Cubii is the latest creation from Smart Cube, which is based at the Atrium Business Park in Bertrange and has been active in the smart, connected building market since 2018. CEO Jorge De Oliveira, aged 47, had the idea several years ago, "but the market wasn't ready”, he said during an interview. So this tenacious former project manager at Encevo (2009-2018) worked hard on the market.
As a result, the platform has been available for a few weeks now. And "the demand is there", says the CEO, who has his sights set on growth in Luxembourg as well as internationally. In particular, De Oliveira is counting on future European construction obligations to boost his business in Luxembourg and abroad. The Middle East is in his sights.
Cubii comes in the form of an all-in-one tool. The CEO describes it as "a real virtual assistant" for the building or home to which the platform will be connected. “An innovative solution. It doesn't exist anywhere else.”
Like a maintenance log
There are four main functionalities.
1. Anomaly detection. A faulty boiler, suspicious smoke, water damage... By installing a few sensors, Cubii can detect incidents in real time, before informing the user by the means of their choice (SMS, email, etc).
As a result, the platform promises shorter response times, backed up by a portfolio of service providers that is set to grow as the customer base expands.
2. Monitoring. Water, electricity... "To consume less, you first need to know what you're consuming", argues De Oliveira. From its dashboard, Cubii provides this data, again in real time, "so that we can monitor this technical data more effectively".
3. Repairs. Worn out lighting system? Faulty ventilation? Lazy fridge? By posting a quick descriptive message on the application, as well as a photo or video illustrating the problem encountered, subscribers can reach all the subcontractors registered on Cubii directly. Quotes are sent directly to the subscriber. It's then up to them to make their choice.
"For subcontractors, it creates opportunities", says the CEO. “Let's take the example of tiling joints in a bathroom. It's not the kind of job that would concern a large company. On the other hand, there are plenty of companies with one, two or three employees that could be interested.” To be accessible on Cubii, designed to be universal and therefore to manage equipment of all brands, these subcontractors will have to pay a--"small", promises De Olivera--fixed fee.
4. The "maintenance booklet". When buying a secondhand car, the buyer has a fairly clear idea of the repairs carried out, and therefore the condition of the vehicle, thanks to the maintenance booklet. Cubii is a bit like that. A one-stop shop, the application archives every ticket, recording all the work and interventions carried out in the home or building concerned.
"'This is what I've done...' No more searching through drawers for repair or fitting documents that you never find again. It's all there. When you sell your house, it's a way of adding value to the property," says De Oliveira.
"The future of building is digital
Cubii claims to be an all-rounder: private customers, co-ownership associations, facility management, etc. Depending on the subscription package chosen and the number of options selected, it costs from €5.90 to €25.90 per month.
"With the rise of teleworking, people are spending more and more time at home. They want to know what's going on there. Behaviours are changing, and the future of the building industry is digital," says De Oliveira, a finalist in the 2019 Crafts Innovation Prize organised by the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts (Chambre des métiers).
Read the original French-language version of this interview