In a world where manufacturing demands are increasing in complexity, a fresh approach rooted in simplicity is reshaping the landscape. Etienne Lacroix, founder of Vention, has pioneered a platform that leverages the principles of modularity and digitisation, similar to LEGO, to make industrial automation more accessible, efficient, and scalable. His vision has turned Vention into an industry leader in the integration of design, automation, AI, and robotics.
Vention’s platform offers an end-to-end digital solution. Engineers can design machines using CAD in a web browser, automatically generate a bill of materials, place orders, and even program automation logic, all within the same environment. This approach drastically reduces time-to-market and minimises cost overruns. It has earned Vention a strong customer base, including early adopters like General Electric and Tesla.
A striking example of Vention’s capabilities is its work with an online food marketplace that needed a fully automated bin retrieval and packaging system. The Vention team delivered a fully functioning solution in just eight weeks, a timeline almost unheard of in traditional manufacturing settings. This speed is made possible by the platform’s 2,500 modular parts and unified software environment.
Rather than chase the elusive goal of artificial general intelligence, Vention focuses on practical, domain-specific AI applications. Lacroix emphasises integrating the best available AI models into their tech stack to assist with tasks such as image segmentation, pose estimation, and autonomous path planning. This pragmatic approach accelerates the adoption of robotics and automation in small and medium-sized manufacturing environments.
Although Vention’s physical operations are concentrated in North America and Europe, the platform serves manufacturers globally. Lacroix acknowledges that customisation will be key for expanding into developing markets like India, where automation needs differ significantly. For now, the focus remains on deepening capabilities in current markets.
Vention aims to make digital twins an integral part of machine design, allowing businesses to simulate, iterate, and validate their designs before deployment. This vision promises to reduce risks and enhance return on investment for SMEs investing in automation solutions. With plans to expand robotic capabilities and cloud-based SCADA features, Vention is poised to redefine the future of connected manufacturing.
