THE SMART WEIGHING MAT
Discover the collaboration between EFI Automotive Service and the French start-up Altaroad.
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The supported start-up
TopTrack is a dynamic weighing system that measures the weight of a vehicle and its load “on the fly”. A camera is also used to detect the associated number plate. A great tool for load optimisation, thus enabling savings on transport costs ranging between 5 and 10%. As the system is compact and mobile, it is quick and easy to deploy in any type of environment (meeting one of the fundamental constraints of construction sites).
More about AltaroadThe project and its context
Cécile Villette, Bérengère Lebental and Rihab Jerbi are the three co-founders of the start-up Altaroad, which was created to improve the sustainability and safety of road infrastructure. To this end, the company has formed a partnership with the École Polytechnique, the CNRS and the Gustave Eiffel University to develop a machine learning platform and a sensor network capable of collecting data in real time on the vehicles accounted by the system.
Their solution, based on the TopTrack weighing belt, enables better monitoring of waste on a construction site and was the winner of the European Innovation Council competition in July 2020. Concurrently, a digital solution – called DigiTrack and connected to the government’s TrackDéchets platform – has been developed to ensure the traceability of the data collected by TopTrack.
The project in video
Project milestones
September 2020
INITIAL CONTACT PHASE
The start-up contacted our teams through the Group’s industrial accelerator – Axandus.
October 2020
PRODUCTION OF PROTOTYPES ON A LINE DEDICATED TO THE PROJECT
Our teams assembled around ten systems to test the product in real conditions.
November 2020 – March 2021
MANUFACTURING PROCESS IMPROVEMENT PHASE
During this period, the manufacturing process was optimised to make the project more easily industrialisable.
September 2021
PRODUCTION OF NEW TOOLS AND PROTOTYPES
After tooling modifications following the previous stage, the teams once again produced prototypes.
December 2021 – January 2022
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PHASE
The teams and the start-up worked to optimise the weighing system’s sensitivity.
February 2022
CUSTOMER TESTING PHASE
The teams went to the customer’s premises to carry out a series of tests.
September 2022
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE START-UP ABOUT THEIR SECOND GENERATION OF MATS
InTrack, the new weighing system integrated under the asphalt was in the final phase of development.
December 2022
AWARD OF A FINANCIAL GRANT
The Altaroad teams submitted an application to obtain subsidies to make further progress on their R&D. After several weeks of waiting, the teams received a favourable response.
January 2023 – Now
DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTRACK SOLUTION
For over a year now, the start-up's teams have been focusing on developing their solution, InTrack. It is supposed to be installed under roads, and it now includes an additional problem.
Our added value
Within the framework of this project, one of EFI Automotive Service’s first in the support of innovative companies, we were able to offer Altaroad our expertise in the following areas:
- Setting up a production line: 100 m² dedicated to the production of weighing systems.
- Implementation of a double industrial support, both on the product and on the manufacturing process.
- Management of the supply of raw materials for the prototypes and suggestions for the optimisation of certain components to improve the performance and assembly of the product.
This project illustrates that our teams can perfectly support an innovative start-up/company that has already designed its first prototypes. The support offered is therefore adapted to the degree of progress of each project.
Project key figures
10%
reduction of transport costs thanks to TopTrack
0
paper and contact to use the solution
-7%
impact on CO2 emissions
100%
of reliability for the capture of number plates
Project key figures
10%
reduction of transport costs thanks to TopTrack
paper and contact to use the solution
-7%
impact on CO2 emissions
100%
of reliability for the capture of number plates
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Delair Marine
THE SMART UNDERWATER DRONE
Discover the collaboration between EFI Automotive Service and the French start-up Delair Marine.
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THE SUPPORTED START-UP
Seasam is the first compact underwater system capable of autonomous operations. Designed for professional use, it can be used to locate and track specific targets or perform complex operations such as ship hull inspection or leak detection. Delair Marine also offers a second solution for individuals with its drone, iBubble EVO. Offering a unique experience, it is intended for individuals, diving centers or yachting enthusiasts.
Learn more about SeasamTHE PROJECT AND ITS CONTEXT
The story of Delair Marine begins with a group of passionate divers and drone experts who, during their explorations, had the idea to design an autonomous underwater drone. To turn this idea into reality, they recruited a multidisciplinary team of embedded software developers, mechatronics experts, innovative marketers… and of course, EFI Automotive Service, through Axandus – the EFI Automotive Group’s industrial accelerator.
This first offer, aimed at recreational diving and yachting, was successful and the company has now extended its range with a solution aimed at professionals and scientists. In addition, it is now possible to collect and analyse the data gathered by these drones through Delair Marine’s Cloud service. Possible applications range from coastal infrastructure analysis to ship hull inspection and search and rescue operations.
Formerly Notilo Plus, the start-up was acquired at the end of 2022 by Delair – an international provider of high-performance drone-based solutions – and renamed Delair Marine.
This trusting partnership ensures the impeccable quality of our products, and enables us to be reactive in the event of modifications to the production process of our “Made in France” drone.
The project in video
PROJECT MILESTONES
April 2018
INITIAL CONTACT PHASE
The start-up contacted our teams through the Group’s industrial accelerator – Axandus.
September 2018
REDESIGN AND QUALIFICATION OF THE PRODUCT
The product requires some design adjustments in order to be industrialized more easily.
September 2018 – March 2019
STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRODUCTION LINE
The teams design and operate an assembly line of 120 m² common to the different products of the start-up.
April 2019
START OF PRODUCTION PHASE 1
After a conclusive test phase, the teams officially launch the production of the underwater drone, iBubble.
January 2020
START OF PRODUCTION PHASE 2
After adapting the line, the teams officially launch the production of the underwater drone, Seasam in addition to iBubble.
January 2020 – October 2022
MAINTAINING THE PRODUCTION
The teams maintain a close relationship with those of the start-up and are currently working on projects that will see the light of day soon, in parallel with ongoing production.
November 2022
LOWER PRODUCTION VOLUMES
In recent months, production volumes have fallen due to difficulties encountered by the start-up.
January 2023
DELAIR ACQUIRES THE START-UP
After financial difficulties, the company was officially bought out in early 2023. This led to a name change, with Notilo Plus becoming Delair Marine.
March 2023
MAINTAINING THE PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMPANY
Our teams and those of Delair Marine met to discuss the partnership. By mutual agreement, it was decided that this collaboration would continue.
January 2024
DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW EVOLUTION
Delair's teams have been busy with drone production (due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict), but at the beginning of the year, an evolution of Seasam was born: Hull Scan.
May 2024
NEW ORDERS IN SIGHT
Recent developments are beginning to attract interest, and a new order has been placed.
OUR ADDED VALUE
Within the framework of this project, one of the first of EFI Automotive Service, in the accompaniment of innovative companies, we were able to propose to Delair Marine these various know-how:
- Standardization of the product, particularly in terms of screwing, in order to facilitate assembly operations and limit the risk of error
- Setting up a flexible multi-reference island: 140 m² dedicated to the production of these underwater drones, acquisition of new skills for our teams via this project (multi-layer electronic assembly, handling of aspect parts, waterproofing, etc.)
- Management of deliveries and after-sales service: implementation of the entire supply chain up to direct shipment to customers (individuals and professionals worldwide – including customs management)
KEY FIGURES OF THE PROJECT
440
iBubble EVO manufactured
90
Seasam manufactured
120 m²
of assembly line dedicated to this project
3
specially trained operators on the production line
100 m
of maximum depth
4
hours of underwater autonomy
7
number of engines equipping the drones
2
solutions proposed by the start-up Delair Marine
KEY FIGURES OF THE PROJECT
440
iBubble EVO manufactured
90
Seasam manufactured
120 m²
of assembly line dedicated to this project
3
specially trained operators on the production line
100 m
of maximum depth
4
hours of underwater autonomy
7
number of engines equipping the drones
2
solutions proposed by the start-up Delair Marine
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Do you have a project?
Hoverseen
THE AUTOMATIC VIDEO SURVEILLANCE DRONE
Discover the collaboration between EFI Automotive Service and the French start-up Hoverseen.
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THE SUPPORTED START-UP
Hoverseen has developed a drone-based video surveillance system, which allows interventions in sensitive areas 24/7. This system’s main added value lies in its complete automation, as the drone can take off alone, follow a predefined route and then land on its station to be recharged. In addition, the drone’s control and recharging base is equipped with weather sensors to determine whether the flight can take place. It is also very durable and is designed for mobile use.
Learn more about HoverseenThe project and its context
Aerial drones have many advantages: they are light, fast, always available and their prices have become quite reasonable. They therefore make it possible to observe an area at any time, and without the need to put a physical person at risk. Applications can be surveillance rounds, land use analysis or monitoring of delivery movements…
Until now, these drones have exclusively been remote controlled, sometimes through a particularly complex interface. Hoverseen’s proposed solution integrates a control and recharging base that allows the pre-programming of flight plans, which the drone will then carry out in complete autonomy. In addition, it is equipped with a weather station that can determine whether the flight conditions are favourable. The drone can also take off and land without human intervention.
The project in video
Project milestones
July 2021
INITIAL CONTACT PHASE
The start-up contacted our teams through the Group’s industrial accelerator – Axandus.
September 2021
TEAM TRAINING AT HOVERSEEN
The teams visited the client for a week to learn about the product and acquire the necessary knowledge.
October 2021 – April 2022
PROTOTYPING PRODUCTION
The teams start the design phase of the prototypes for the start-up.
July 2022
DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW VERSION
Our teams worked on tropicalising the base. A cooling system and a heating structure have been developed to optimise the product's operation in extreme temperatures.
November 2022
IMPROVING PRODUCT DESIGN
Plans to improve the design were being discussed, but the client needed additional capital and was in the process of raising funds via a fundraising campaign.
November 2022 – Now
MINI-SERIES ASSEMBLY PHASE
The start-up's CEO has been canvassing sales for over a year. Our teams regularly produce systems so that he can demonstrate them and win contracts.
Our added value
Within the framework of this project, one of EFI Automotive Service’s first in the support of innovative companies, we were able to offer Hoverseen our expertise in the following areas:
- Design and production of prototypes: on this occasion, our teams managed to reduce the base’s assembly time from 5 to 3 days
- Provision of a 30 m² pressurised room allowing the teams to work in a controlled environment
KEY FIGURES OF THE PROJECT
50 kg
weight of the control and recharging base of the drone
50 km/h
maximum speed of the drone
25 min
maximum autonomy
585 gr
weight of the drone
KEY FIGURES OF THE PROJECT
50 kg
weight of the control and recharging base of the drone
50 km/h
maximum speed of the drone
25 min
maximum autonomy
585 gr
weight of the drone
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PALO IT
THE ANTI-COUNTERFEITING SYSTEM
Discover the collaboration between EFI Automotive Service and the French company PALO IT.
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The supported company
The device is an anti-counterfeiting camera connected to a base, which in turn enables a smartphone to be positioned, containing the software that analyzes a product’s authenticity and traceability. The device was designed at the request of a French luxury brand whose products all feature an engraved anti-counterfeiting device enabling the after-sales services of its sales outlets to verify authenticity and obtain data on the product’s origin, precise model, etc. This luxury house called on PALO IT to design and prototype the product and software
More about PALO ITThe project and its context
PALO IT is an international innovation consultancy and one of the leaders in software development. Founded in 2009, the French company now has a presence on 4 continents and employs some 650 people. In response to a requirement from a major luxury brand (whose name must remain confidential), PALO IT’s teams developed a solution to meet an essential need faced by luxury brands: authenticating and tracing the origin of products.
To meet this need, PALO IT has demonstrated its ability to innovate and to think in terms of the solution as a whole, proposing creative solutions with high technical content and added value. This project is based on a work methodology that goes from the exploration of an idea to the launch of industrialization with EFI. The project went through all the industrialization phases, including prototyping and feasibility validation, conception and design of the target solution, production of several pilot versions, field testing and product improvement, right through to validation of the final solution.
In partnership with Axandus to design the casing and the camera, we chose to collaborate with the EFI Automotive Service teams for the industrialisation of this product.
Project milestones
September 2021
INITIAL CONTACT PHASE
The company contacted our teams through the Group’s industrial accelerator – Axandus.
February 2022
REDESIGN AND QUALIFICATION OF THE PRODUCT
The product requires some design adjustments in order to be industrialised more easily in conjunction with Axandus.
March 2022
PRODUCTION OF PROTOTYPES FOR TESTING BY THE CUSTOMER
The teams assembled around 30 prototypes in order to obtain feedback from the end customer.
August 2022 – November 2022
PRODUCTION OF PRE-PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FOR CERTIFICATION
Our teams have been able to make progress on obtaining approval for international shipment, but depending on the country, the waiting times are more or less long.
December 2022
START OF PRODUCTION
After obtaining the right to ship the products (in some countries, others were still in the process of being validated), production of the systems was able to begin.
January 2023 – July 2023
MAINTAINING PRODUCTION
Over the last few months, dozens of products have been shipped to the USA and Canada. Customer feedback has been more than encouraging, with 100 products produced to date.
October 2023
OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL HOMOLOGATION
It is official! Our teams have validated all the compliance requirements imposed by each country and were able to dispatch all the products manufactured.
December 2023
IMPROVING PRODUCT DESIGN
Our teams and those of the customer were able to work on a second version of the product, enabling us to make economic gains and resolve a number of technical problems.
January 2024 – May 2024
VALIDATION OF PROTOTYPES
Having validated the prototype of the proposed new version, the customer placed a new order for 200 units. This was carried out by our teams over the last few months.
Our added value
Within the framework of this project, one of EFI Automotive Service’s first in the support of innovative companies, we were able to offer PALO IT our expertise in the following areas:
- Obtaining all the elements necessary for the international marketing of its product on behalf of the client, including the customs code and various certifications (CE, etc.).
- Acquiring valuable new skills for our teams in the course of this project, demonstrating that supporting innovative companies is a mutually beneficial exchange.
Key figures of the project
30
prototypes assembled by our teams
20
pre-production systems assembled by our teams
36
countries where the luxury house’s points of sale are located
85
systems ordered by the end of the year
Key figures of the project
30
prototypes assembled by our teams
20
pre-production systems assembled by our teams
36
countries where the luxury house’s points of sale are located
85
systems ordered by the end of the year
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Do you have a project?
Safehear
THE HEARING PROTECTION OF THE FUTURE
Discover the collaboration between EFI Automotive Service and the French start-up Safehear.
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THE SUPPORTED START-UP
Louis is an ergonomic and compact box connected to a hearing protector that allows people working in a noisy environment to communicate while protecting themselves from noise pollution. Louis was developed in collaboration with industrialists to better meet their needs. In the midst of the surrounding noise, it is able to recognize the users’ voices so that they can communicate in real time and in a “natural” way.
Learn more about SafehearThe project and its context
The Safehear adventure began with the response to a constraint: to enable employees working in noisy environments (industrial sites) to communicate without latency and without risk of hearing loss. Héléna Jérome and Antoine Kuhnast, co-founders of the French start-up, hired partners from the major players in the in-ear market and research institutes to develop their solution. The outcome was a Made in France product named Louis; it is now promoted by a dynamic technical and commercial team.
We are very happy to work with EFI Automotive Service for our first steps in the world of industrial/series production. In addition to benefiting from quality work, it is also a guarantee of strong credibility for our partners.
The project in video
Project milestones
October 2021
INITIAL CONTACT PHASE
The start-up contacted our teams through the Group’s industrial accelerator – Axandus.
May 2022 – November 2022
PROTOTYPING
The teams start the design phase of the prototypes for the start-up.
December 2022
PROPOSAL OF SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE PROJECT
Our teams have already proposed to the start-up to go further, by suggesting improvements for the second version of Louis.
March 2023
END OF COLLABORATION WITH OUR COMPANY
With no further need for our services (prototyping), the Safehear teams decided to end their industrial collaboration with our company.
Our added value
Within the framework of this project, one of EFI Automotive Service’s first in the support of innovative companies, we were able to offer Safehear our expertise in the following areas:
- Design and production of prototypes (80 planned by 2023)
- Provision of a 30 m² pressurised room allowing the teams to work in a controlled environment
KEY FIGURES OF THE PROJECT
20
prototypes made to date
100 dB
maximum sound volume in which Louis can operate effectively
29 dB
of maximum noise level reduction
10 h
of autonomy
15 m
maximum range between two users
30 gr
Louis’ weight
2
years of research and development to create Louis
3 h
required for a complete recharge
KEY FIGURES OF THE PROJECT
20
prototypes made to date
100 dB
maximum sound volume in which Louis can operate effectively
29 dB
of maximum noise level reduction
10 h
of autonomy
15 m
maximum range between two users
30 gr
Louis’ weight
2
years of research and development to create Louis
3 h
required for a complete recharge
Are you interested in our support?
Do you have a project?
