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14 Jan 2025
An innovative solution for industrial compliance, combining AI with a simplified interface: this groundbreaking technology for the industry, praised by the press, is the result of a collaboration between Icam’s Toulouse campus and SEB Lourdes, a global leader in small household appliances !
The SEB factory in Lourdes joined forces with engineering students from Icam’s Toulouse campus to address a critical industrial challenge : ensuring conformity between laser engravings on products and the reference labels on their packaging.
Until now, this verification process was performed manually by operators or maintenance technicians, which was time-consuming, demanding, and prone to human error. To overcome these constraints, SEB Lourdes turned to Icam’s expertise.
Effective collaboration between Icam and SEB Lourdes
Six fifth-year students worked on the project as part of their scientific and industrial dissertation, with the final phase led by Maëlie Rivières and Samy Teffahi.
“We had an excellent collaboration with SEB Lourdes teams. They gave us a tour of the factory, explained their processes, and outlined their expectations. It was crucial for us to understand their challenges. After extensive research on new technologies, we tested various solutions against SEB’s requirements until we found the best one,” explained Maëlie and Samy, supervised by project manager Louis Sage.
This complementary duo — Maëlie focusing on the interface and Samy on artificial intelligence (AI) — worked efficiently alongside SEB Lourdes teams, who maintained open communication and provided regular feedback.
Samy and Maëlie with Louis Page
An innovative technological solution with measurable benefits
After several months of work, the team developed an innovative solution integrating AI with a simplified human-machine interface (HMI).
The core technology is based on the “YOLO v11” model for deep-learning-based image recognition, combined with an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) system. The device automatically analyzes engravings and labels after an operator captures two photos via the HMI, which has just two buttons. The fully autonomous system compares the elements, identifies discrepancies, and highlights them in red, making it easier for operators to verify the data.
The newly developed tool represents a significant advancement for SEB Lourdes and the industry as a whole. This AI-powered solution serves as a reliable decision-making aid that reduces operators’ mental load and improves quality control. It addresses a critical strategic need: preventing labeling errors, which can be costly in terms of time, money, and environmental impact.
Positive Reception in the Industry and Media
With this new tool, SEB Lourdes and Icam are paving the way for reliable, human-augmented automation tailored to the varied needs of industry. Since its implementation, this innovation has garnered interest from several other companies in the industrial sector, recognizing its strategic potential. “This solution is indeed replicable and can be applied to other areas within the industrial sector,” said Maëlie and Samy, who expressed pride in their work. The SEB project offered students a valuable opportunity to apply their knowledge and deepen their expertise.
“I’ve always been interested in AI, and this project not only allowed me to consolidate my skills but also taught me a lot, especially about client relations,” explained Samy.
“Through the SEB project, I confirmed my passion for IT and AI, gained deeper insights into the field, and understood the significant demand for it in the industrial sector,” added Maëlie.
This major innovation has received not only industry acclaim but also attention in local and national media. Articles covering the project can be found in :
– La Vie économique du Sud-Ouest,
– La Revue du Digital,
– Offrir international,
– La Dépêche du midi,
– Actu.fr,
– Efinews.ai.