All press releases

To meet the needs of all Group customers, EDF R&D's researchers use their skills in a variety of areas: IT, ergonomics, design, mechanics, robotics... bringing together a wide range of skills that have so enriched the Include project, design for all being the common thread. This project focuses all R&D's disability-related work.

Here is a widely accepted definition: "Designing products, services and environments usable by as wide a range of users as possible, without any special adaptation or design". Design for All leads to a fairly simple principle: if we design a product that can be used by those of us with the severest disabilities, the product will also be suitable for those with less serious problems and for the able-bodied... EDF R&D has for many years been actively involved in disability initiatives, which have now been brought together in the Include project. The results include innovations such as eSourds, LABIAO or even RV ACCESS. It is now striving to raise awareness with regard to the need for "alternative design, for the good of all".

A practical application of Design for All. Autonomous self-serviceareas, what are they? They are designed to enable customers to find out about EDF's sales offer without any outside help. Autonomous access.

Helps the deaf and hearing-impaired translate spoken language. On the screen, a virtual head reproduces speech with lip movements and, to avoid any ambiguity, a synchronized hand "speaking" in Cued Speech.This system can be used not only in teaching, but also in the workplace and in social life. the voice of the other person on the phone, a lecturer or a person talking in a meeting is reproduced on the user's computer screen.

A fundamental prerequisite is that web sites must be designed to be accessible by an compatible with existing technical aids. EDF's researchers draw up design recommendations based on international web accessibility rules to facilitate access to their sites.

Since 2002, EDF R&D has been a member of the European Design for All network.
The LABIAO project won the 1st Handinnov national prize in 2004.

Since 2008, EDF R&D has  been working on a project called "Coordination Handicap" which allows engineers to use their R&D knowledge to develop projects from their work.

Assisted aiming device for vision-impaired archers : ORION

Orion system was developed thanks to a joint grant with the Fédération Française Handisport and the Gipsa-Lab (Laboratoire de Traitement d'Image de Grenoble). It is an innovative product which consists of an automated aid to persons with a visual handicap (blind people and persons with a visual impairment) to enable them to practice archery. It can be adapted to any type of arch, pistol and rifle sold in the market. No adjustment of the shooting line is needed. The target does not require any piece of equipment. So, the blind and visually impaired people can practice archery with complete freedom during training and competition. The visually-impaired athlete equiped with this system can compete in any sports events with able-bodied archers. This innovation is recognized by a patent in June 2009.

A virtual reality simulator : ACCESSIM

A virtual reality simulator originated  by a wheelchair-bound EDF engineer working on simulation tools to maintain in nuclear power plants allow us to simulate in urban environments for wheelchair  users on a dynamic platform. Today, ACCESSIM  is integrated in the "Centre de Ressources et d'Innovation Mobilité Handicap" (CEREMH).

A solid, light weight, folding , gliding board : PLIe'L

An EDF engineer specializing in  the resistance of materials for dams created a solid, light weight folding gliding board easily stored on the back of the chair, that allows a wheelchair-bound person to move to other seats. This innovation is recognized by a patent from the INPI. The brand Plie'L was introduced in January 2008.