AWE 2025: XR Goes Mainstream
Source: forbes.com
The Augmented World Expo (AWE) will be held in Long Beach from June 10 to 12, 2025. This 16th annual XR industry event is expected to have over 5,000 attendees and 250 exhibitors. The conference includes speakers from the immersive tech field. AWE 2025 intends to highlight the convergence of spatial computing and AI regarding XR adoption.
According to AWE co-founder Ori Inbar, the hardware and tools are ready, and AI is helping lower barriers to entry. He is calling on builders to create content for everyone.
AWE 2025 Highlights
The conference and expo will run for three days, preceded by hackathons and a welcome party. Executives from Meta, Snap, Niantic, Google, Qualcomm, and XREAL are scheduled to attend. Keynote speakers include Evan Spiegel (Snap), Nolan Bushnell (Atari), and Palmer Luckey (Anduril).
Featured Subcommunities
AWE 2025 will highlight three XR subcommunities. The “Builder’s Nexus” will showcase teams from global hackathons using generative AI. The “Gaming Hub” will feature VR studios and content creators like Nacy, Nathie, and SadlyItsBradley. A VIP program will cater to Enterprise XR, which represents 71% of the market, focusing on healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and defense.
Inbar noted the synergy between AI and XR, stating XR is becoming the user interface for AI.
Many exhibitors will feature AI integrations. More than 20 eyewear companies will demo headsets, glasses, and AI assistants. Snap’s next-generation Spectacles will be showcased by developers. Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses are also expected to be present.
AWE’s Playground will feature installations and interactive demos, including an expanded version of Brett Bushnell’s “Dream Park.”
Mike Boland of AR Insider said that AWE is a must-attend event for those in immersive media, AI, and real-world applications.
Exhibitor Previews
Niantic Spatial will debut with partnership news and demos for spatial technology in warehousing, spatial planning, and immersive entertainment. Brian McClendon is scheduled to present a keynote.
Qualcomm’s booth will feature MR & AR demos across entertainment, education, and fitness. Ziad Asghar from Qualcomm will present a keynote on spatial computing for developers and enterprise.
Snap will showcase Snap Spectacles, with Snap CEO Evan Spiegel making announcements about Snap's AR developer platform.
XREAL will display its new smart glasses, Project Aura, for the Android XR platform, along with the XREAL One Series AR glasses and the XREAL EYE camera attachment.
Sony XYN will unveil its latest immersive technology, including hardware like a glasses-free 3D display, motion capture system, XR headsets, and software solutions such as Motion Studio and Spatial Capture.
Auki Labs will showcase AR/AI and robotics solutions, including AR navigation using a QR code.
Cellid’s CEO Satoshi Shiraga will preview waveguide and lens breakthroughs for consumer-grade AR glasses, including ultra-thin waveguides and next-Gen Precision Fit Lenses.