The idea for Insens was born in 2019 while Guillaume Francaux, Nicolas Verbeek and Gautier Waterlot were still studying at UCL. For two years, they were in contact with companies to refine their idea. “We went into industry and asked as many questions as possible to understand their problems”. Two major problems emerged from their field study: there are a huge number of machines powered by electric motors that regularly break down, and these same machines consume a lot of energy, with an efficiency that could be improved, according to the three founders of Insens.
To address these two issues, the three decided to develop an in-house solution that fits in the palm of your hand. A sensor, which is placed in the cabinet, the electrical cubicle linked to the machine. By placing itself there, the start-up records all the information on the state of health of the machine and its consumption. “The sensor records all the electrical signals associated with the machine. We can monitor the entire energy component”. But that’s not all, because the energy aspect, which is logically very popular with companies at the moment, is enabling the start-up to demonstrate its expertise in predictive maintenance to its first customers. “By measuring electrical signals very precisely, we are able to diagnose the state of health of the machine from an electrical and mechanical point of view”, explains Guillaume Francaux, one of the three founders.
