Augmented World Expo 2025: XR Industry Event

Augmented World Expo 2025: A Glimpse into the Future of XR

The Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2025 is set to take center stage from June 10 to June 12 in Long Beach, California, attracting over 6,000 attendees, 400 speakers, and 300 exhibitors. This premier event will spotlight the latest advancements in XR technology, with a focus on practical applications for both enterprise and consumer markets. Industry leaders, including Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell, and Oculus/Anduril founder Palmer Luckey, will share their insights on the future of the XR industry.

Ori Inbar, CEO of AWE, emphasized the need for “head-turning content that must be experienced” to drive mainstream adoption of XR technology. The event will highlight the shift from abstract metaverse concepts to tangible mixed reality applications, particularly in gaming and enterprise solutions. The role of AI in shaping the future of XR and the metaverse will also be a key topic of discussion.

Industry Leaders and Strategic Alliances

Meta, which acquired Oculus in 2014, has invested billions in XR technology. Mark Zuckerberg and Palmer Luckey have formed a strategic alliance between Meta and Anduril, focusing on the development of AR/AI glasses. Meanwhile, Apple, with its Apple Vision Pro launched in February 2024, remains a significant competitor. Apple has reportedly slowed the development of its next-generation XR headset, while Zuckerberg continues to prioritize AR/AI glasses. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel is also making strides in the augmented reality space, with Spectacles now in their fifth generation.

Nolan Bushnell and five of his children will lead a discussion on the future of gaming through XR. Brent Bushnell, one of Nolan’s sons, recently launched DreamPark, an XR startup that transforms parks into immersive mixed reality theme parks. Other notable speakers include Vicki Dobbs Beck, Ziad Asghar, Brian McClendon, Jason Rubin, Hugo Swart, Jacqui Bransky, Chi Xu, Helen Papagiannis, and Tom Furness.

Innovations from Exhibiting Companies

Pico, founded in Beijing in 2015 and acquired by ByteDance in 2021, will showcase its standalone Pico XR headsets, including the Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise headset launched in September 2024. The company will present 15 user stories highlighting the growth of the location-based entertainment (LBE) market in China. Leland Hedges, head of enterprise business at Pico, noted the increasing demand for immersive experiences in the region.

Convai, led by CEO Purnendu Mukherjee, will demonstrate its avatar-based generative AI solutions. The company will offer learning and training simulations at AWE, enabling non-technical users to create high-fidelity avatars and simulations without coding. Convai will also announce pricing for its self-serve platform and enterprise subscription, making its technology more accessible to a broader audience.

Doublepoint, under the leadership of CEO Ohto Pentikäinen, will showcase its gesture control technology, which uses a smartwatch to detect hand gestures for controlling devices. The company will demonstrate its integration with Android XR and Xreal, highlighting the potential for intuitive user interactions. Doublepoint’s technology has already been downloaded by 150,000 people, with a developer community of over 2,000 members since January 2024. The company is launching a developer program to foster further innovation.

Supporting the XR Ecosystem

AWE Builders Nexus, a new startup program, will provide resources for founders, developers, designers, product managers, and business leaders. The program aims to support the growth of the XR ecosystem by offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to cutting-edge technology. The event will also feature the AWE Gaming Hub, showcasing the latest developments in XR gaming.

The Augmented World Expo 2025 promises to be a pivotal event for the XR industry, bringing together innovators, investors, and enthusiasts to explore the future of immersive technology. As the industry continues to evolve, AWE 2025 will serve as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and the advancement of XR technology.