An AI tool from a French start-up could make it easier for people to 3D print missing or broken parts for everyday appliances, or even redesign their interiors.
Chat3D uses widely accessible technology to generate virtual 3D objects, with the option to print them out as physical items for the home.
Its co-founder Félix Balmonet said: “You can use it to replace a missing knob on your washing machine, make a custom phone stand, or to print out decorations and small gifts.
“You don’t even need to print things to use 3D tools. You can play with furniture layouts in your home, for example - some people use it to redesign their kitchens.
"Or you can design a piece of jewellery to visualise an idea in 3D before making it real. Like when photo editing arrived, it’s not just for professionals anymore.”
He told The Connexion more about his company, which has gone from two founders to a team of 25 in less than a year, and discussed the future of AI innovation in France and Europe.
Origins of the idea
Mr Balmonet, 24, from the east of France, created the company with British co-founder Glenn Avezoux, a friend from engineering school in Lyon.
“We had already come up with a business idea aimed at making 3D printers more accessible,” he said.
“But we realised that the printers themselves weren't the problem. The problem was the software used to create 3D models, which was too technical to use, with a complex graphical interface. AI can simplify this.”
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Their business helps people create 3D content with only text descriptions, sketches or photos. Once a virtual model is generated, users can ask for elements to be amended “like having a super-assistant or stagiaire”.
Its main client base is the creative industries, who use their software to create detailed 3D images to use in creations such as films and games.
“We work with animation studios, virtual reality studios, visual effects and CGI studios - even people in the live entertainment industry, for example, to make holograms.
“At the beginning of October we also launched a version for the public, where you can test out an application for yourself by visiting chat3d.”
Virtual 3D models can be created of anything you can imagine and changes are easy to makeChat3D
Accessible for all
“You can just upload an image. Take a photo of a chair, for example. In two minutes, the software will recreate a 3D model from that.”
The process generates a standard file, equivalent to a “PDF for 3D”.
“For 3D printing, you put it on a USB stick, take it to the printer and print it out, as simple as that.
"However, our professional clients will work with their artists and readapt the colours and fine-tune the shapes.”
Mr Balmonet said 3D printers are now widely accessible.
“You can find them for €100, it’s going to be one of the most popular Christmas gifts. You can create all sorts of things out of similar plastic to Lego.
“Or you can also go to 'Fab Labs', which are places that have 3D printers available - it costs just a few euros to print objects out.”
Chat3D on the global tech stage
Félix Balmonet (left) and co-founder Glenn AvezouxChat3D
The company has established good relationships with several global tech firms.
“We go to California a lot to connect with OpenAI, with Nvidia,” said Mr Balmonet. “When you're working with AI, there's a training phase before the software is released when we need access to computing power.
“We also have our own in-house researchers. Today, there are 25 of us.”
Chat3D has received the official label Jeune Entreprise Innovante de recherche.
“That means we develop technology that requires PhDs in-house, people who are going to work on fundamental things to develop something innovative, which gives us access to tax credits.
“We also have the ‘DeepTech’ label from BPI [a public sector bank], which gives us access to financial resources and aid three or four times more than that of a normal company.
“We’ve now raised €3million, mainly from French business angels and venture capitalists.”
Mr Balmonet added: “What we really like when we go to California, is all the energy. It’s really a breath of fresh air.”
What the future holds
Mr Balmonet thinks Europe is too timid in its approach to innovation.
“We would like to compete with US players. We would like to have our own OpenAI. But we regulate in a way that tends to slow down businesses.
"Whereas in the US, given that they are engaged in a trade war with China, it is in their interest not to regulate so they remain the leaders.
“We believe that we in Europe would be better off regulating in a protectionist way. The US is becoming more protectionist, protecting its tech. In Europe, we regulate, but without being protectionist. We seek to protect citizens, which is good, but it’s slowing us down.
“For example, they could choose, when issuing calls for tenders, to give preference to European companies, to earmark funding to build a European leader.”
He added: “Europe has a lot of talent. We have inexpensive, very high-quality education, as well as salaries with a structured social system that are affordable for businesses compared to those in the US. These are very big assets that the US doesn't have.”
However, he said “being responsible” is part of his firm’s ethos, for example using only ‘ethically-sourced’ (eg. non-copyright) material for training software, and allowing users to remain sole owners of their content.
“Today, we have a strong position because all our competitors are American or Chinese. What sets us apart is precisely this ethical consideration, which is because we're a European player. That's why producers of large video games come to us.”
France has other strengths, he outlined: “We have a very high level of maths. There are many Nobel Prize winners in mathematics. The quality of research is very good, even if there is underinvestment in public research. And we have inexpensive electricity.”
He added: “AI is a new interface between machines and humans. It will diminish the importance of technical skills and promote creativity and reflection.
“Artists have been forced to master software, which is very demanding for them. Having software that is much simpler, but just as powerful, allows them to work faster, better express what they want to do, and removes that barrier.
“We see AI as a tool, not something that will be autonomous. It’s a continuum of development that began with James Watt or Thomas Edison.
“It is bringing about transformations in society, just as the internet has.
“As a tool, from an artistic point of view, it is very powerful. We make sure that it serves artists, rather than getting rid of them.
“Some Silicon Valley or Chinese firms think we should replace people, but that’s not the vision we have.”
