A measured result
About 9 in 10 hornets hunting in front of the hive are struck, with a 3-second reset. Measured on four units of the latest version, installed at three sites, in August–September 2025.
From idea to working object.
I am Boris Collard, an engineer. I lead technical projects end to end, and I design, machine, weld, assemble and program prototypes.
Frelox
A device that protects beehives from the Asian hornet.
A camera watches the hive entrance, an image-recognition model spots the Asian hornet and a rod strikes it in flight, with no chemicals. It is my most complete project: I designed and built it from A to Z.
Discover the project See the product on frelox.fr
What the Frelox demonstrates
Mechanical design
Every part and the overall assembly are modelled in FreeCAD, across several versions, until the mechanism is fast and reliable.
Manufacturing
Machining, welding, 3D printing and moulds for recycled-plastic parts, with reused components.
Electronics
Board designed with an electronics engineer I hired for the purpose; components assembled and soldered in-house.
Programming and vision
Image recognition and motor control in Python and OpenCV, with models I trained myself. Another version, in C++, runs on salvaged smartphones instead of Raspberry Pi boards.
Project leadership
Complete development, hiring and managing a specialist, four units built and tested, up to the online launch.
Leading a project end to end
From a €150M construction project to developing my own product, I take projects from definition to delivery, coordinating the teams.
Vinci Construction · 2010–2012
Lift bridge: the mechanisms package
Coordination of the mechanisms package of a lift bridge on a €150M project. Delivered on time and on budget, with no accident.
- €14M
- mechanisms package, within a €150M project
- 2
- assembly teams, day and night
- 0
- accident
Frelox · since 2020
From an idea to a product tested in the field
- Design. Mechanics in FreeCAD, image recognition in Python and OpenCV, across several versions.
- Delegate. Hire an electronics engineer and steer the board design.
- Build. Four units of the latest version, assembled in my workshop.
- Measure. Trials at three sites in August–September 2025: about 9 in 10 hornets struck.
- Launch. Online sale.
Almost everything is done in my workshop
CAD, machining, welding, 3D printing, assembly and programming are all done in-house. For electronics, I design the boards with an electronics engineer. One contact, fast iterations, and your projects stay confidential.
- 3D design
- CAD modelling in FreeCAD of parts and assemblies, dimensioned drawings.
- Machining and welding
- Custom metal parts and assemblies.
- 3D printing and moulds
- Plastic prototypes, moulds for recycled plastic.
- Electronics and code
- Boards assembled and soldered in-house, Python and C++ programming, image recognition.
Other projects
Suspended front luggage rack
A tray on a deformable parallelogram, to carry fragile items by bike without shocks.
Recumbent bike
Welded aluminium frame, plywood seat, disc brakes: a complete vehicle built in my workshop.
Hydraulic braking
A hydraulic disc braking system developed for bicycle trailers, using the trailer’s inertia with no extra connection.
Background
I trained as an engineer (MSc in industrial equipment and process engineering, 2008) and started in renewable energy: wind project studies, then commissioning electrolysers and designing a hydrogen production unit at the PURE Energy Centre in Scotland. I then coordinated the mechanisms package of a lift bridge for Vinci Construction, €14M within a €150M project, delivered on time and on budget with no accident, with two assembly teams working day and night. Since 2013, I have been designing and building my own products, from trailers and a recumbent bicycle at La Boîte Qui Roule to the Frelox, after two years teaching technology and science. This path taught me to take an idea all the way to an object that works, alone or leading a team.
Let’s talk about your prototype
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Workshop in Ivry-sur-Seine (Val-de-Marne), near Paris