infinity is a digital platform managing virtual reality trainings to sustainably increase work safety developed as part of an intrapreneurship project with Leonard.
Neoratech designs personal protective equipment with embedded technology for technicians working in danger zones. Their first products are intended for technicians working on electrical installations (Construction, Mobility, Industries and Energy).
What drives you to work in the professional safety sector?
Helen Bartmann : All VINCI Energies business units around the world take the same approach to accident prevention to achieve the shared goal of “Zero Accidents”. Through digital solutions, I am convinced we can contribute preventively to this goal.
Mathias Arbet-Pont: The genesis of the Neoratech project began during our double Master’s between the Troyes business school from which I came and the EPF of Troyes (engineering school) from which Thomas came. We have worked in collaboration with Enedis during one year to solve the problems of insecurity of their technicians on the electrical networks. Our proposal being considered as relevant and acclaimed by Enedis, we created the company Neoratech at the end of our studies. For 5 years now, we have been committed to offering the best protection solutions to professionals putting their lives in danger to ensure the proper functioning of our electrical installations and to allow us to move, work or play.
What solutions do you propose?
Helen Bartmann: infinity offers general and job-specific VR training on one platform. The VR trainings can simulate the real work environment using 3D scanners and drones. Virtual reality is particularly worthwhile when the real experience is expensive, dangerous, or even impossible. For example, employees can train to extinguish a fire without having to set a dedicated training place on fire and without any health risks. There are no limits to virtual reality trainings, which is why we chose the project name infinity.
Mathias Arbet-Pont: We have developed the first electrical protection glove integrating a Voltage Absence Verification measuring device. This product, CheckGlove, requires technicians to wear gloves to carry out their manipulations while gaining in ergonomics and therefore in time. To go further, we also offer a digital display on the visor of the helmet. This product, CheckHelmet, responds to a second problem for the most mature companies in the use of Personal Protective Equipment: the fact of not lowering the visor of the helmet. With our CheckHelmet product, the operator is forced to lower his visor to access his measurement information. We believe this innovative and intelligent equipment will allow technicians to work more easily and safely.
How do employees take ownership of your solutions?
Mathias Arbet-Pont: We have directly co-developed our products with technicians on the ground. Our products are therefore fully adapted to the different needs of the ground, whether in terms of functionality or ergonomics. Our products are therefore eagerly awaited by end users for their practical gain as well as for the technological contribution to equipment that has not or very little evolved for decades.
Helen Bartmann: As far as VR is concerned, a study has found that employees in VR courses can be trained up to four times faster and are up to 275% more confident in implementing what they learn after training. In addition, VR learners felt 3.75 times more emotionally connected to the content than classroom learners, and they were up to four times more focused during training than their e-learning peers (source: PwC VR Soft Skills training Efficacy Study, 2020).
Do you see possible complementarities between your two projects?
Mathias Arbet-Pont: I totally see the complementarity between our two projects. Indeed, our products are necessary for technicians in the field to protect them from the dangers of their environment. INFINITY’s solution could make it easier for us to train technicians in the proper use of our equipment, while being in a secure environment.
Helen Bartmann: VR training focuses on the time before employees are deployed to the field to ensure that each employee is trained on potential risks and is well educated on work procedures. This means that we also train the employees in advance on the correct personal protective equipment. It is essential to wear the appropriate PPE when carrying out the work and when this is enhanced and improved by products such as the CheckGlove, this provides great added value.
Contacts :
Mathias Arbet-Pont : mathias.arbet-pont@neoratech.com
Helen Bartmann : helen.bartmann@vinci-energies.de
