A look back at the I-Factory open day, a place designed to create

A day immersed in the heart of innovation

Throughout the day, visitors were able to explore the various spaces that define I-Factory:

• flexible open-plan offices, creative spaces like Cogito and Eurêka, and even a panoramic terrace, perfect for relaxation;
• the “Rice Field,” a welcoming, tiered hall ideal for conferences and informal gatherings;
• an environment where the furniture is made from local and recycled materials, giving the building a warm and sustainable character.

With more than 50 events planned each year, including conferences, guided tours, open houses, and FabLab workshops, I-Factory is poised to become a true source of inspiration.

Inria will be there: demonstrations, meetings and technological immersion

At the inauguration, the Inria Centre in Lyon occupied a space to unveil its work, projects and teams.

In the robotics hall: mobile robots and drones in action

Throughout the day, the AGORA and CHROMA teams welcomed visitors for guided tours of the robotics hall.
The demonstrations of Crazyflies drones, capable of swarming, particularly impressed attendees, as did the presentation of Diablo, the rolling robot used for self-deploying cellular networks.
The public also had the opportunity to discover Mirokai, the robot designed by Enchanted Tools, for which Inria is developing social behaviors.

On the 4th floor: a lively and friendly residents' village

In a spirit of discovery and exchange, the Residents' Village allowed visitors to meet those who bring the I-Factory to life on a daily basis through demonstrations, quizzes, and informal discussions on the rooftop.

On the Inria side, the teams and the Startup Studio presented their projects and ongoing collaborations, offering a concrete glimpse into the digital innovation taking place in Lyon.

Understanding the impact of digital technology: energy and health

Several interactive booths allowed the public to explore societal issues:

• Energy consumption of video streaming: an interactive space to compare the impact of different networks (3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi) and services.
• Reducing health risks with the serious game “I See Resistance”: an immersive experience to understand how the overuse of antibiotics promotes the emergence of resistance.

A highlight: the speed meeting with Guillaume Chelius

The day also featured an inspiring exchange with Guillaume Chelius, researcher-entrepreneur and co-founder of the startup HIKOB. In 40 minutes, he reviewed 10 years of experience, a valuable testimony for anyone considering turning their ideas into an entrepreneurial project.

An inauguration that sets the tone

Between technological demonstrations, human encounters and inspiring discoveries, this open day perfectly reflected the spirit of the I-Factory: a place where innovation is experienced, shared and built together.