INNOVATION GALLERY

unrival App configures professional lighting fixtures by touch, not menu. Fixtures carry embedded NFC tags holding identify info, rental record and logs. One tap of a phone reads and rewrites all of it in a single session, even without power – no console, no network. unrival accepts show patches from a ChamSys QR code, a CSV file or an MVR file; then it renders the rig as a 2D plan or 3D plot for an immersive interface. unrival empowers technicians to tap a fixture on screen, tap the IRL fixture tag, and address it. It is a seamless approach. 

Judges' comments:

A free app that makes addressing and managing a lighting rig easier on site and in the warehouse, with multiple users able to access the same information in real-time. Although working best with Chauvet’s products using its proprietary NFC chips, the app still allows for users to integrate any other fixture helping to improve communication and workflow with the novel use of self-generated QR codes.   

www.chauvetprofessional.com

The Doughty Pre-Rig Quick Trigger Clamp redefines outdoor rigging with a robust, IP-rated design developed specifically for prolonged exposure to challenging environments. Compatible with both 50mm square tube and Ø48-51mm round truss, it offers fast deployment, secure attachment and a 100kg working load limit. Constructed from AW6082 T6 aluminium and marine-grade stainless steel components, it provides outstanding corrosion resistance and reliability. Its innovative slotted body captures an M12 nut or bolt head, reducing installation time and improving handling during rigging. Lightweight, durable and available in silver or black, it is built for modern outdoor production applications. 

Judges' comments:

Innovation comes in many forms, sometimes a simple change can make a significant difference. The judges enjoyed the clamp's straight-forward design and ability to solve many practical yet obvious issues. Rather than drive square pegs into round holes or round pegs into square ones, this product allows the user to secure either safely.   

www.doughty-engineering.co.uk

The ELL Smart Chain Hoist (500kg and 1000kg) is the industry’s first paperless electric chain hoist. Its integrated NFC digital passport gives instant smartphone access to each unit’s own certificates, manuals, service history and inspection reports, backed by a cloud platform that oversees the owner’s entire fleet and flags upcoming inspections. An embedded processor records real operating hours and brake cycles, and a unique dual-brake architecture lets technicians test each brake independently – completely hands-free, without touching the hoist. All built on a TÜV-certified hoist that works with existing controllers.

Judges' comments:

By collating much of the chain hoist's data into a centrally accessible database, ELL has enabled simple access to real-time and historical information of a hoist over a network. The capability to test brakes individually without removing covers was particularly notable, as was the facility allowing users to check maintenance and compliance history at the scan of a QR code or NFC chip. It is hoped that these innovations will support safer and more efficient working practices.   

www.ellhoist.com

The UNREAL 120 delivers optical outputs of 120W in a 15.5kg housing, setting a new benchmark for power-to-weight ratio in professional show-laser technology. With only 34.5 x 28.1 x 22.3 cm housing, this is significantly more compact than comparable systems in this power class, allowing easy transport, rigging and handling for touring applications. 100% alignment-free laser modules based on patented LAS technology, the latest RSL 4th-generation laser diodes are developed and manufactured in-house by LaserAnimation Sollinger in Germany. Integrated FB4 interface, stand-alone player and Art-Net control. With advanced built-in CTO colour temperature management, LA.toolbox software integration, in an IP65-rated housing.

Judges' comments:

A high level of attention to detail in the manufacturing process has led to a genuine step-change in terms of output power density for a given beam size in a considerably smaller, lighter and more cost-effective format. The judges noted the sophisticated white colour balance management, the promised reliability and high degree of beam accuracy.

www.laseranimation.com

The live event and rental market demands technology that balances breathtaking visual performance with uncompromising structural efficiency. Designed for live events, ROE Visual’s transparent LED panel Vanish Air Rental redefines stage design with a frame-integrated power system that eliminates central PSU columns. This breakthrough 1000 x 1000mm platform achieves an unprecedented 92% visual transparency and utilizes a perforated design that fades from view at 5–8 meters. Pushing visual boundaries, the panel delivers a 6.94mm pixel pitch and up to 4000 nits of brightness for crisp imagery under intense light. It perfectly blends structural integrity with exceptional power distribution.

Judges' comments:

The innovative engineering of placing the drive electronics in the perimeter of the panel makes this the first product to be a tourable, transparent screen without a central spine, thereby contributing to a cleaner aesthetic. 

www.roevisual.com

The EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) will be fully enforced from 11 December 2027. If a product is not CRA compliant by that date, it is not eligible for a CE mark. That means it cannot be sold in the EU.
Existing lighting protocols (Art-Net, sACN and RDMnet) lack native security. Products that rely on them will not pass compliance.
Sig-Net® is the solution. It is an open, peer-reviewed, protocol that provides the tools manufacturers need to achieve CRA compliance. It is a lightweight protocol and so easily retrofits existing product lines – extending their life into the CRA era.

Judges' comments:

The judges commended the extensive collaborative effort behind Sig-Net, predicting it will become a cornerstone of cybersecurity in the lighting industry. Early adoption by numerous manufacturers, many of whom contributed to its development, helps prepare the sector for the upcoming EU Cyber Resilience Act.  

Sig-Net serves as a vital platform for industry dialogue regarding the mandatory compliance requirements arriving in 2027. Finally, the judges highlighted its sustainable impact, noting that it extends the lifespan of existing protocols and significantly reduces product obsolescence.

www.singularity-uk.com

SoundBase is a user-driven RF coordination tool that streamlines the handling of wireless setups with multiple brands. Instead of having to switch between different manufacturers’ software when frequency-coordinating a wireless audio system, SoundBase integrates with wireless systems from all major manufacturers, and offers control for devices from Shure, Sennheiser, Wisycom, Sound Devices, and Lectrosonics. A major function update has not only made SoundBase the world’s first RF management application built for both narrowband and wideband systems across multiple manufacturers, but also introduced Remote View, a smart tool to share live monitoring data with multiple production members without increasing network traffic. 

Judges' comments:

The judges appreciated the well-designed manufacturer-agnostic workflow in an increasingly hostile RF environment. The collaborative cross-sharing of data has the potential to transform information exchanges across multiple RF users to help improve practical management of on-site frequency co-ordination.   

www.soundbase.app

The d&b audiotechnik U-Series is a new definition of compact multipurpose point source loudspeakers. Designed for both mobile and installed applications, the U-Series features three models, available in passive and networked variants, all sharing a modern, application-neutral design that blends into any environment. This gives system designers, integrators and venue operators the flexibility to meet diverse technical requirements while maintaining a sleek visual profile and benefitting from renowned d&b directivity control and acoustical performance.

Judges' comments:

The judges felt that the U-Series represented a highly flexible approach to speaker deployment. However, it was the networked cabinets that particularly caught the judges' attention, demonstrating an advanced use of Power over Ethernet to a level that can be considered suitable for a wide range of professional applications. The N-version shows the potential for PoE powered systems to compete with other more traditional speakers.

www.dbaudio.com

Most live audio is still stereo, even as venues invest in multi-speaker systems. Areal Upmix Engine closes that gap: a real-time upmixer converting stereo sources into coherent multi-channel audio for immersive and unconventional loudspeaker systems. Its patented core technology redistributes spectral content across unique outputs, preventing artifacts and preserving the original stereo signal on recombination. Brand-agnostic and low-latency, it supports 5.1, 7.1, 7.1.4, and custom arrays, with no stems or object-based mixing required. Already deployed at Tomorrowland and Boomtown Fair, Upmix Engine lets artists and engineers keep their stereo workflow while venues and system designers make fuller use of multi-speaker systems. 

Judges' comments:

Commended for providing a brand-agnostic interface for low-latency spatial audio, it affords users a stepping-stone into the world of immersive sound that is both easy and intuitive to use. It potentially allows a wider range of immersive options from standard stereo sources.

www.polar.uk.com

Disguise’s Mapping Matter is a cloud-based application that helps teams design real-world projector and LED placements for live events and experiences – including Heineken’s anniversary gala, The Messi Experience, and more.   

The latest version of Mapping Matter introduces new AI features that save hours by automating the research and creation of accurate projector and LED setups directly from official manufacturer datasheets. By instantly generating complex physical specs and flagging workflow configuration issues, Mapping Matter’s new AI removes manual data entry, prevents costly on-site errors, and accelerates the design-to-delivery pipeline for live, hybrid, and immersive experiences. 

Judges' comments:

In a year that has seen increased use of AI, the judges commended Disguise for its practical, focused and responsible use of AI in its products, building on the company's previous PLASA Award for the technology. The judges felt that integration of AI into the workflow was appropriate and represents a genuinely useful and potentially time-saving suite of features, without compromising individual designer intellectual property.

www.disguise.one

GLINT™ and AERIS™ in GigaPointe®  

GLINT™ (GigaPointe Light Intensity Technology) automatically and dynamically optimises beam definition and performance, ensuring crisp, high-impact, high-contrast visuals through management of both light source and distribution.  

AERIS™ (Airborne Emission Removal In-head System) continuously filters and scrubs the air inside the head compartment, preventing residue build-up before it occurs. By keeping optical surfaces pristine, AERIS™ preserves light quality, and output, whilst extending service intervals. 

Together GLINT™ and AERIS™ patented technologies dramatically enhance GigaPointe® creativity whilst preserving light quality and output, extending deployment time through less cleaning, giving lasting brilliant performance with lower cost of ownership. 

Judges' comments:

By careful attention to the detrimental impact of potential contaminants within a head of a moving light, Robe has developed multiple mechanisms to maintain a cleaner internal environment within a fixture, thereby potentially reducing maintenance intervals and costs as well as prolonging the optimum performance. The judges highlighted AERIS alongside the previous innovations that will be adopted across the product range contributing to long-term reliability. 

www.robeuk.com