“Even people who have never had anything to do with augmented reality before should be able to use it.”

Why did you decide to study at ETH?

Kordian: Initially I wanted to study business administration as I had already founded a company when I was at middle school. In my gap year, I rediscovered my passion for technology and so I opted for studies in mechanical engineering at ETH, from which I graduated in 2020.

Lukas: In 2020, I finished my Master’s in “Food processing” at ETH. But I have always been interested in new products and innovation. So I worked on projects beyond the remit of my field of study, for example in material sciences. I have never been solely focused on food sciences.

Where does your interest in AR technology come from?

Kordian: I am fascinated by the fusion of real and virtual worlds. What excites me about “augmented reality” is the fact that you still see the world around you but additional information and objects can be incorporated. For my Master’s thesis, I investigated human behaviour; namely how the next actions of people wearing AR glasses can be predicted on the basis of their hand and eye movements, by showing warnings in the user’s field of view.

Lukas: I met Kordian at a networking event organised by the ETH Entrepreneur Club and spent a long while chatting with him. I was very excited by AR technology and was convinced of its potential the first time I set eyes on it. So we kept in touch.

Could you tell us a little about how Rimon Technologies came about?

Kordian: It actually all started with Instagram. I used to run a channel with my former co-founder. We used this channel to regularly show what we were investigating in our Master’s thesis. AR technology was still relatively new at the time and we attracted the attention of various companies and people – via Instagram alone. We concluded that a lot of people were interested in what we were doing. So in 2020 we founded the company and our first clients soon followed. This meant that our finances pretty much looked after themselves right from the start.

What position is the company in now and what can your AR glasses do?

Lukas: We are currently working on eight projects for customers. Either we train service technicians or the AR glasses are used directly in practical applications. Swissgrid, for example, operates substations for power distribution. And these have to be inspected or checked. Our software, which also tracks eye movement, supports the technicians on the ground. For another customer, we are training service technicians in how to operate major pieces of machinery, which automatically process cables. They are guided through the process one step at a time, delivering a rapid learning effect. So-called “just-in-time” training, in other words training provided just before deployment, is gaining in importance for another of our customers (a company which installs heating technology).

Your website features a “self-service platform” - how does that work?

Kordian: Because the technology is still very new, we have several projects which are at the “proof of concept” stage or in the pilot phase. We have recently set up this platform for those companies which are already planning practical deployment. They can upload their instructions, photos and 3D images to this website in a simple template. By means of an app, this information can then be used individually with AR glasses.

Lukas: Our aim is for people who have never had anything to do with AR before to be able to use it – without any prior knowledge whatsoever. We have specialised in service technicians. We hope that our AR software provides a simple solution for inspections, maintenance work and training.

What plans do you have for the future?

Kordian: Our main goal is for our technologies to be used by businesses on a daily bases. The step from pilot phase to operational is an important one as this is the only way in which the benefits can be seen. This is where there is demand for our support and where we will be able to position ourselves on the market. We also want to expand, to attract customers from outside Switzerland and gain more insights.

Lukas:
Of course, what would be really exciting is companies which are based in Switzerland but operate globally. Then our technology could ensure a better flow of information around the globe, especially in the area of service technology.

Kordian:
But for that to happen, people need to be a bit more accepting of AR technologies and get a bit more used to them. When Bluetooth headphones first came out, a lot of people said that they looked odd. Now, you see them everywhere. We hope that users will get used to the software in AR glasses in the same way.

What motivates you in your work at a personal level?

Lukas: I have always put a lot of thought into what I would like to do for a living and where I would like to do it. I can now say that I am very close to what I have always wanted. The team I work with and the topic of my work really mean that I enjoy working at external pageRimoncall_made. The direct feedback you get from working in such a small team is highly motivating. I also love the idea that I can provide our customers with real benefits.

Kordian: I am excited by gaining insight into different companies and seeing how processes are integrated. I love being able to share my fascination in AR technology with others. We are still at the “greenfield” stage of this technology. There is still a lot of wiggle room and I enjoy trying out the different possibilities it offers.

Do have any personal tips for students at ETH?

Kordian: If at all possible, I would recommend taking on a practical project during your course. It might be worth taking a break and seeing how a start-up works. This is a great way of learning how project management and team work play out. I would found a company as soon as you graduate as you are not yet tied down at that stage.

Lukas: I have always made the best decisions in life when I have been doing something that I really want to be doing. It may be a slight exaggeration but: everyone should listen to their heart when making decisions. If you are seriously interested in something, you should have the courage to pursue it.