igus Honored with Dual Red Dot Awards for Innovation in Virtual Reality
igus Receives Prestigious Red Dot Awards for Brands & Communication Design 2024
August 21, 2024 – igus®, a leading global manufacturer of motion plastics, has been recognized with the esteemed 2024 Red Dot Award for Brands & Communication Design in two distinct categories. The company’s innovative virtual reality platform, iguverse, has earned accolades in “Virtual Reality Installations” and “Exhibition Design Elements.”
This recognition underscores igus’ commitment to advancing technology and making cutting-edge 3D solutions accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By utilizing the iguverse, companies can present and design products more efficiently, sustainably, and cost-effectively without relying heavily on their development resources.
The iguverse, built on the VR platform developed by the Cologne-based startup RAUM, offers a barrier-free entry into virtual reality. Regardless of technical expertise, SMEs can easily integrate these advanced technologies into their operations. This approach supports global competitiveness and reduces the costs associated with traditional exhibition models. The platform allows for creating digital twins, enabling companies to scale down physical exhibition stands while maintaining an impressive digital presence.
VR: A Strategic Advantage for SMEs
The adoption of virtual reality in business is rapidly growing, with a recent BITKOM study indicating that one in five German companies currently utilizes VR applications. Additionally, 36% of companies plan to implement VR, and 57% view it as critical to future competitiveness.
Marco Thull, Head of Marketing at igus, emphasized the importance of making VR technology accessible to SMEs with limited budgets and expertise. “In this phase of VR adoption, it is vital to include SMEs so they do not miss out on the opportunities that VR technology presents,” Thull stated.
Recognition for Innovation
The international Red Dot jury, composed of 24 experts, acknowledged iguverse’s technical innovation and creative design. The platform was praised for its lasting impact on audiences and its ability to offer new perspectives in virtual reality. These attributes were key factors in igus being awarded in the categories of “Virtual Reality Installations” and “Exhibition Design Elements.”
“We are honored to receive these awards,” said Thull. “The Red Dot Award serves as a significant platform for recognizing and promoting groundbreaking VR projects. This recognition will inspire us to continue enhancing the functionalities of the iguverse.”
igus’ recent success follows its previous achievements, including two German Brand Awards in 2023 for exemplary brand management and exceptional marketing initiatives.
Expanding the Boundaries of VR
The Red Dot Award particularly highlighted igus’ efforts to simplify the use of 3D technologies for SMEs at trade shows. In virtual environments, companies can showcase large-scale products like drilling rigs in ways that would be impossible at conventional trade show booths. This capability offers considerable cost savings and flexibility in presenting new 3D models without requiring extensive physical space.
Jan Olfenbüttel, Head of Sales & Marketing at H+B technics, shared his positive experience: “The digital twins of our lift systems for boats and yachts allow us to bring our products to life in VR. This enables us to demonstrate them anytime, anywhere, and in operation—which is difficult to achieve at traditional trade shows.”
Similarly, Laura Lenk, Digital Business Development at Abicor Binzel, highlighted the benefits of collaboration with igus. “At SCHWEISSEN & SCHNEIDEN 2023, we showcased a VR showroom for our laser welding and soldering portfolio. This immersive interaction with customers provided a unique opportunity to demonstrate the application of our products in the automotive industry. The positive feedback has motivated us to continue enhancing the platform.”
Thull added, “We have largely automated the generation of digital twins. If customers provide us with a STEP file, we can create a 3D model within hours. The possibilities with VR are virtually endless, and we are only at the beginning of this journey.”
As igus continues to explore VR’s potential for employee training and factory planning, the company remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with this transformative technology.
To learn more about other awards and accolades igus has received, visit https://www.igus.com/company/awards
