Winner

Winner ZKB Pionierpreis Technopark 2026
Prize money: CHF 100,000
Founded: 2022
15 employees
Headquarters: Zurich
https://rtdt.ai

Sensor patches for next-generation wind efficiency

RTDT Laboratories develops sensor patches for wind turbine rotor blades. The system, called Aerosense, consists of self-adhesive strips measuring up to 40 cm in length, 16 cm in width, and just 4 mm in thickness. Sensors embedded within these patches measure dynamic pressure, vibrations, and mechanical loads acting continuously on the rotor blades, providing operational data directly from real-world conditions.

The patches are flexible, allowing them to conform to the blade geometry, while remaining highly durable. They are designed to operate continuously for at least one year under harsh climatic conditions and at rotational speeds exceeding 300 km/h. Integrated photovoltaic cells supply power, while data is transmitted wirelessly to a gateway at the top of the turbine and from there uploaded to the cloud, where a digital twin of the rotor blade is created. Reliable transmission of large volumes of data under these conditions required RTDT to adapt the Bluetooth firmware used.

Specialists from turbine manufacturers and operators can directly compare the raw data with flow simulations, accurately assess pressure distributions, and further develop both blade geometry and control algorithms in a targeted way. Corresponding projects with wind energy companies are already underway. The ETH spin-off’s business model combines hardware sales with an annual subscription for data and analysis software.

Industrial production of the hardware is currently being tested. If successful, manual sensor assembly will be replaced by fully automated manufacturing through a Swiss partner, reducing production costs by more than 70%. Two patents covering hardware and software have been granted, with two further applications pending, including one for the flexible sensor casing.

The next step is already planned: the automated feedback of analysis results into the machine control system without expert interaction. In addition, further application areas are emerging, including wind tunnel testing and modern rigid yacht sails.

“With the prize money, we can finance the developer working on control optimization software for another year,” says CEO Imad Abdallah. “Equally important are the intangible benefits. I attended the Pionierpreis award ceremony for the first time last year and saw the level of reputation the award brings to the winner.”

“The efficiency of wind turbines is a key lever in the energy transition. RTDT stands out with a technologically leading solution that seamlessly integrates sensor technology, AI-driven analytics, and control systems—delivering a significant improvement in both economic performance and operational lifespan. From its visionary concept to its advanced engineering execution, this solution represents a genuine technological pioneering achievement.”— Lothar Thiele, Jury Chair