Sugar Creative at AWE 2024: Exploring the Future of Spatial XR

Sugar MD Jason has just returned from the Augmented World Expo (AWE) in sunny Long Beach, California. AWE is one of the largest events dedicated to AR, VR, and XR technologies, drawing innovators and thought leaders from around the world to explore the latest advancements in immersive tech.

This years theme was all things spatial! and featured a wide array of groundbreaking announcements, including the debut of products like HaptX's G1 Gloves and Sightful's Spacetop laptop, both of which emphasize realistic touch and spatial screen extensions​ These innovations highlight the growing capabilities of spatial computing, a key area of interest for Sugar

AWE 2024 kicked off with several keynotes, including our friends at Niantic. During their keynote, Niantic introduced Niantic Studio, a new visual interface for 8th Wall developers, offering a groundbreaking way to build immersive 3D and XR experiences. This tool is designed to simplify the creation of web-based XR content, making it more accessible for developers by providing real-time visual feedback instead of relying solely on code. Niantic also showcased updates to their Lightship platform, including new tools for scanning real-world objects and locations, which further blend the virtual and real worlds and the upcoming Lightship SDK for the Magic Leap 2 headsets.

During the event, Jason explored the exhibition floor, which showcased over 300 exhibitors, including major players like Meta and Apple. He was able to see and experience new technologies, such as Meta's expansion of Horizon OS to third-party headsets and the ongoing development of Apple's Vision Pro. These advancements are set to shape the future of XR, with a strong focus on mixed reality (MR) and AR functionalities​.

Jason also attended several key talks, including one by Warner Records on how they are using XR to create immersive musical experiences, bringing K-Pop and rock to new audiences in innovative ways​. Another standout session focused on the future of museums and sports stadiums, exploring how these spaces are being transformed through XR to offer more engaging and interactive experiences for visitors.