IBDÅ works as an external R&D and product development partner for startups, SMEs, enterprises and institutions in Dubai, the UAE and internationally. We take a product idea, a technical challenge or an early concept and turn it into something that can be tested: a proof of concept, a functional prototype, a pilot or a first working version.
Our team brings together industrial design, UX/UI, software, connected hardware, AI, materials and fabrication in one process. We structure each engagement around agreed phases, deliverables and review points. Depending on the brief, outputs may include a feasibility study, design package, experimental prototype, functional MVP or pilot.
You can bring a defined brief or an idea that still needs shaping.
OUR SERVICES
R&D, Product Development & Prototyping
From idea to working prototype, with the evidence to decide what comes next.
WHAT YOU CAN BRING US
Briefs that suit this service
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A physical, digital or hybrid product that exists as a sketch, a pitch or a rough prototype and needs a working model.
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A sensor, device or connected system whose core assumption needs testing in real conditions before further investment.
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A product, app or dashboard built in-house or by another supplier that needs an audit, a redesign or a stable next version.
Example: BlackForest, a decentralised finance platform: UX/UI redesign and frontend development, launched as an evolving platform.
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A component, mechanism or process that underperforms and needs structured investigation.
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A technology that exists on paper or in a lab, turned into a demonstrable device, machine or platform.
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A web application, dashboard or internal tool that needs research, UX/UI, a high-fidelity prototype and a first build.
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A new composite, local resource or manufacturing process that needs iterative trials and application prototypes.
WAYS TO START
Starting engagements and possible outcomes
Each engagement is tailored to the brief. The examples indicate possible activities and deliverables; the agreed proposal defines what is included, and optional phases are marked as such.
Optional add-ons: launch visuals (renders, animations, media kit) and investor or stakeholder presentations.
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A short study to establish what should be built and how, before design or development begins. Depending on the brief, it can include a review of your existing devices or prototypes, benchmarking of comparable products, interviews, site visits and a map of the technical, safety and environmental constraints.
Possible outcomes: a findings report with requirements and recommendations; where relevant, user research and a proposed system architecture; and a scoped brief and phasing plan for the next stage.
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An experimental build or demonstrator designed to test a critical assumption behind the idea, kept small on purpose: for example one unit, one site or a small set of functions. It can cover hardware and sensor setup, software and data logging, a basic interface or dashboard, material samples or formulation trials, and testing in real conditions.
Possible outcomes: the experimental build, demonstrator or material samples; test results and data; an evaluation report; and a recommendation and plan for a pilot or MVP. The scope defines the intended testing environment, deployment limits and any further work required before operational use.
Example: One Grain at a Time, a proof-of-concept robotic sand depositor (robotic arm, custom deposition tool, external electronics and parametric software), built and tested during Dubai Design Week 2021 with DIDI and in5 Design.
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From concept to a tested prototype or first working version. Depending on the scope, phases can include:
Physical and hybrid products: concept directions reviewed with you; a 3D design-intent model and renders; an early manufacturability review with the fabricator; a technical package of drawings and material specifications; prototype liaison with the supplier.
Digital products: a UX audit; user flows and wireframes; a visual system and high-fidelity interactive prototype; a functional MVP with documentation; an evaluation round.
Material and fabrication briefs: formulation trials, fabrication experiments and application prototypes.
Possible outcomes, depending on scope: design files and 3D models; technical documentation; a prototype, MVP or application prototypes; and a handover package.
Example: Quantum Qi, a patent-pending longevity therapy pod developed with the Longevity Wellness Hub team: industrial design, spatial design, UX/UI and frontend development, prototyped at our lab at in5 Design and exhibited at Museum of the Future.
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For complex products and systems that require several rounds of research, development and testing. Each phase has agreed objectives, deliverables and review criteria, with a decision on the next stage informed by the findings. A review can lead to continuing, revising the approach or stopping.
Possible outcomes: the deliverables agreed for each phase, such as findings, design and engineering documentation, prototypes and test reports.
Example: MRG for Ithra, a biodegradable composite from fish scales and desalination salt: after the 2024 Tanween Sustainable Fashion Challenge, IBDÅ led the extended R&D phase as production partner, with more than 90 material trials at its materials lab in the UAE.
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An ongoing arrangement in which IBDÅ designers, developers or engineers join your team, working with an agreed project lead and shared priorities, milestones and review cycles. Suited to teams that need sustained capacity or want to explore, prototype and develop several opportunities over time.
Possible outcomes: agreed design and development capacity, deliverables and documentation.
Example: Vero AI, team augmentation for CME: UX/UI research, design and prototyping for its enterprise agentic AI customer-support platform, in close collaboration with the CME team.
HOW WE WORK
Phases, tests and a clear handover
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We agree the question the work needs to answer, the phases, their outputs and what is excluded, and list the inputs required from your side, such as access, data, sample units and feedback.
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Research, benchmarking, technical review, interviews and, where relevant, site visits establish the constraints before design begins.
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Concepts are developed as a small set of directions with their trade-offs, reviewed with you, then refined into detailed design.
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Prototypes are produced at our lab at in5 Design in Dubai Design District and with fabrication and engineering partners where required.
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When scoping a phase, we define what needs to be tested, what evidence is required and what should happen next. Depending on the project, this can include field testing, accuracy and reliability checks, endurance runs, usability testing and QA, and, where a prototype involves detection, measurement or AI, human review of its outputs. Results are documented and feed a recommendation on whether to proceed, adjust or stop.
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Depending on the engagement, handover can include design files and 3D models, technical drawings and specifications, project-specific source code, documentation, physical prototypes and an evaluation memo, with a recommendation on what to do next. Where relevant, we agree how project accounts will be established, accessed and handed over, subject to platform requirements. Post-delivery fixes, support and maintenance are agreed as part of the scope.
CAPABILITIES
Physical and digital, in one team
Where specialist engineering, certification or production support is needed, the relevant partners and responsibilities are agreed as part of the project scope.
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Product research and strategy · concept and industrial design · 3D modelling and CAD · materials and finishes · appearance and functional prototypes · design for fabrication · technical drawings
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Sensor selection · microcontroller-based systems · data capture and real-time communication · functional IoT demonstrators
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UX research and audits · user flows and wireframes · design systems · high-fidelity interactive prototypes · frontend and full-stack development · API and database integration
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AI feature and service integration · computer vision and adaptive systems · data platforms and decision-support tools
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Material research and iterative trials · biomaterials and experimental composites · 3D printing · robotic fabrication · prototype production
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Startups building a first product; SMEs and enterprises adding a new product, device or digital tool; and institutions, universities and government R&D teams that need an external team to turn research or an invention into a working system.
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Yes. We develop proofs of concept that combine sensors, electronics and connected devices with software, data and interfaces, which can be built at our lab at in5 Design and tested in real conditions. A proof of concept is scoped to a limited scale, for example one unit or one site, and can end with test results, an evaluation report and a recommendation for the next step.
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Yes. We provide industrial design for physical products and UX/UI design for digital ones, from research and concepts to high-fidelity prototypes and development-ready specifications, and we can continue into frontend and full-stack development.
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We design, prototype and prepare products for fabrication: 3D models, technical drawings, material specifications and coordination with suppliers and fabricators. Where specialist engineering, certification or production support is needed, we agree the relevant partners, responsibilities and requirements as part of the project scope.
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The proposal identifies professional fees and any additional component, fabrication, specialist or platform costs, including how these are approved.
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Your existing intellectual property stays yours, and your confidential information is protected. Ownership of the work created in the project is agreed in the contract before work begins. Arrangements differ by engagement and can include a full transfer of the project-specific work to you.
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R&D involves experimental variables; outcomes cannot be promised in advance. The phased structure means assumptions are tested early, evidence is documented and you decide at each review whether to continue, revise the approach or stop.
FAQ
Common questions
WORKING TOGETHER
Collaboration, ownership and confidentiality
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Projects can combine in-person work in Dubai, such as site visits, workshops, lab prototyping and installation, with remote collaboration for clients across the UAE, the region and internationally.
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We can work with your internal team and existing suppliers, and interfaces can be delivered in Arabic and English.
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Your existing intellectual property and confidential information are protected, and an NDA can be arranged before confidential project information is shared.
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Ownership of the work created in the project is agreed in the contract before work begins. Arrangements differ by engagement and can include a full transfer of the project-specific work to you.
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industrial design
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UX/UI
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software
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connected hardware
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AI
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materials
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fabrication
• industrial design • UX/UI • software • connected hardware • AI • materials • fabrication
START A PROJECT
Bring us the idea, the problem or the prototype.
Tell us what you are building, where it stands and what you need to learn next. We will suggest the most useful first step: an initial consultation, a discovery sprint, a proof of concept or an extended R&D programme.