Drones and Autonomous Driving
Drones
Anyone wishing to fly or operate a drone at ETH must comply with the legal requirements of the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA).
Registration:
Drone operators must register with the FOCA (Federal Office of Civil Aviation). After successful registration, a UAS operator number is issued, which must be clearly visible on the drone.
external page FOCA drone registration in dLIS
Pilot training:
A drone certificate is required to fly a drone. This requires training and passing an examination. Persons operating drones weighing less than 250 g are exempt.
Drone classification:
Drones must have a CE marking and a valid classification in accordance with EU drone regulations (open category). Drones without classification may not be flown in the open category.
Special categories and categories requiring approval:
A permit from the FOCA is required for drones in the special category or category subject to licensing.
Insurance:
Proof of insurance with a minimum cover of at least CHF 1 million is mandatory for the operation of a drone.
Contact person for proof of insurance:
VP Finance & Controlling: sheila.elsener@fc.ethz.ch
Obligation to report:
Accidents involving drones must be reported to the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB). Other incidents and special occurrences that impair or may impair flight safety.
Automated Driving
Journeys with automated (autonomous) vehicles as part of events on the ETH site must be registered in good time with the authorization office of the Campus Services department. All necessary official permits must be available.
The provisions of the Road Traffic Act (SVG) and the Ordinance on the Technical Requirements for Road Vehicles (VTS) apply to journeys. In such cases, a permit from the competent cantonal road traffic office is required. external page The Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) is the central point of contact for questions relating to the licensing and operation of automated vehicles.
Dangerous Goods
Lithium ion batteries are classified as dangerous goods according to transportation law. Find out about the provisions on transport and disposal here.