Augmented World Expo 2024: Innovations in XR Technology
The Augmented World Expo (AWE) is set to kick off today in Long Beach, California, marking its 15th annual event. With over 300 exhibitors, 500 speakers, and an expected attendance of 6,000, the expo is a gathering place for the XR community to share news and showcase the latest advancements in augmented and virtual reality. This year, AWE has relocated from Silicon Valley to Los Angeles, bringing a fresh perspective to the event.
Keynote speakers at AWE 2024 include industry leaders such as Nicola Sebastiani, CCO at The Sandbox; Shelley Peterson, founder of Wizard Wells; Jasmine Roberts of Microsoft Research; and Jenna Seiden, SVP at Skydance. These speakers will shed light on the innovations happening within the XR community and highlight the importance of pushing boundaries and embracing immersive technologies.
One notable product making waves at AWE is the VR Shoes developed by Freeaim, a company founded by Ashley Foxcroft. Freeaim aims to launch its omnidirectional shoes by 2025, offering users a unique experience that combines physical movement with virtual reality. By running in place in the real world while feeling like they’re on a run in the immersive world, users can enhance their gaming experience. This innovative approach to locomotion demonstrates how technology can bridge the gap between physical and virtual realities.
The market value of virtual reality in gaming is projected to skyrocket from $16.86 billion in 2024 to a staggering $105.22 billion by 2032. With such exponential growth expected, it’s no wonder companies like Freeaim are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in VR.
AWE 2024 also recognizes the contributions of pioneers in the XR industry by inducting Tony Parisi into the AWE Hall of Fame. Parisi is known for his work in VRML and the early days of virtual reality, and this recognition highlights the importance of his contributions to the field.
Blended reality experiences are also gaining traction, with companies like Infinite Rabbit Holes showcasing their augmented reality game, The Arkham Asylum Files. By blending real paper files and tactile objects with digital elements that can be seen through AR glasses, players are immersed in the world of Batman. This unique approach to storytelling in AR demonstrates the vast potential for blending physical and digital elements to create engaging experiences.
Sony and Siemens have joined forces to showcase the power of XR design. Thaisa Yamamura, head of XR business development at Sony, is unveiling Sony’s new XR products, including a spatial content creation system and a motion capture device. These technologies enable engineers and designers to create and design in virtual reality, revolutionizing the way they work. By incorporating unique ring-shaped controllers and collaborating with Siemens, Sony is pushing the boundaries of XR design and demonstrating its potential for real-world applications.
Wevr, a leading developer of virtual reality games and interactive experiences, is also making waves in the XR industry. With recent funding for spatial computing and real-time 3D production, Wevr is expanding its Virtual Studio technology and capabilities. Neville Spiteri, CEO of Wevr, believes that VR has escaped the slowdown in games due to its focus on blue ocean technologies and entertainment. Wevr’s ongoing development of the Virtual Studio platform empowers game developers to create immersive experiences on various devices and screen formats.
Another notable player in the XR space is Xreal, a company with a mission to bring augmented reality glasses to everyone. Xreal has sold 350,000 pairs of glasses and is introducing its Xreal Beam Pro product at AWE 2024. The Beam Pro is an Android mobile companion device that enhances the usability of AR glasses. By bringing apps from the Google Play Store into the 3D space when viewed through Xreal AR glasses, users can enjoy a spatial touch to their mobile internet experience. With its affordable price point of around $200 and compatibility with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform, Xreal Beam Pro aims to make AR glasses more accessible to the masses.
AWE 2024 is a testament to the continuous innovation happening in the XR community. From VR Shoes that revolutionize locomotion in virtual reality to groundbreaking XR design tools and immersive AR experiences, the future of XR technology looks promising. As more companies and individuals embrace these technologies, we can expect to see even more exciting advancements in the years to come. So let’s stay tuned and get ready to immerse ourselves in the world of augmented reality.