Can you introduce yourself?
I am Manuel Silva, president and founder of SAS HD_Signs, based in Avignon. The company is developing its “HD_Global” project for greater road safety and greener mobility: in this regard, HD_Signs has obtained the “GreenTech Innovation” label for its project, which models an innovative approach to road weather analysis.The HD_Global concept applies a scientific, metrological, and digital philosophy based on road infrastructure, relying on proprietary and patented technology: augmented and connected traffic signs (European patent) capable of analyzing traffic and weather and sending the measured data in real time to computer servers to generate a unique database (worldwide patent). Focusing on an industry and a sector of activity that is becoming as digital as it is technical, our solution generates a unique map layer that will provide enhanced road weather awareness: To meet user needs by providing predictive road weather informationwith a weather awareness environment that exceeds the capabilities of onboard sensors on modern (connected and autonomous) vehicles.
To offer local authorities an unparalleled decision-making support tool for road network managers to ensure a better level of service consistent with efficient and environmentally friendly handling, particularly during winter maintenance periods. In France, the deployment of 10,000 smart units will constitute a technological building block that will cover all weather-sensitive road areas, across all road networks, including secondary roads, with an average of 1 station per 100 km, located where road weather phenomena begin. This data market is colossal, driven by a changing road environment; the need is exponential, and the global offering is currently being created.
HD-Global Architecture (HD-IT) For those who are unfamiliar with you, could you explain how your service offering directly aligns with the Ministry’s public policies? The project is related to the Mobility and Sustainable Transport sector and focuses on Intelligent Transport Systems, Road Safety, and the Information Highway. The era we are living in is one of the greatest periods in the history of the automobile since its creation, with colossal challenges. In a competitive and international political and economic context, this project, with its high technological added value, is strategic, and the company promises to contribute to France’s influence by positioning France as a leader in the sector.
- HD_Signs will own the largest fleet of road weather stations in the world: a world first “made in the SOUTH Region.” The project is unique, and its international focus will bring it to scale, with the ambition of deployment in Europe and beyond. This strategy involves working with partners through a consortium that will become the European benchmark organization for predictive road weather. In societal and economic terms, and in a changing road environment, the company is tapping into a rapidly growing automotive data market with exponential needs, as confirmed in studies by Frost & Sullivan and Capgemini.
- The technological relevance of the HD-Global project fits perfectly with the current philosophy and the “France Relance” plan. Periods of adverse road weather have a significant impact on the economy in general, including in sparsely populated areas where this constraint is magnified (less maintenance, little or no road surface treatment in winter, lack of information, etc.)
and this contributes to further widening the gap between urban and rural areas. Yet, regardless of the area, the ability to remain mobile is crucial, as it determines access to amenities and various health, education, consumer services, and also employment. Changing weather constraints affect car use and make mobility more difficult in sparsely populated areas. The world of the road and the dangers that accompany it are therefore omnipresent in our daily lives. The challenge of tomorrow is to
HD_Global contributes to
reducing inequalities between territories by providing advance warnings to all road users and providing them with localized information on motorways, national roads, as well as departmental and municipal roads. HD_Global constitutes a disruptive technological innovation that meets latent global demand and the demands of new markets in our modern society; it also represents a radical change in concept for customers, based on a new economic model that delivers greater benefits at a lower cost. Beyond the fact that the project aims tofacilitate mobility and significantly reduce the number of road accidents resulting from adverse weather conditions,
The technologies used are virtuous and have been designed to be consistent with sustainable development and the government’s “Climate Plan”: – Energy autonomy– Road systems that are both discreet and effective
– Circular economy concept – Carbon footprint limitation– Incentives to reduce the production of exhaust gases and other fine particles
– Societal impact, improving quality of life and changing population behavior
– Economic model based on the functional economy that prioritizes use over purchase – Greener road maintenance (higher-performing, consistent, and responsible service levels) – Significant reduction in the burden on local authorities with an associated positive fiscal impact – Improvements and adaptations to road infrastructure – Contribution to preparing for the arrival of autonomous vehicles, which are unable to navigate in adverse weather conditions. At the national level, the project’s economic contribution is reinforced by its organization, which provides for the production of the devices 100% in France, in the “SOUTH Region.” HD_Global will create a significant amount of direct and indirect employment in the region; moreover, the consortium with French partners will also contribute to this and its export.
Principle What have been your recent successes in implementing your project?
Contacts are currently underway with various entities (industrialists and other meteorological experts, etc.) with a view to a possible merger within the framework of the consortium project. Furthermore, the company benefited from various support and certifications in 2020:
As of November, as part of its development, the HD_Global project was selected to join the European “SPACE ENDEAVOUR and IoT” acceleration program, overseen by CNES and ESA (European Space Agency). Last October, the Ministry of Ecological Transition selected the HD-Global project, led by HD-S, among the 32 winners of the sixth “GreenTech Innovation” class. The HD-Global project was labeled an “Innovative Project” by the SCS Global Competitiveness Cluster.
HD-Signs was labeled a “REMARKABLE INITIATIVE,” a recognition awarded to companies that adopt a responsible approach, supported by the “Initiative France” network. HD-Signs is a member of “FrenchTech Grande Provence.”The HD-Global project is supported by the “SUD Region,” BPI France, and Vaucluse Provence Attractivité. These recent successes have accelerated the development of the project, the result of work initiated 18 months ago;
- This spotlight on the company, with a more structured project, has gained credibility. This allowed us to open fundraising applicationswith private investors: this is the right stage.
- What are the next challenges your startup/SME is likely to face? The company will have to: Get through the economic and health crisis without being overly impacted
- Raising €1 million in funds (by March 2021) Begin studying the project to deploy aroundone hundred devices in the Vaucluse department (pilot site).
- How have you adapted to the current economic and health crisis? The economic and health crisis has caused a significant delay in the progress of the project, impacting HD_Signs’ business directly, of course, and also indirectly: by affecting our subcontractors and other external design firms. We have had to adapt and organize ourselves, because all the difficulties resulting from these events have already caused a significant delay estimated at around one year.
- This has resulted in the various stages of the HD_Global project launch schedule being reconsidered over time and in light of current events. The company’s workforce at the end of 2020 was four, and this year, we only completed one of the four initially planned hires (we should have had seven full-time employees). The other three hires have been postponed to 2021, thus delaying the following ones accordingly.In terms of revenue generation, and considering recent events, barring any additional unforeseen circumstances,
- this now leads us to revise our revenue forecasts, with a view to starting operations in spring 2021.The exceptional financial aid provided useful support to the company during this difficult time, but the suddenness of the first lockdown and the associated lack of visibility prevented us from making the best use of these funds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ8YIiKDwQI
