Innovation

The recently founded Cegelec 3S business unit worked with the MoHo project factory to develop a mobile security entrance system called “SWIFT’N PROTECT”. Jean Loop, Business Unit Manager of C3S within the Pôle VEF Tertiaire Grand Ouest talks about the innovation.

Can you tell us more about Cegelec 3S?

Cegelec 3S was founded on 1 January 2018 to combine the ELV expertise of two business units, Cegelec Camps Tertiaire and Masselin Tertiaire. The “3S” term stands for our three key categories of expertise: systems, safety and security.
We operate throughout Normandy. We have 28 employees and generated €5.5 million in revenue in 2018.

What is MoHo?

MoHo is the name given to the new SchooLab set to open in Caen in 2020. The 7,200 square metre space is designed to gather students, researchers, startups, SMEs, medium-sized companies, large groups and citizens from around the world. Their shared objective will be to work and live together to invent the world of the future.

How did you get involved in the project?

MoHo is a public interest initiative supported by the Caen la Mer urban community, the Normandy region and a private international sponsorship campaign.
Since we actively participate in the life of our city and are one of the businesses selected to build the structure (via Masselin), we decided to support the novel project as a sponsor.

Why did you work with MoHo to develop an innovation?

We set up an innovation unit within Cegelec 3S in January and decided to earmark €40,000 to €60,000 for R&D. Innovation is part of our DNA. When MoHo suggested we, as a sponsor, submit a bid on the first call for projects, we decided to make the most of the opportunity. Our bid was selected as one of the 15 projects to be incubated for five months.

What were the key stages of the project?

SWIFT’N PROTECT originated in a single question: How can we improve security at the entrances to buildings?
A group of four students with skills that formed a good fit was appointed to delve into our topic.
The support is divided into three phases: feasibility study and business model; financial and marketing support; and finally prototyping and industrialisation.
Following the incubation, the project was officially presented at an awards ceremony held to recognise the best project. We were very proud to win the first prize among the 15 projects presented.

SWIFT’N PROTECT: What is it and how does it work?

SWIFT’N PROTECT is an interlocking door system that improves security at building entrances.

The interlocking door system is equipped with:
– scanners and sensors to determine what the person entering the building is carrying
– a shape recognition system to identify illicit objects.

Each person entering the first door is scanned. The light turns green if the inspection is accepted and red if it is not. In the latter case, the doors of the interlocking system are then locked and a security guard is required to open them.

In what way is this system an innovation?

The system uses object detectors rather than metal detectors. It does not require people to remove their jacket, belt or any objects containing metal parts. This substantially speeds the access control process.
The solution enhances speed, security and throughput. SWIFT’N PROTECT takes inspiration from the airport sector and has the added benefit of being mobile so it can adapt to peak traffic at certain access points.

It also comes with several levels of protection: blast resistance, non-return system, access for persons with mobility impairment, etc.
No similar solution is commercially available and the system meets a genuine current need.

What are the next steps, and how far have you got?

We enrolled the students in a four-month internship to enable them to finalise the project. We need to create partnerships with manufacturers, technically validate the time required for a person to move through the security entrance and create a full-scale system in order to undertake commercial development and marketing. This innovation must benefit all VINCI Energies business units.