The 3 winning start-ups of the Digitize Existing Project

These innovative digital solutions represent a major technological advance to support professionals in the energy renovation of buildings sector and thus facilitate and encourage work. A more topical subject than ever, mentioned in Emmanuel Macron's last speech on the modernization plan, as well as the debates of the Citizen's Convention for the Climate.

Digitizing what already exists: an unprecedented challenge for digital solutions more suited to the energy renovation of buildings

Among the themes of the 9 projects of the national PROFEEL program, the “digitization of the existing” constitutes the starting point of any renovation operation. Digital technology, and in particular 3D building modeling, is indeed a powerful design and sales tool: it makes it possible to shorten processes and reassure customers.

"The challenge of the project is to reduce digitization costs, improve the quality of data entry and simplify the ergonomics of the tools, to make them more accessible to the professionals concerned, in order to carry out a more precise, rapid and economical diagnosis at the time. to establish energy renovation work scenarios ”.
- Xavier Bernard, AQC project manager, project leader

The project team, led by AQC and ADN Construction, launched a challenge between start-ups in the fall of 2019. These were to propose the development of a digital solution in the form of a web platform or application for smartphone or tablet, interoperable with BIM software, intended for building professionals working for a particular client (VSE and SMEs in priority ). 30 applications were received, including 4 finalists, then 3 laureates were chosen by a jury made up of building and digital innovation professionals, benefiting from a global endowment of 420 euros.

The PROFEEL program, launched in April 2019 by Minister of State François de Rugy and his Secretary of State Emmanuelle Wargon, is dedicated to technological innovation in the service of the energy renovation of buildings and is part of the Plan Initiated by the government in 2018. Led by 16 professional organizations, it consists of 9 operational projects, which aim to develop and provide concrete tools and solutions accessible to building professionals, upstream, during and after renovation work.

3 winners for 3 innovative digitization tools

Bimeo and its ARtoBuild solution, LevelS3D and WiseBim are the 3 winners of the challenge Digitize the existing. The start-ups will benefit in the coming months from financial and technical support from the PROFEEL program to integrate new functionalities into their solution, which they will have to test in stages by beta users. The first deliverables of the tools should be finalized in autumn 2020, followed by new versions or functionalities in the first half of 1.

The 3 winning solutions:

ARtoBuild by Bimeo
Ultra fast and precise 3D scanning in just a few clicks

ARtoBuild is an unprecedented solution developed by Bimeo, a collaborative BIM platform, intended for building professionals, awarded in 2019 at the BIM d'Or and Construction Trophies ceremonies. This application, compatible with the latest iPad pro for its ultra-precise sensor (Lidar technology), allows you to scan in 3D simply and quickly any room.

From its interface, the parts are assembled and the digital model is generated in. The financing of PROFEEL allows Bimeo to develop new functionalities, such as the management of the thickness of the walls, the addition of objects such as radiator, lighting, etc., or even the possibility of annotating the model with quotations.

S3D Capture of LevelS3D
App, cloud and AI for full 3D rendering

LevelS3D is a start-up founded in 2012 by Yannick Folliard, labeled JEI (Young Innovative Company). It designed the S3D Capture mobile scanning application, accessible and at low cost in the form of subscription or fee-for-service offers, compatible with smartphones and tablets equipped with an integrated depth sensor (compatible with the Ipad pro ).

Based on point cloud technology, it makes it possible to scan a home as easily as by filming, then automatically and instantly generate the 3D model. Thanks to project funding, LevelS3D plans three development phases for new functionalities: pre-positioning of point clouds, addition of photos for a more realistic rendering, and integration of AI to identify objects and building elements in 3D.

WiseBIM2BIM plans
The unique innovation that transforms 2D plans into 3D

WiseBIM is a start-up from the Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA) created in 2017 which supports real estate asset managers in their digital transition from building to BIM. Plans2BIM, its software in SaaS mode, currently being deployed, will be available on subscription or by tokens. Based on algorithms, this solution can automatically and very quickly transform any 3D architectural plan into an IFC 2D model, as well as edit and enhance the model, via the online platform, without having to go to the site. The funding obtained allows the start-up to finalize the development of the software, including modules to quickly obtain the dimensions of interest as well as to assemble the different levels of the building into a single model.