From ETH Zurich to global robotics pioneer

ANYbotics was founded as a spin-off from ETH Zurich with the vision of creating an autonomous robot workforce for industrial applications. "Robots are not new, but working autonomously in complex environments is. We wanted to develop robots that can really work side by side with humans," explains Robert MacKenzie. The four-legged robot "Animal" is the company's flagship: it navigates independently through industrial plants, collects data, measures temperatures, checks gas values and detects anomalies - and does so over several floors, even on rough ground and in changing conditions.

ANYbotics has succeeded in turning university research into a market-ready product that is now used worldwide in chemical plants, the energy sector, mining and renewable energies.

Practical application: Robots in tough industrial environments

A particularly vivid example is the deployment at Givaudan Firmenich, a chemical company near Zurich. "Animal runs daily inspection rounds there, climbs hundreds of steps, measures at various measuring points and provides a digital image of the system. This gives operators a holistic overview and allows them to optimize processes," says MacKenzie.

The robots take on tasks that are dangerous, monotonous or simply unoccupied for humans. They collect data in places that are difficult to access, detect faults at an early stage and help to operate systems more efficiently and safely. The fields of application range from the chemical and energy sectors to mining and renewable energies.

Trust and acceptance: man and machine as a team

A key issue in the introduction of autonomous robots is people's trust in the technology. "Robots must fit seamlessly into human working environments. This starts with interaction - operation must be intuitive and safe - and extends to the question of how robots behave when humans are nearby," emphasizes MacKenzie.

ANYbotics relies on the highest safety standards, obstacle detection and a design language that is reminiscent of animals: "Our robots don't look like humans. That makes them more likeable and less threatening for many people. They are like animal helpers that support, not replace."

Acceptance in the industry is high - not least because many companies today can hardly find personnel for dangerous or monotonous tasks. "Our robots take on jobs that nobody wants to do anymore. Acceptance is high because they take work off people's hands, not take it away."

Introduction and change: training for man and machine

The introduction of robots is not only a technical challenge, but also a cultural one. "It often starts with training people and breaking down their fear of the new technology. As soon as the first experiences are made, most people see the advantages and regard the robot as a helpful colleague," reports MacKenzie.

The robots themselves also have to be trained - they learn to move in changing environments, recognize obstacles and react to unforeseen situations. The interplay between human experience and machine learning is crucial for success.

Leadership in the AI and robotics era

As a manager in a high-tech company, MacKenzie relies on clear principles:

• Balance between discovery and implementation:"You have to constantly learn new things, but you also have to deliver. In a company like ANYbotics, there are many unknowns - that has to be part of the corporate culture."
• Co-elevation:"Teams grow together when they support each other and achieve goals together."
• Psychological safety:"Innovation can only arise in an environment in which questions and criticism are openly possible."
• Automation mentality:"Every task should be checked for its automation potential. This is a key competence for the future."

MacKenzie emphasizes how important it is to set clear goals, actively share knowledge and enable quick, decentralized decisions.

The next generation of robotics: Embodied AI and new capabilities

Development continues at a rapid pace. "The next big step is embodied AI - robots that not only perform movements, but also plan, learn and adapt to new situations independently. Multimodal sensors, touch and cloud-based coordination will make robots even more versatile," says MacKenzie.

Technologies such as Google DeepMind Gemini and Nvidia Newton show how robots will be able to handle complex tasks with greater precision and flexibility in the future. The combination of advanced hardware, AI and cloud integration opens up completely new possibilities.

Switzerland as a location for innovation: opportunities and challenges

ANYbotics is an example of how Swiss innovation is having a global impact.
"Switzerland is a leader in research and development, but there is still room for improvement when it comes to transfer to industry and financing growth. We need more courage to think big and implement innovations," says MacKenzie.

He sees Switzerland as a deep-tech nation with excellent talent, but would like to see more support in the transition from research to market maturity - for example through targeted investment, open regulation and stronger networking with international partners.

Robots as partners for humans

ANYbotics and Robert MacKenzie stand for a new generation of AI-driven robots that not only achieve technical masterpieces, but also solve real problems - and think of humans and machines as a team. "Robots are successful when they empower people, not replace them. The future belongs to those who shape technology with responsibility, openness and team spirit."

The story of ANYbotics shows: When vision, engineering skills and courage come together, robots can not only make the world of work more efficient, but also more humane.

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About the AI Talk podcast
AI Talk is the podcast about artificial intelligence in Switzerland - with real movers and shakers, experts and decision-makers from tech, research, politics and business. Hosted by Stephan Lendi and Dalith Steiger-Gablinger, each episode of the podcast highlights new perspectives on innovation, responsibility and the concrete application of AI technologies. Whether ethics, regulation, talent development or deep tech - AI Talk combines personal insights with strategic foresight.

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