The igus open virtual reality platform, iguverse, has won two categories of the prestigious international Red Dot Award for communication design: "Virtual Reality Installations" and "Exhibition Design Elements". The award recognises the efforts of igus to give SMEs easy access to new 3D technologies, supporting their global competitiveness. iguverse lets customers design and test concepts faster, more efficiently and sustainably, in a virtual space, without having to spend their own development resources. They also save costs: For example, companies can create digital exhibits instead of investing in expensive exhibition stands. igus is using the award as a benchmark to develop more features of the iguverse.
Put on VR glasses, pick up a controller and immerse yourself in a 3D world as an avatar – this is now becoming normal. More and more companies are using Virtual Reality (VR) to break ground in product design, planning, training and marketing. The VR and AR (augmented reality) market in the UK is projected to reach a value of £750m ($1.48bn) in 2024. It is expected to have average annual growth of 9.27% between 2024 and 2029.
"In this current phase, it is essential to help small and medium-sized companies, SMEs, that have limited budgets and experience so that they do not miss the boat with this key future technology," says Matthew Aldridge, Managing Director at igus UK.
igus, with start-up company RAUM, who built the VR platform, jointly developed the iguverse as a digital platform for easy entry into VR. It is specifically intended to help SMEs visualise and design products faster, more efficiently and sustainably – a virtual product has no material waste in development. Even users with no prior technical knowledge can easily get started. igus is available to help users with one of the most complex hurdles to date: building digital twins of products for the virtual space.
iguverse bags two at top design awards
igus has now been awarded the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design 2024 for the iguverse . The international competition also honours VR installations that are not only technically advanced, but those with a strong creative design that work for their target audience, offering up new perspectives in design. An international jury of 24 experts awarded the iguverse in two categories: "Virtual Reality Installations" and "Exhibition Design Elements".
"We are delighted to win these two awards, because the Red Dot Award is an important platform that recognises and promotes innovative VR projects," says Aldridge. This follows other recognition in 2023 – iguverse was awarded the German Brand Award twice, an industry prize for exemplary brand management and exceptional marketing projects.
Customers wowed by iguverse at “enjoyneering” event
The Red Dot Award’s jury particularly praised efforts to make it easier for SMEs to access 3D technologies at trade shows. "In virtual showrooms, size doesn't matter,” Matthew Aldridge says. “Even huge drilling rigs can be presented in a way that would never be possible on a classic exhibition stand."
Such a positive response from customers and visitors has prompted igus to develop the platform further. "We have been able to automate the creation of digital twins to a large extent. If customers send us a STEP file, we can produce a 3D model from it within a few hours," says Aldridge. “It is really very exciting – we are only at the beginning of the VR journey.”
And it’s not only suitable for product design: igus is experimenting with using VR for employee training and planning of factory expansions. igus recently hosted am “enjoyneering” event for customers and the media at its Northampton base. The reports were glowing. But will VR become mainstream?
“There’s no doubt that VR will eventually become a crucial tool in numerous sectors, much like the transformative impact of the internet,” Kyle Shenton, Director at CNC Guru says, “The immersive nature of VR holds the potential to revolutionise how we work, learn, and interact within different fields, from education to healthcare, entertainment, and beyond.”
What was the iguverse like, for a new user?
“The iguverse provided an incredibly immersive experience, that drew me in on multiple levels – visually, technically, and physically,” added Kyle. “It didn’t just engage my senses: it actively stimulated my cognitive abilities, enabling me to not only absorb information but also interact with it dynamically.”
