New robotics investment
The Spicehaus Swiss Venture Fund II completed its first investment into DAAV SA. DAAV is a spin-off of EPFL and offers a mobility solution to transport passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) at airports semi- or fully autonomously from the check-in to the respective gate. The mobility solution consists of a fully autonomous vehicle, the DAAV-air, which is operated by DAAV’s proprietary software. It can either drive autonomously or automatically follow a human or another vehicle in a «follow-me» mode. The movement mechanism used in the DAAV-air is based on a novel and patented technology developed through years of research at EPFL by co-founder Mohsen Falahi.
The company offers its solution in a mobility-as-a-service model for airports. The company does not manufacture any hardware, but uses its own software with existing devices. The main advantages of the DAAV solution compared to the previous method, where people with reduced mobility are accompanied individually by airport staff, are increased efficiency for airports (potential cost reduction of 40%) and an improved customer experience. Airports in Europe and the USA are obliged to provide PRM services free of charge to all passengers. Airports are faced with increasing demand for PRM services as well as a shortage of skilled workers and cost pressure. DAAV’s mobility solution therefore addresses a significant problem. DAAV is already being used in pilot projects at European and Asian airports.
Spicehaus acted as lead investor. The funding round was completed by Kickfund, TR Invest and Dieter Streuli. Dieter Streuli is the CEO of Airline Assistance Switzerland AG. He also sits on the Board of Directors of DAAV. The official press release can be found here.
