Developing a sustainable future through Immersive Engineering: 2026 Immersive Design Challenge

In a world where digital transformation continues to redefine how we design, build and innovate, the connection between physical and virtual worlds has never been more important. Siemens and Sony are inviting higher education students around the world to be part of that transformation through the 2026 Immersive Design Challenge.

With a focus on collaborative learning and industry-ready skill development, the challenge empowers students to imagine how they would use Immersive Design to improve the sustainability of a product or process.

This year, students have an exceptional opportunity to power up their challenge entry by enrolling in the newly launched Expedite – Skills for Competitions microcredential. Combining both experiences allows students to learn the theory behind the key skills needed for success in student competitions… then put this learning directly into practice during the Immersive Design Challenge.

What is Immersive Engineering?

Immersive Engineering combines the real and digital worlds, enabling users to experience 3D CAD in the Industrial Metaverse. The combination of Siemens’ software and Sony’s unique XR head-mounted display provides the most natural and intuitive way to create and experience the digital twin of a product or process. Finalist teams in the challenge will get the opportunity to build on their ideas using exactly this approach.

Having participated in several engineering competitions, I can confidently say that the Immersive Design Challenge was one of the best in many aspects.

2025 Challenge Participant

How does the challenge unfold?

At the center of the Immersive Design Challenge is a simple but powerful mission: How would you use Immersive Design to improve the sustainability of a product or process related to one of Siemens industries?

Ideas can be something students are working on already on their own, in their studies or something entirely new. For inspiration, students can explore stand-out ideas from the last challenges and real-life Siemens industry use cases.

The challenge unfolds in three rounds:

• Round 1: Form a team and submit a short questionnaire explaining the idea.
• Round 2: Create a visualization or prototype in Designcenter NX as well as a short video, supported by a Siemens mentor.
• Finalists (across all regions): With training from Siemens experts, develop the idea further using the Sony XR head-mounted display with Siemens’ Designcenter X NX software and present to a global jury.

Actively being involved with a team of students as a mentor helped me realize that there are many ways of using the software. It also showed how beneficial and necessary group cooperation and teamwork is.

2025 Siemens Mentor

Who can participate?

The challenge is open to students worldwide enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD program through May 2026. Teams should comprise three to eight students, with diversity of all kinds encouraged for a high-performing team. To be successful, teams should include at least one member with CAD or Designcenter NX skills, along with participants who are passionate about sustainability and eager to apply or develop their sustainability expertise.

Why should students join?

The Immersive Design Challenge is an opportunity for students to build the skills and experience needed for tomorrow’s engineering careers.

During the challenge, students will be supported on their journey by the brand new, Siemens-designed Expedite – Skills for Competitions microcredential with exercises and theory to apply in real life during their challenge experience.

Benefits for all participants:

• Free access to learn Siemens software, technologies and processes such as Designcenter NX, Simcenter 3D, EDA (PADS), AI, and the digital thread.
• Develop real-world industry knowledge and key workplace skills through microcredentials, masterclasses, webinars and expert Q&A sessions.
• Collaboration with Siemens mentors and a global community of fellow learners to build networks.
• Earn certificates, digital badges and software vouchers to recognize learning and achievements.

What do the top teams get?

Finalist teams will enjoy a hands-on experience with the Sony XR head-mounted display and Siemens Designcenter X NX with training from Siemens experts — plus some great Siemens merch!

Each region will crown one winning team, whose members and their academic mentor will be invited to Realize LIVE 2026 alongside Siemens experts and industry leaders. The winning teams’ universities will win a Sony XR headset, bringing Immersive Engineering capabilities back to campus.

For academics, the challenge helps deliver key learning outcomes that are hard to address in the classroom alone and offers valuable industry contact time.

It was a truly enriching experience for my students, and as a mentor, I had the opportunity to witness their enthusiasm, creativity and sustained interest throughout the event.

2025 Academic Mentor

How to get started?

For students who want to make a meaningful impact, sharpen their skills and explore the Industrial Metaverse, the 2026 Immersive Design Challenge offers this unique opportunity.

Whether they’re passionate about engineering, sustainability, digital innovation or collaborative problem-solving, this experience helps turn ideas into prototypes—and prototypes into possibilities.

The team’s first step is simple: Submit your idea in response to five short questions by January 26 2026.

Visit the challenge website to find out more.