Artibat 2025, spotlight on the first trends and technological events serving construction professionals

The leading Artibat trade show will, as is traditional, fully embrace its role as a showcase for building trends. Artibat organizers have already announced that they have planned some exciting highlights to offer visitors seeking innovation and forward-looking perspectives a wide range of pragmatic solutions.

Indeed, by establishing multiple partnerships with players whose forward-looking vision is recognized and undisputed, Artibat will once again be at the heart of the challenges facing professionals.

For Valérie Sfartz, General Manager of the Artibat trade fair: « The world is changing. Technologies, led by AI and robotics, won't replace the human hand that builds, but they will certainly become essential to support it on a daily basis, reduce arduous work, and even help find new avenues for development. The goal of these events is to inform and raise awareness among professionals about the technologies at their disposal, for a profession that is connected to the world around it. »

To do this, meet at the Collab'Zone, an immersive space of 400 m² Hall 2/3, promoting a vision of building and gesture, accompanied by cutting-edge technologies where robots and artificial intelligence serving the sector will be presented.

Enough to awaken and question professionals on current and future uses and opportunities.

The Collab'Zone: a forward-looking space serving innovation in the construction industry

To imagine and structure this laboratory of ideas within the show, Artibat turned to trusted partners: Nantes University and the Nantes Atlantique School of Design.

This collaboration between university expertise and creativity makes it possible to explore innovative approaches to meet the challenges of the construction industry.

An immersive workshop was organized with Digital Design master's students from the Nantes Atlantique School of Design to explore innovative solutions and support the construction sector's transition to digital and robotics. After an in-depth reflection phase and the selection of a promising concept dedicated to the safety of professionals in urban environments, named Plot Safevest, students from the IUT of Nantes University took charge of the engineering.

Developed at Halle 6 Ouest, a testing center dedicated to innovation, this project relies on a smart device combining sensors and protective equipment. Integrated into construction site bollards, these sensors detect any nearby movement and instantly alert professionals via vibrations on their vests. A simple and effective solution for limiting the risks associated with the coexistence of construction sites, pedestrians, and soft modes of transport.

This project benefited from the technological expertise of Nantes University, an institution at the heart of research excellence, bringing together renowned local players in innovation and industry. The sensor supports, designed by Mechanical and Production Engineering students using CAD software, were 3D printed using powder and resin sintering technologies, ensuring optimal adaptation to urban environments and construction sites.

An innovation that will be unveiled in preview and which fully illustrates the Artibat show's role as a catalyst for expertise. The organizers are delighted that two major institutions, Nantes University and the Nantes Atlantique School of Design, have invested time and contributed their expertise to solving a problem specific to the construction industry on a challenge as significant as that of professional safety.

In the Collab'Zone, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the latest technological advances combining robotics and bio-sourced materials. These innovations, from the laboratories of Nantes University, reflect the dynamism of research in these fields:

• A robot capable of printing raw earth, adapted to construction requirements, developed in part at Halle 6 West by the LS2N laboratory and IRDL, as part of the ITA (Inclusivity in Additive Earth) project with the company SAPRENA.
• A brick-laying cable robot, illustrating advanced building automation, developed by the LS2N laboratory and the Ecole Centrale de Nantes.

The process to be presented perfectly embodies the convergence of tradition and innovation. Three complementary techniques will be implemented: 3D printing by depositing earth in cords, laying raw earth bricks (whose ecological, thermal, and natural benefits are well-established), and the use of robots to assist professionals, thus reducing the arduousness of the work.

These two events, presented by specialist researchers from Nantes University, will allow visitors to discuss the concept, implementation and engineering of the projects, as well as their areas of application.

For Christophe Binetruy, Vice-President Halle 6 West – Nantes University: "Through its participation in the ARTIBAT trade fair, Nantes University aims to highlight the excellence of research conducted in civil engineering and construction. Through these innovative collaborative projects involving students and local partners, and these internationally renowned research projects presented at the trade fair, Nantes University supports its region and assists professionals in the development of their professions, particularly in terms of the transition to digital technology, accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainable development."

For Florent Orsoni, Director of Foresight and Professionalization at the Nantes Atlantique School of Design: "This project perfectly illustrates the role of design in technological innovation. By combining a user-centered approach with the possibilities offered by robotics and digital manufacturing, the students have developed a pragmatic and immediately applicable solution. It is a concrete demonstration of how design can support the transformation of the construction industry."

In an effort to enrich the offerings presented to visitors, the show organizers have decided to include not only innovative projects in the design phase, but also solutions already on the market. This approach aims to offer a wider range of options to professionals seeking concrete, immediately usable solutions.

The Collab'Zone: turnkey solutions around AI and emerging technologies

Seven partner companies will present their innovative solutions aimed at improving the safety of professionals, reducing the arduousness of tasks, increasing productivity or offering new offers to their customers.

ATOMPEINT: the wall paint printer

ATOMPEINT will showcase its robotic printer capable of painting patterns generated by artificial intelligence directly onto walls. This technology offers an additional service to customers while optimizing the work of professionals in the sector.

LA VITRE: immersive videoconferencing

With its human-sized interactive screen, visitors will be able to test La Vitre, which facilitates remote communication by offering an immersive and fluid experience.

This solution aims to promote collaboration between construction sites and design offices to reduce travel and optimize project management.

BPARTNERS IA: AI for roof maintenance

Designed for roofers and local authorities, this process uses artificial intelligence to analyze high-resolution aerial images, particularly in the field of roof maintenance and repair. This orthorectified aerial image analysis technology allows roof condition assessments to be performed with an accuracy of 5 cm. This solution saves valuable time for roofers by automating diagnostics and optimizing quotes, while expanding their response capacity.

CARLITA: reducing the difficulty of laying tiles

The startup ROBOTILE will showcase its equipment designed to reduce the arduousness of tiling work, particularly in large formats. At the Carlita trade show, it will unveil a "tiling companion" capable of handling and laying tiles more efficiently, improving on-site performance while reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders for professionals.

PACO: the robot assistant for professional painters

PACO, a robot for painters. An innovation worth discovering that aims to reduce the physical strain on professional painters while improving their productivity. Designed by Les Companions, this robot, with an articulated arm reaching 3,5 meters, automates up to 85% of renovation painting work. This is a first step for this startup, which is launching its first crowdfunding campaign and plans to further develop its robot for sanding and finishing work.

SISYFBOTS: tool holders for collaborative robots

A tool holder for collaborative robots will be tested at the show. The tool holder is used to attach and adapt specific tools to robotic arms to facilitate tasks such as assembly, screwdriving, and handling.

This tool holder, compatible with Universal Robots, allows flexibility in use depending on the difficult or repetitive tasks to be performed.

SECURISPOT: detection of risky situations

Artificial intelligence is being used for prevention. This is what FastPoint will be presenting to visitors curious to try out this innovation.

This alert system for preventing accidents on construction sites detects dangerous situations (not wearing a helmet, man down, intrusions, etc.) and generates real-time alerts to improve worker safety.

To be continued : A major project, led by Nantes University and its many partners, will complete the Collab'Zone. A symbol where the power of working together allows for the realization of large-scale projects...