The DIVR Science Award is a publicity instrument. The aim is to network and honour innovative university projects and players who sensibly and responsibly use virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and related tools in German economy and society. The DIVR Award Expo, at which the nominees present themselves annually, goes hand in hand with the award.
The significance of the DIVR Award Expo is due to the fragmentation of the German research landscape caused by the federal structures of the German government. Research on VR / AR / XR technologies is particularly affected by this. Consequently, the DIVR creates a platform to gather knowledge, facilitate exchange and promote the necessary impulses for the benefit of research, the economy, and our society. After all, these technologies are no longer just gimmicks from the laboratory or for gaming. Real-life applications are countless and are increasingly in the spotlight because of the digital transformation. Hence, it is even more important to set the right course now.
More than 80 universities from Germany, as well as German-speaking universities from abroad, have applied for the prestigious DIVR Science Award to date since its inception at the Places _ VR Festival in 2018. Combined with the annually increasing number of applications, our success emphasises the relevance of the award and the platform for the VR sector.
The DIVR Science Award has seven annual categories. Unlike other awards, the DIVR Science Award is not intended to recognise only the best project. Instead, its aim is to be a recommendation to further pursue the respective project and – depending on the stage of development – to highlight the unique aspect of it. Along with concepts and prototypes, finished applications, programmes or even entire research consortia can also participate. For every project deserves to be experienced. Responsible and meaningful digital transformation requires an exchange of ideas and experiences.
This year for the first time, the DIVR is awarding the special prize „XR Student Award“ as part of the XR Science Award. Only students may apply for this award with their projects. This includes projects, bachelor’s or master’s theses created in the field of XR.
The award goes to the application with the most impressive realisation. The jury is looking for the extraordinary in the implementation – imaginable are very good technical quality, high degree of technological innovation.
The „Immersion & Interface“ Award honours developed technologies with a high degree of immersion for the user and outstanding solutions in interface design.
Which project is best received in practice and has successfully made the step from the laboratory to practical application? The award is given to projects impressing with their outstanding applicability for end users – e.g. solutions for industrial problems.
„Athletic Performance, Psychology & Health“ is awarded to the application that offers the best XR solution suitable for use in a health or training environment.
The award honours the most innovative approach, the most creative use of VR technology or the most intriguing experiment in the competition. The focus of the evaluation is on the best conceptual performance.
The special award „Performance & Art“ honours XR technologies used in art or art performance projects. Many possibilities are imaginable in this category, from sculpture to dance.
In 2018, the DIVR Science Award took place for the first time within the framework of the Places VR _ Festival. Today, we are delighted to present all previous nominees and winners.
Would you like to be part of it next time? As an applicant or visitor? You can find out more about this year’s award here.
In 2022, the XR Science Award returned for the fifth time and was held in Dortmund for the first time. The expo took place in the DASA during the DiWoDo 2022.
In 2021, the DIVR Science Award returned for its fourth round! The DIVR Expo once again took place as part of the Places _ VR Festival, concluding in the DIVR Science Award 2021. The DIVR Expo complied with the distance and hygiene measures required in Germany due to the corona virus.
The DIVR Science Award 2020 was presented during the Places _ VR Festival. Despite the coronavirus, the DIVR Expo took place in compliance with distance and hygiene measures.
The 2019 DIVR Business Award was held at the German Football Museum at the kick-off event of the Digital Week Dortmund.
The DIVR Award 2019 was held as part of the VR Science and Business Day of Places VR Festival at the Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen.
Das Deutsche Institut für virtuelle Realitäten (DIVR e.V.) ist ein bundesweit aktiver, gemeinnütziger Verein, der sich mit den Potentialen von XR-Technologien (Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mischformen) auseinandersetzt. Wir streben danach, den Einsatz der besagten Technologien zum Wohle der deutschen Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft aktiv zu unterstützen und mitzugestalten.
Dazu kuratieren wir Wissen, stellen es zur Verfügung und bringen Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Politik an einen Tisch. Dabei betrachten wir nicht nur die Chancen, sondern auch die Risiken und wirken auf eine angemessene, wissenschaftlich fundierte Regulierung hin. Zudem wirkt das DIVR als Impulsgeber zur Umsetzung von XR-Projekten mit einem breiten Spektrum an Partnern.
Dortmund, der Sitz des DIVR e.V., ist von der Europäischen Kommission mit dem Titel "iCapital 2021 - Europäische Innovationshauptstadt" ausgezeichnet worden. Wir sind ein aktives Mitglied des Dortmunder Innovationsökosystems, das sich durch Kooperation auszeichnet.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the HORIZON-EIC-2021-iCapitalPrize - The European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital) EU Prizes: The European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital) (Rules of Contest): V1.0 – 18.03.2021 European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the awarding authority can be held responsible for them.
Als gemeinnütziger Verein sind wir auf Spenden angewiesen, um Veranstaltungen wie den DIVR XR Science Award 2023 durchzuführen. Wenn Sie uns mit einer Spende unterstützen möchten können Sie diese an das Folgende Spendenkonto adressieren.
Wir danken Ihnen im Voraus und stehen jederzeit für Fragen, zum Beispiel zu Spendenquittungen zur Verfügung.