SwissDrones CEO and co-owner Ulrich Amberg has been named one of Switzerland’s Digital Shapers for 2026, a distinction recognizing leaders who are actively driving the nation’s digital transformation.
Amberg, a computer science engineer and Harvard alumnus, took the helm of SwissDrones in 2020 following a 15-year career at KPMG. His transition from partner at a global consultancy to entrepreneur was fueled by a specific ambition to modernize industrial aviation. By leveraging autonomous systems, Amberg aims to replace manned helicopters in high-stakes environments, establishing new standards for Swiss precision in the digital age.
Under Amberg’s leadership, the company has secured flight approvals in more than 35 countries. The SDO 50 V3, the company’s flagship helicopter, is currently deployed for disaster response in Japan and has successfully completed pioneering long-range missions across the United States and Australia. These operations demonstrate the system’s ability to remain reliable over hundreds of kilometers, even in challenging weather conditions that often ground smaller drones.
The shift toward these autonomous systems offers significant industrial advantages, including cost reductions of up to 70% and a 95% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional manned aircraft. SwissDrones is currently positioning itself as a global leader in digital infrastructure inspection, supported by strategic partnerships with major firms such as Chevron.
The Digital Shapers program highlights leading minds across ten categories in business, technology, and science. Amberg’s inclusion in the 2026 cohort underscores his commitment to creating tangible value through digital solutions and his role in defining the future of the Swiss technology landscape.
