Floating Robotics AG
Swiss ETH Zurich spin-off that developed cable-driven robots for autonomous greenhouse harvesting and de-leafing; entered liquidation in April 2026.
Floating Robotics AG was a Swiss agricultural robotics startup headquartered in Schlieren, canton of Zurich, Switzerland. The company was a spin-off from the Robotic Systems Lab (RSL) at ETH Zurich and focused on developing cable-driven robotic systems for greenhouse automation tasks such as harvesting and de-leafing.
The company's core innovation was a cable-driven floating robot architecture, in which cable winches are mounted inside the robot body rather than externally, enabling compact form factors and relatively simple deployment within greenhouse environments. This design allowed the robot to operate across large working areas while maintaining a small footprint and avoiding complex rail or gantry infrastructure.
Floating Robotics targeted the labor-intensive horticulture sector, where chronic labor shortages drive demand for automation solutions. Its robotic system combined a robotic manipulator arm with onboard cameras, machine vision algorithms, edge computing, and AI-based object recognition to identify, grasp, and pick or prune produce—such as tomatoes or cucumbers—without damaging the fruit or plant. The system was designed to work within industry-standard greenhouse structures.
The company was founded in 2019 (with some sources citing 2023 as a formal registration date) and received support from several Swiss innovation programs, including MassChallenge Switzerland, Google for Startups, Gebert Ruf Foundation, Venture Kick, and VentureLab. It won a prize in the Best AI/Robotics category at the Global Deep Tech Battle. Total disclosed funding was modest, estimated below $200K.
Floating Robotics had approximately four employees at its peak. Despite recognition in Swiss startup communities and collaboration with ETH Zurich's RSL, the company was unable to reach commercial scale. The bankruptcy court of the District Court of Dietikon opened insolvency proceedings against Floating Robotics AG on 21 April 2026. The company is currently listed as 'Floating Robotics AG in Liquidation' in the Swiss commercial registry (Moneyhouse). The company's LinkedIn and Crunchbase profiles remain accessible as historical records.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Greenhouse Harvesting Robot
De-Leafing Robot
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Contact Floating Robotics AG
WEBSITE
https://www.floatingrobotics.com/PHONE
+41 44 633 84 93HEADQUARTERS
Switzerland
Company Facts
Founded
2019
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
-
Primary Region
Europe
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
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