TIME has included five Swiss innovations on its latest list of 200 best inventions. Notably, four of these originate from young companies. They are active in a diverse range of sectors, including medtech, cleantech and sport, reflecting the comprehensive scope of Switzerland's innovation landscape.
The selected inventions:
Carevix by Aspivix:
Carevix is an innovative, soft-suction cervical device designed as a modern and gentler alternative to a cervical tenaculum when stabilization of the cervix is needed, aiming to significantly reduce trauma associated with pain and bleeding. Carevix has been clinically proven to be non-traumatic during transcervical procedures. The device received FDA-clearance, CE-Mark and MHRA (UK) and ANVISA (Brazil) approvals, and is available for commercialization in Switzerland, other countries will be available in the upcoming months. (Picture above)
ARC-EX by ONWARD Medical
ONWARD ARC Therapy is targeted, programmed spinal cord stimulation designed to be delivered by the Company’s external ARC-EX or implantable ARC-IM platforms. Use of non-invasive ARC-EX Therapy significantly improved upper limb function after spinal cord injury in the global pivotal Up-LIFT trial, with results published by Nature Medicine in May 2024. The Company has submitted its regulatory application to the FDA for clearance of the ARC-EX System in the US and is preparing for regulatory submission in Europe. ONWARD plans to launch the therapy later this year, pending a positive decision from FDA.
EVx by Energy Vault
The EVx Gravity Energy Storage Sysetem leverages principles of gravity energy storage and modern engineering to provide large-scale storage with no performance degradation over time. Unlike traditional storage, EVx uses environmentally-friendly composite blocks—crafted from local materials and waste byproducts, such as mine tailings, coal ash, and fiberglass from decommissioned wind turbine blades—to create an adaptable, circular energy solution that is both economical and sustainable. Currently being commissioned in Rudong, China, EVx ™ will soon be the world’s first grid-scale gravity energy storage system, with nine deployments underway, totaling more than 3.7 GWh.
Cloudboom Strike LightSpray by On
LightSpray uppers aren’t built like traditional shoe uppers. They’re precision made in a fast, one-step manufacturing process, automated by a robotic arm at the On Labs in Zurich. The result is a one-piece upper that is ultra-light and provides exceptional fit and support, making it ideal for race day. The ultra-thin and seamless design minimizes distractions and even eliminates the need for laces. The revolutionary LightSpray one-step manufacturing approach also paves the way for more sustainable manufacturing in the future. The fully automated process reduces waste and produces an upper with 75% fewer carbon emissions than On's other racing shoes. On athletes were intimately involved in the design and testing of this technology and shoe. Earlier this year, Hellen Obiri, 4x World Champion runner, wore a development version of the Cloudboom Strike LS when she won the Marathon in Boston.
In addition, two other Swiss inventions were selected for the list:
Ubisim, the world's first immersive virtual reality simulation platform for nursing education created by nurses. Ubisim was a Swiss start-ups which was acquired by Labster in 2021 and moved its headqarter to Montreal in the meantime.
Roche HPV Self-Collection Solution - In a healthcare setting, an individual collects their own sample, which is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Those who receive a positive HPV result would then continue their care with a healthcare provider. HPV self-collection offers an accessible screening option.
To compile this year's list, TIME solicited nominations from TIME editors and correspondents around the world and through an online application process, paying special attention to growing fields—such as health care, AI, and green energy. TIME then evaluated each contender on a number of key factors, including originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact.
Of the list, TIME’s editors write: “The result is a list of 200 groundbreaking inventions (and 50 special mention inventions)—including the world's largest computer chip, a humanoid robot joining the workforce, and a bioluminescent houseplant—that are changing how we live, work, play, and think about what’s possible.”
See the full list here: time.com/best-inventions-2024.
(Press release / SK)
Picture: Carevix by Aspivix