From Idea to Market: The Journey of Digity GmbH’s Groundbreaking Innovation
- soukaynalemallam
- Jul 1, 2024
- 2 min read
Transforming an Idea into a Game-Changing Solution
At Digity, our story began with a simple yet powerful idea: creating robust finger exoskeletons to support industrial workers and prevent injuries. This vision originated from Miguel Bravo, a biomedical student and research assistant at the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG). Witnessing the challenges faced by workers in manual labor, Miguel was inspired to design a solution that would not only protect hands but also enhance workplace safety and productivity.
The concept of a 3D-printed ergonomic exoskeleton for fingers took root, offering a revolutionary way to address hand injuries while ensuring precision and comfort for workers. This idea laid the foundation for what would become Digity GmbH.
The Role of the Right Incubator
Turning a groundbreaking idea into reality requires the perfect environment for innovation. Miguel Bravo found this environment at UMG’s "Applied Rehabilitation Technology Laboratory" (ART-Lab), part of the Clinic for Trauma Surgery, Orthopedics, and Plastic Surgery.
The ART-Lab provided the tools, expertise, and space needed to translate scientific research into practical solutions. Under the guidance of UMG, Miguel and the Digity founding team developed the first prototype of ARTUS, a passive finger exoskeleton designed to address repetitive strain injuries, hyperextension, and joint fatigue. This laboratory served as a hub of creativity and technical excellence, ensuring that Digity’s product was not just an idea but a tangible, market-ready innovation.
From Prototype to Market Success
By 2022, Digity achieved a significant milestone: spinning off from UMG as a fully-fledged company with the support of the BMWK (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action). With an initial funding of €1 million and an additional €1.4 million from private investors, Digity accelerated its development processes.
Key support from MBM ScienceBridge GmbH, the joint subsidiary of UMG and the university, ensured that all patent and property law matters were expertly managed. This collaboration secured the intellectual property that underpins our innovative technologies, enabling us to focus on perfecting our product.
In 2024, after two years of intensive research and development, Digity successfully launched its first product, ARTUS, onto the market. Designed with industrial workers in mind, ARTUS combines advanced engineering, ergonomic precision, and cutting-edge 3D printing technology to deliver unparalleled finger protection. Looking Ahead: Innovation as a Core Mission
Digity’s journey from an idea to a market-ready product is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and perseverance. Today, we are proud to be a leading example of a successful spin-off, leveraging academic expertise and industry support to address real-world challenges.
But our story doesn’t end here. We are already working on new innovations to further enhance workplace safety and improve the lives of workers worldwide. With continued support from UMG and our investors, Digity remains committed to pushing the boundaries of ergonomic solutions and setting new standards for workplace safety.
Together, we’re redefining handwear for the modern workforce.
