FARI’s CAVE wins Brussels Best Smart Experience Award

FARI has won the Brussels Best Smart Experience Award at the visit.brussels Awards 2026 for its CAVE, an immersive space that helps make complex data and scenarios easier to explore and discuss.

The award was announced on 24 September at the BIP in Brussels. Organised by visit.brussels, the awards recognise initiatives that contribute to the city’s appeal and international profile. The Brussels Best Smart Experience category honours the use of advanced technology to create dynamic, personalised or sustainable visitor experiences.

A space for exploring complex questions together

Located at BeCentral, the CAVE (Computer Augmented Virtual Environment) is a large-scale immersive simulation space developed by FARI, a joint initiative of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), in collaboration with the Brussels-Capital Region.

It gives researchers, public authorities, urban planners and other partners a way to visualise complex information and explore possible scenarios together. Its applications range from digital twins and urban development to accessibility and crisis preparedness. By making data more tangible, the CAVE can support discussion across disciplines and help people make more informed decisions.

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The award recognises the work of the researchers, teams and partners bringing the CAVE to life. It also highlights the role that research infrastructure can play in how people experience and understand Brussels, and in how the city approaches its challenges.

Thank you to visit.brussels, to everyone who supported FARI during the public vote, and to the jury for this recognition. We look forward to sharing more of the work taking shape in the CAVE.

Have a use case to explore? Public authorities, researchers and organisations interested in the CAVE are welcome to contact FARI.