Swissloop Tunneling rethinks tunnel construction

The student initiative develops innovative micro tunnel boring machines in Dübendorf that aim to make underground infrastructure faster, more cost-effective, and more sustainable.

Swissloop Tunneling is a student association founded in 2020 by students from ETH Zurich and the University of St. Gallen (HSG), bringing together disciplines ranging from mechanical engineering to business. Their first machine was named Groundhog—after one of nature's most creative tunnel builders.

In 2021, the team proved its capabilities in the Nevada desert. After thunderstorms and sandstorms, only two teams qualified for the final round. Swissloop excavated more than 18 meters and won the Innovation & Design Award.

At the heart of the team's latest development is Groundhog Beta, which can print structural tunnel walls while drilling, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-processing. After winning innovation awards and finishing second overall in 2021 and 2023, the team claimed the Champion Award at the Not-a-Boring Competition in Bastrop, Texas, in 2024.

Swissloop What began as a competition team has since evolved into a deep-tech incubator for advanced underground robotics. The association actively cultivates entrepreneurship: Under Industries, its first deep-tech spin-off, is already commercialising these technologies to modernise utility grids worldwide.

Thanks to the park's combination of networking opportunities, testing capabilities and infrastructure, Swissloop Tunneling can turn ideas into practice faster than would be possible anywhere else.