Plastics industry meets Metaverse: igus presents products in virtual reality

Studies show that we are up to nine times more likely to remember something we have experienced in virtual reality. This knowledge can also be interesting for the plastics industry. With the iguversum, igus has created a digital space in which the manufacturer's products can be discovered. In the future, engineering projects will also be carried out there.

In an interview with K-MAG, Marco Thull talks about the advantages of the iguversum for companies, customers and the environment, as well as what is possible there – and what should continue to be experienced in the real world.

A digital parallel universe and the industry – to what extent does that fit together? How did you come up with the idea of the iguversum?

Marco Thull: At igus we are always on the lookout for innovative ideas to help customers improve their technology and reduce costs with motion plastics. One example is the igus motion plastics show (IMPS). This is a 400 sqm virtual-real exhibition stand that we set up during the Corona pandemic in Cologne and brought online. With success: In the first year alone, 55,000 interested people visited the stand. Our customer advisors held 16,000 conversations there. This showed us that much more is possible in the digital space. We therefore wanted to take the next step and saw the concept of a metaverse as such an opportunity. Added to that was the technical curiosity: "What is this VR and what will this Metaverse be?". We approached the medium in small steps and quickly realised what enormous potential it had.

How can you imagine the iguversum? What is possible there?

Thull: The igus Metaverse is currently designed as a two-part world. In the digital twin of the igus factory, the centre of the iguversum, the tribopolymer products and various igus theme worlds can be discovered playfully. In addition, there are special rooms in which our motion plastics can be discovered, touched and explained on a virtual machine or application. Both worlds are set up in such a way that several participants can go on a journey of discovery at the same time. Or an individual appointment can be arranged with an igus contact person – similar to what we already do with the IMPS. The rooms are based on a platform that we have rented for the time being. Here we exhibit models of applications that are equipped with our motion plastics. Currently, these include a modern vehicle, the igus bicycle and a drilling platform.

What are the advantages for your customers?

Thull: A major advantage is the location-independent collaborative work. The iguversum shows its strengths especially in prototype development. An example: When developing special components, communication ping-pong is often on the agenda. E-mails with design drawings go back and forth. The phone rings numerous times. In future, things will go faster in the iguversum. There, sales staff from igus and customers meet as avatars in digital space to jointly develop a 3D model of the component. Visible at all times, like in a computer game: Indicators such as tool costs, delivery time and robustness, which adapt to the development in real time. In the end, development is faster – and at lower cost, since the "hardware" is not needed for the time being and can be realistically adjusted and optimised in the virtual world. A positive side effect, especially for teams working internationally, is that travel costs and time are reduced and emissions are avoided. The Metaverse can also be used for presentations or training: Employees can train to operate machines without risk of injury and can look over the shoulders of service technicians during repairs in virtual reality.

Where are the limits? What is not (yet) possible in virtual space?

Thull: We are still at the very beginning of this exciting project and are trying out many things. The question that keeps coming up is: "Is this tech or can it go away?" In other words, what is technically possible, what is gimmicky, what has a concrete use? At the same time, we are firmly convinced that in the coming years we will implement things that we are not even thinking about today or that are not yet feasible. One example is the haptic experience of the products. But that is exactly what is very important. This is shown by the free samples that are requested from us or our trade fair stands, where we always have a lot to touch. Will this replace haptic gloves at some point? Probably not. Experiencing our products in the real world will always remain a decisive factor in cooperation.

What are your further plans for the iguversum?

Thull: One goal is to now quickly push ahead with this development and expansion of the iguversum into a virtual machine platform with industry worlds in which collaborative work is the focus. In the future, customers, engineers and material experts will come together as avatars in digital space and carry out entire engineering projects there. In a further stage, we are considering expanding the iguversum to include a B2B platform for other manufacturers. They can then also present machines and systems in the virtual space, provided they use components from igus. The iguversum has the potential to revolutionise cooperation between companies and customers.