#United States #Long Beach #Augmented World Expo #AWE 2026 #XR Hall of Fame

Unveiling a New Era at AWE USA 2026

As the Augmented World Expo (AWE) USA 2026 prepares to commence in the vibrant Long Beach, California, the global XR community is on the brink of a remarkable celebration. Scheduled from June 15 to June 18, this year promises to deliver an unprecedented showcase of advancements in Extended Reality (XR), drawing attention from innovators and enthusiasts alike.

Celebrating Innovation and Creativity

Entering its 17th year, AWE is poised to honor several groundbreaking figures by inducting eight new members into the XR Hall of Fame. This initiative, which acknowledges the trailblazers who have significantly influenced the XR landscape, highlights contributions spanning immersive art, motion tracking, hardware development, and safety standards within the XR ecosystem. The key inductees include influential figures such as:

• - Al Rodgers — Inventor of Motion Tracking
• - Rebecca Allen — Pioneering Artist in 3D CG and VR
• - Karl Guttag — Advocate for AR Display Accuracy
• - Brett Leonard — Visionary Director of The Lawnmower Man
• - Lance Loesberg — Innovator in 360° Video
• - Charlie Fink — Influential Voice in the Metaverse Creation
• - Kay Stanney — Advocate for XR Safety Standards
• - Kiira Benz — Innovative Theatre Pioneer in XR

These luminaries will be celebrated throughout the expo, culminating in a special ceremony during the Auggie Awards.

Inaugural AWE USA 2026 Art Festival

AWE is thrilled to unveil the Official Selection for its inaugural Art Festival, spotlighting 13 innovative projects from top creators worldwide. This artistic showcase renews the commitment to immersive storytelling and interactive art, providing a platform for nine award-winning projects and four world premieres. Some notables include:

• - Oto's Planet from Luxembourg
• - D-Day The Camera Soldier from France
• - Wild Sounds of Wales from the UK
• - Biophonic from the USA

The selection process was rigorous, drawing a plethora of submissions from creative minds eager to push boundaries in artistic expression through technology.

Bridging Academia and Industry with Research

Adding to the excitement this year is the debut of the AWE Research Poster Track. For the first time, academic researchers and innovators will present cutting-edge research directly within the expo environment, fostering dialogue between academia and industry. Out of 40 submitted proposals, 15 were accepted to exhibit innovative findings in fields like healthcare and immersive storytelling.

Key presentations include:

• - Neural Correlates of Visual Form — presented by Shabnam Salehi
• - Real-Time Spatial Digital Twin of Beef Cattle Production — presented by Ruhee Nagulwar
• - AlphaRise: A Neurofeedback Game for MS Management — presented by Ned Shoaei

This initiative aims to enhance engagement and interaction, providing attendees the chance to experience prototypes and XR systems firsthand.

Spotlight on Emerging Talent in XR

The AWE Startup Pitch Competition continues to highlight the next wave of XR innovation, with finalists showcasing promising companies that are set to transform the industry. This year's competition features:

• - MetaNeural Inc.
• - Biel Glasses
• - Provision Surgical

Each finalist will have the opportunity to present their groundbreaking technologies live, providing valuable insights into the future of immersive computing.

Join the Global XR Community

AWE 2026 is not just an event; it’s a convergence of ideas and collaborations among industry leaders, startups, and pioneers. Media passes are currently available for journalists and content creators, and tickets for the event can be purchased. AWE is expected to host over 250 exhibitors and engage more than 5,000 attendees this year, with a theme centered around 'I, Spatial – Humans Empowered by Spatial AI.' The event promises to be a crucial gathering aimed at empowering humans through spatial technologies, signifying a commitment to responsible innovation in an AI-driven landscape.

For more details on participation and ticket purchases, visit AWE's official site.