From December 3 to 7, 2018,the Institut Arts et Métiers Laval and Laval Mayenne Technopole jointly organized the 8th edition of the MayAM (Mayenne Arts et Métiers) Skills Challenge, a program bringing together Arts et Métiers students Arts et Métiers companies in Mayenne to encourage innovative projects.
Concrete projects serving businesses in Mayenne
32 students from the MTI3D Master's program at the Institut Arts et Métiers Laval had one week to come up with concrete solutions for seven companies in the Mayenne region (Résidences Maintien Adom, CPAM de la Mayenne, Jouve, Lider, MPO France, Poupin, Studio Version 2) on topics related to innovative technologies (virtual reality, augmented reality, connected objects, 3D printing, etc.). The aim of this challenge is to be able to present projects that can be directly applied within the company and to bring forth innovative ideas," explains Simon Richir, head ofthe Institut Arts et Métiers Laval.
Our students are directly confronted with the issues faced by participating companies and must respond to their needs. This is an opportunity for them to test ideas and use the skills they have acquired during their studies. It is a real step into the business world.
A win-win challenge: five days for three concrete ideas
After visiting the companies and learning about their innovation needs, the seven teams had five days to come up with three concrete ideas under the watchful eye of their coaches from the companies, schools, and Laval Mayenne Technopole. Throughout the program, students were able to draw on the technical resources of the LAMPA research team at Arts et Métiers, Laval Mayenne Technopole, and its partners. For Christian Travier, director of Laval Mayenne Technopole, "MAYAM is a simple and inexpensive way to initiate innovation in SMEs. It gives them access to skills that are not available in-house and allows them to gather new ideas. It's a win-win challenge."
From idea to actual project
On Friday, December 7, at the Laval Virtual Center in Changé, ajury composed of engineers who graduated from Arts et Métiers professionals specializing in innovation and new technologies evaluated the seven teams in competition and awarded the 2018 MayAM Skills Challenge prizes to the best projects. At the end of the competition, more than half of the ideas proposed by the students will be transformed into real business projects!
Results of the 8th edition of the Mayenne Arts et Métiers Skills Challenge
The students presented their models and demonstrators to the jury members, who awarded the following prizes:
The Creativity Award was awarded to Charlotte DUBOSC, Kévin FOURNIER, Kaourantin LE NOAN, and Adèle VAILLANT, along with their business coach Tony BONNET, for their work for theJOUVE
The project: an augmented reality assistant for company operators responsible for checking and validating photos for official documents.
Award presented by Audrey LECOMTE, project manager at Laval Mayenne Technopole and coordinator of the digital sector in Mayenne.
The Grand Jury Prize awarded to David COIGNARD, Edwin HARAGOVA-MACHARD, Félix MOQUET, Morgan TISSET, and Victoria ROULLAND, and their coaches Wilfrid REILLON and Valérie JOLIVET, for their work for the company Résidences Maintien Adom.
The project: a virtual companion to reduce boredom, encourage social interaction, and monitor residents' health.
Award presented by Vincent BOUVET, Caisse d’Épargne Bretagne Pays de la Loire, partner of the Skills Challenge.
The Technical Achievement Award (best demonstrator) and the MAYAM Trophy, awarded to Antoine ANET, Maxime BARRE, Thomas JEAN-LOUIS, Maxence PETITJEAN, and Sarah LION, and their business coach Sylvin of MAGNIENVILLE, for their work for the company MPO France.
The project: a mobile app to increase the content of vinyl records produced by the company.
Technical Achievement Award presented by Stéphane HERVE from Technology Everywhere (who won the same award with his team in 2017), and MAYAM Trophy presented by Gilbert PAULEZEC, Fondation Arts&Métiers.
