MAVImplant, an online tool to build workplace 3D mockup

With the aim of addressing the SME’s population, INRS (National Research Institute for Safety and Health) developed an online tool called MAVImplant, dedicated to the design of virtual workplace mockups. The SME’s strategy draws on the idea of proposing an autonomous tool to SME’s managers which will help them in a critical moment, when they are involved in the major investment of their new workplace and production tool.
Users connect to the Web application for free, and build their prospective workplace. They are guided by the software through the main design steps: the building itself, spaces organization, equipments setting, workers positioning, flows and circulations drawing. Information and guidelines dealing with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements as well as the Workplace Design “good practices” are given by the software at each step of the user’s projects. The tool is interactive: the user keys in information, or places 3D objects into the mockup; these actions trigger alert messages which helps him in his progress.
The software draws a 3D mockup with various visualization tools, drawn from “virtual reality” concepts. A report is edited; it contains the project description, its requirements and the mockup selected views. This online tool becomes for the SME owner an appropriate way to exchange about his project with various actors, as the future users, the architect, or concerned specialists. It becomes an appreciated tool at a moment where he feels helpless in his new situation of Contracting Authority. It allows to introduce OHS questions upstream in the project, helping in the implementation of “at the source” prevention actions.
In order to reach its SMEs target, the tool is split into various sectorial applications, putting into action specific job rules. These specific helps and rules have been worked out by expert groups joining sector representatives and OHS experts. The guidelines are simple and not restricting. Practical examples and references are given.
MAVImplant has been launched with two pilot sectors, which are “Baker and Pastry” and “Car Maintenance and Repairs”. The feedback of the users will be collected, and then new professional sector applications will be developed.