Iris Lab

Iris Lab is a Paris, France-based company developing a wireless power transmission solution intended to supply autonomous systems continuously. The approach uses a ground-based laser transmitter that points at a photovoltaic receiver mounted on the autonomous vehicle; light energy is converted to electricity onboard in the same way photovoltaic panels convert sunlight, but with the light source deliberately matched to the receiver to raise conversion efficiency and allow compact, lightweight converters suited to the weight and volume constraints of drones and robots.

The company frames the problem as a battery bottleneck: batteries represent both a heavy load that limits system performance and a source of downtime from recharging. In the drone case the company cites roughly 30% of a drone's mass being devoted to the battery for approximately 30 minutes of endurance, and argues that battery energy-to-weight improvements have plateaued. Target application sectors named include drones, logistics robots, agricultural robots, space and, prospectively, lunar rovers. The company distinguishes between low- and medium-range terrestrial applications, where low source and sensor cost is the priority, and space/long-distance applications, where it says the constraints differ.

Three technical hurdles were identified for the product: accurate tracking of a moving target, laser safety for the surrounding environment, and a high-efficiency photovoltaic cell for laser-to-electricity conversion. The first two were addressed in an initial six-month demonstrator; the conversion cell was slated for a second prototype in 2024, developed with the Institut Photovoltaïque d'Île-de-France (IPVF).

Founding story

The venture began as a student project named HELIOSPHERE at ISAE-SUPAERO. Bastien Fabre applied for and received an Entrepreneurship grant from the Fondation ISAE-SUPAERO in February 2023 for the project, later renamed Iris Lab. An initial demonstrator was built over six months under the school's PIE (Projets Ingénierie et Entreprise) program by founders Bastien Fabre and Nicolas, together with four final-year ISAE-SUPAERO engineering students — Eliott Renault, Maxime Renard, Alexandre Neyret and Audric Boiteau — organized in a deliberately horizontal team structure. The prototype, a simplified system transmitting low power to a drone in flight over a limited distance, was described as decisive in the creation of the startup, which was incorporated as Iris Lab SAS in October 2023.

Business model

The stated aim is to develop and commercialize a wireless power transmission solution sold to operators of autonomous systems. Under the arrangement described with IPVF, Iris Lab is to hold an exclusive license to the patent developed by the institute for the reception sensor.

Traction

A first demonstrator transmitting low power to a drone in flight over a limited distance was designed, assembled and tested during the PIE program, proving concept feasibility for tracking and laser safety. Subsequent milestones reported as of March 2024 were a contract in progress with IPVF, a SATT Paris-Saclay-funded R&D partnership for a second demonstrator, and success in unspecified competitions.

Latest developments

As of the March 2024 interview, Iris Lab was finalizing a contract with IPVF for the photovoltaic receiver, setting up a SATT Paris-Saclay partnership funding the second demonstrator with a €100k grant, recruiting a CTO, progressing a €100k honour loan application, speaking with incubators, and preparing a first fundraising round, with an approach already received from a prospective investor.