<p>Ori Inbar, CEO and Co-Founder of AWE and Super Ventures, will welcome attendees to the 15th annual AWE EU 2024 event where he will break down the state of the XR Industry, celebrate its rich history and the pioneers who built its foundation, and contemplate our XR+AI future.</p>

<p>The rise of metaverse technologies and AI are reshaping the way we experience our physical and digital worlds. While the physical world around us is amazing — it’s the convergence of our physical and digital worlds that defines our reality. Yet too often, we rely on screens to tap into virtual spaces and content—and that can pull us away from the moment and the people we’re physically with.</p> <p>These technologies are going to shape the future of how teams connect and how work gets done. And we believe together they make something even bigger than the sum of their parts.</p> <p>In this session, we’ll delve into how business leaders are harnessing new technologies to drive innovation and explore the key technology areas we're investing in to ensure this vision of a future computing platform is accessible to everyone.</p>

<p>Learn about Niantic's 3D map powering spatial computing and new releases that make it increasingly seamless to build and deploy high-fidelity real-world XR experiences across devices, from mobile to headset</p>

<p>Just a few weeks ago, Snap launched its latest groundbreaking innovation: the new Spectacles, powered by Snap OS. Join Daniel Wagner, Snap’s Senior Director, to discover what sets Spectacles apart from other devices on the market and learn how Snap is aiming to become the most developer-friendly platform in the world.</p>

<p>Food is available for purchase at ACV.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Join us in the Expo Hall and Playground areas to meet sponsors and exhibitors, discover the latest AR/VR tech, check out the newest start-ups, make connections, and more.</p>

<p>Gadgets like computers and smartphones have become essential to our daily lives, but in their current form, they limit our potential. They are often bulky and fragile, and require multiple devices to perform various tasks, all while harming both humans and the environment. XPANCEO's founders — Roman Axelrod, an experienced entrepreneur, and Dr. Valentyn Volkov, an internationally renowned expert in novel materials and nanophotonics — explore the evolution of these devices, envision the future of computing, and showcase the groundbreaking technologies beyond silicon that will drive us into the era of the next generation of computing.</p>

<p>In this session, we will dive into what makes a good lens and the properties of optical materials that impact the user experience for true augmented reality glasses. As most of the world’s population requires some form of vision correction, ophthalmic properties must be considered in the design of optical combiners. We will explore how physical aspects such as impact resistance and weight, as well as optical performance, including birefringence and chromatic aberration, affect the vision of reality we aim to augment.</p>

<p>Join us for 'Play to Learn: Gamified Education in Action,' as we dive into the creation and the success story of 'The Fantastic Palastics' platform, offering educational and entertaining experiences for kids and families at the Belvedere Museum in Vienna. Learn more about seamlessly integrating new technology such as augmented reality. Discover creative collaboration strategies with partners like Niantic, Inc., creators of #PokemonGo. Gain valuable insights into our roadmap and visitor touchpoints. Leave with actionable learnings and practical tips to construct innovative museum experiences for tomorrow’s generation.</p>

<p>We see a significant demand in the industry to unlock the power of its 3D data. Learn how Unity’s Technology can streamline workflows, improve collaboration and drive better decision-making by making the right 3D data easily accessible to the right person, at the right time, in the right format and for the right devices.</p>

<p>Mobile AR has been around for almost ten years. And yet very few people on earth use AR on a regular basis. The augmented reality medium, which is near limitless in possibilities, can’t seem to gain traction with mass audiences. In this keynote, Tropos AR evangelist Sven Van de Perre clarifies how the medium’s instant focus on advertising stifled its growth. Sven builds his case around several of Tropos AR’s clients, that adopted AR and placed it at the core of their platform, leading to massive success. The Future of Mobile AR is filled with real business cases and best practices on how to motivate brands to embrace the AR medium for non-ads content. Engaging solutions only possible in this powerful medium, coming to life in front of everyone’s eyes, on stage and above the crowd.</p>

<p>Despite years of promises that wearable sensors and augmented reality (AR) would revolutionize our lives, mass adoption continues to lag behind expectations. Why is it that, aside from a few exceptions like smartwatches, most people aren’t incorporating these advanced technologies into their daily lives?</p> <p>In this session, Dätwyler will critically examine the intersection of wearable sensors and AR, identifying the barriers that have slowed their mainstream success. We explore shared challenges — such as user comfort, obtrusiveness, and perceived value — and how innovations like Dätwyler's SoftPulse™ technology are helping to overcome these obstacles. Through case studies and comparisons, we’ll uncover lessons AR and wearable sensors can learn from each other and how they might finally achieve mass adoption.</p>

<p>This talk delves into the practical application of Mixed Reality (MR) in the realm of automotive production. Drawing from specific examples for AR-training, Remote Support and Workflow Guidance at Audi, we will discuss what real-world challenges we had and have to solve for a sustainable implementation of MR within our factories.</p>

<p>In the rapidly evolving landscape of AR, the true value lies in identifying and leveraging use cases where AR distinctly outshines traditional technologies like smartphones. This talk, presented jointly by researchers from Cambridge Consultants will showcase scenarios where AR's immersive capabilities provide unparalleled advantages. We will describe our research, going beyond displaying information, to allow AR users to identify, connect to, and bind digital assets to physical systems, and then control those systems through natural gestures. From revolutionising remote expert collaboration to enabling a user to 'see the unseen', we'll explore how AR is redefining experiences across different industries. We'll also touch on the unique challenges designers and developers face in crafting these experiences, emphasising the importance of collaboration between the roles during product development. Attendees will gain insights into what AR can bring (which couldn't be done via another interface) through real-world examples, coming from those designing and developing the experiences themselves. We'll illustrate how to harness AR to create impactful, innovative solutions that go beyond the limitations of a flat screen.</p>

<p>For years, we have talked about the promise of a future with XR and the metaverse. That ‘future’ is here! Join us as we explore the ways AI-powered XR wearables are providing tangible solutions to real world challenges.</p>

<p>Learn how to leverage Niantic’s powerful tools to create engaging spatial experiences that inspire exploration and connection. We’ll show you how to build seamless, cross-platform experiences that allow users to interact with the real world in new and immersive ways.<br />  </p>

<p>Join this session for a quick preview featuring a few of the amazing companies in the Hong Kong Pavilion. Then hop on over to the expo hall to visit all twenty companies covering gaming, art, education & training, and business & medical technology. </p>

<p>Buckle up for an exciting journey into Volvo Group’s cutting-edge VR initiatives. Discover how this automotive giant is leveraging virtual reality to transform training and sales efforts across its global operations. With 500+ VR devices deployed across multiple business areas, Volvo Group is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in manufacturing innovation. Discover the top use cases from Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks and Volvo Group University to learn from their challenges in implementing VR modules across multiple departments. This session offers invaluable insights for any organization looking to harness the power of VR for training and operational excellence. Don't miss this opportunity to peek under the hood of one of the most ambitious VR deployments in the transportation industry.</p> <p> </p>

<p>When thinking about how to bring XR technologies to mass adoption, the ISV and end-customers need to consider the trade-offs between HW pricing, features, and supporting services. During this presentation PICO XR will review our HW product roadmap, our associated platform services (SDK, Business Suite, WiFi streaming, LBE mode, etc.), and introduce a new scaling solution coming to PICO devices in Q4 2024.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Mixed Reality is the trend of the moment. After the launch of the Apple  Vision Pro, everyone wants to create experiences in MR. But what is true mixed reality? How is it possible to create a great blend of the real and virtual worlds? This talk tries to address these questions by showing some examples of mixed reality experiences and prototypes that nailed the fusion of realities and giving some hints about how the future of MR could be.</p>

<p>In today's digital immersive landscape, spatial networking and hyper-social virtual worlds are changing the game. Instead of passive livestreams, attendees expect and long for real-time, shared experiences with others. Let's use immersive environments and interaction to transform advertising and digital events. Our goal? Genuine connections that bridge the gap between digital and reality.</p>

<p>Spatial mapping and visual positioning systems offer fast, precise and reliable methods for businesses to create XR content anchored to real-world locations. These technologies enable companies to enhance indoor and outdoor navigation, improve staff training and onboarding and gamify any large-scale space or place.</p> <p>However, for these experiences to be truly scalable, they must function in complex indoor and underground spaces, operate across platforms, and provide enterprises with complete control over their data.</p> <p>In this talk, Connell Gauld, CTO at Zappar, and May Masson, Head of Developers Community at Immersal will demonstrate how to map any location while maintaining ownership of your data in the cloud. Learn how to create scalable location-based XR experiences that work seamlessly across platforms and devices, directly on the web without the need for complex approvals or third-party control.</p>

<p>Enjoy this break between sessions to grab a snack, visit booths, or network throughout the event.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Deploying VR & AR in organizations is difficult without the right tools and partners. Hear from ManageXR’s Head of Business Development, Brooks Filippin, and the Co-Founder & CEO of SynergyXR, Mads Troelsgaard, about how to simplify your VR program. By addressing challenges like manual device setup, device management, and content creation & distribution, organizations can have more success adopting XR. Hear about the proven tools and processes that have resulted in thousands of successful organizational deployments around the world. Embrace simplicity in your organization and deploy XR with ease today.</p>

<p>Drawing on current research programmes in his Trans Realities Lab at Design Academy Eindhoven, Ian will discuss current trends for contextual real-time collaboration at a distance in shared spatial environments (Metaverses / Intravereses / Web 4.0). Ian will present current work on the realisation of super low-latency systems for immersive design collaboration in networked Digital Twins, education, and industry, such as for distributed Virtual Production.</p>

<p>The New Energy for Industry + (NEFI+) network project aims to enhance the understanding and implementation of climate-neutral solutions such as electrification, energy efficiency improvements, circular economy practices, and the use of CO2-neutral gases and hydrogen. NEFI+ is an innovation network comprising science, technology providers, and companies, serving as a central contact point for Austrian-made projects and solutions that significantly contribute to climate neutrality in industry. This initiative, part of the Climate and Energy Fund’s RTI initiative for industrial transformation, strives to accelerate the adoption of domestic innovations on both national and international levels.</p> <p>Leveraging XR, we provide immersive visualizations and simulations that demonstrate the potential impact of GreenTech solutions on reducing carbon emissions. Through case studies and examples within NEFI+, attendees will gain insights into how XR facilitates the design, monitoring, and optimization of these solutions, making complex processes more comprehensible and accessible to stakeholders and the public.</p>

<p>This panel will delve into the real-world experiences of large corporate users who are at the forefront of XR adoption in Austria. The discussion is invaluable for XR solution providers seeking to understand how their technology is being applied in industries like construction, manufacturing, tourism, and public sector IT. While XR has already shown great promise, there remain gaps in both usability and scalability that suppliers need to address. What adds the most value to corporates? What barriers still slow down adoption? How can XR vendors better collaborate with corporate clients to meet their needs? Panelists will explore the specific pain points they’ve encountered—indirectly pointing to areas where XR providers can innovate and improve. Themes will include how XR is perceived in the European market, what features companies truly rely on, and what solutions are required for the next wave of adoption.</p>

<p>Are we introducing barriers that eliminate access to XR?</p> <p>Despite their potential, immersive technologies still present significant accessibility barriers for people with disabilities, hindering meaningful engagement with XR experiences. This session will provide an overview of common accessibility challenges faced in the XR space, drawing upon insights from cutting-edge research and shedding light on invisible, platform-based, and visible barriers. We will then explore the transformative role of the web in mitigating these barriers, showcasing how the web can offer solutions that some traditional XR platforms cannot. Are we introducing barriers that eliminate access to building an accessible XR future on the web?</p> <p>We conclude the session by introducing standard bodies working towards creating more inclusive WebXR experiences, equipping you with actionable steps you can take to become active participants in shaping the future of accessible XR on the web.</p>

<p>Join us for a presentation about the development of a <strong><a href="https://forest.fi/article/digital-twin-of-forest-enters-classrooms-new-technology-assists-in-instruction-on-more-diversified-forest-management/" style="color:#FFA500;" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital twin of a Finnish forest</a></strong> with the help of laser scanning. We have taken it to the simulator and trained the artificial intelligence to look for tree individuals that are different from the rest of the forest. We are able to distinguish, for example, trees that have weakened from leafy green and display them on the map to help the driver. We can simulate different conditions and, for example, the direction of the sun's light. We use API interfaces when using maps, the simulator can be used with VR glasses. We would present tasks and simulation developed for climate-resistant forestry. </p> <p> </p>

<p>Attendees will learn how to conduct competitive analysis specifically tailored for XR design. The talk will provide practical examples and case studies from 2D, 3D, and real-world applications. There will be an emphasis on creating pleasurable and satisfying user experiences through the principles of Hedonomics.</p>

<p>Dental anxiety affects over 61% of people, causing many to avoid necessary care. This session explores how Mixed Reality and Artificial Intelligence can transform the dental experience. Mixed Reality can transport patients to calming virtual and immersive environments during procedures, significantly reducing anxiety and improving comfort. AI further enhances this by providing an immersive copilot that assists dentists in consulting on patient cases and generating treatment plans instantly. These technologies aim to make dental visits more comfortable and engaging, reshaping patient care and paving the way for broader medical applications.</p>

<p>Discover how XR technologies are finally ready to revolutionize how we design and manufacture the products of the future. We'll explore real-world use cases across the automotive, aerospace, and consumer products industries, showcasing how XR is enhancing the design process and driving efficiency, innovation and collaboration. Join us to see how XR is reshaping these sectors and enabling the future through Immersive Engineering.</p>

<p>Coming Soon!</p>

<p><span><span><span style="font-weight:400;">Realistic representation of people in digital space is a goal that a lot of companies have been working on for the past years. Ubiquitous capture of person's likeness and avoiding the uncanny valley are challenging problems. We will discuss generation of recognizable avatars from single images as well as from videos. The session will cover the research around the uncanny valley with specific recommendations that can help developers. Specifically, Avatar SDK will show fully automatic realistic motion capture with the level of quality that far exceeds blendshape-based animation. We will also share a stage with Mercedes-Benz Tech Motion GmbH that will talk about the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection represented in their virtual metaverse museum with our realistic avatars. </span></span></span></p> <div> </div>

<p>NEcOLEAP is a research and development project which aims to secure the competitiveness of the Finnish shipbuilding industry and high-level cruise ship expertise and know-how also in the future in order to build a climate-neutral cruise ship: The Meyer Avatar. The cost estimate of the NEcOLEAP project is approximately EUR 160 million, and the project brings together hundreds of companies and organisations. Communicating a joint vision to this vast group of stakeholders is challenging with traditional mediums, so Meyer Turku has decided to bring it's designs and concepts to the metaverse, so that they can be experienced, navigated and collaborated on by anyone on any device. Meyer Turku Naval Engineer Liina Vahala explains the why's behind the decision, how it was done and presents the metaverse experience.</p>

<p>XR solutions are being scaled globally at Nestle with new users starting to use XR software on a daily basis. For many first time users of XR solutions, GenAI supported software solutions like Nestle‘s global vendor VRdirect, is of great benefit in creating compelling XR applications without the need of complex content production or 3D modeling. Use Cases that benefit from the easy VRdirect workflow can range from onboarding of new employees to interactive sales and marketing applications. In this session Jeremy Moussai from Nestle together with Sara Boss from VRdirect will showcase recent XR applications by Nestle created with VRdirect‘s GenAI solution.</p>

<p>After ten years of consumer-oriented VR, the industry continues to struggle with challenges in accessibility, scalability, and user experience design. This session will explore the ongoing challenges in developing intuitive and inclusive user experiences in this evolving domain. Join David and Lisa for a candid discussion on the present and future of VR design ways forward to more intuitive and inclusive user experiences. Let’s be honest about the industry's current state and how smarter design decisions can improve it for everyone. We’ll provide a critical examination of where VR design stands, including: - Who is VR really for, and who are we excluding? - How do creators feel about their tools? - What do the limitations of VR say about the medium? - How do we design VR experiences that take audience needs into account? - And most importantly, how do we make it better? We aim to move beyond surface-level discussions to critically analyze VR experiences and their trajectory. The session will conclude with actionable advice for VR creators and best practice strategies for considering user needs and improving the VR experience for everyone.</p>

<p>The unexpected impact in XR enablement delivered by smaller countries in the European Union is not only meaningful but very diverse. In this panel, we'll discuss industry's growth in Finland, Belgium, Portugal and the Baltics, the main policies behind these and the new opportunities arising for any organization in these spaces.</p>

<p>Learn what it takes to go from pilot to value at scale by following BCG X's 10/20/70 rule (10% of the success of XR transformation stems from the data and algorithm, 20% from the tech and 70% from changing people's behaviors) and hear from a leading railway client on how XR has changed the game for their operations.</p> <p>In short BCG X is equipping technicians with XR capabilities on augmented work, redesigning the workflow end to end and delivering tangible efficiency and quality gains in the maintenance of trains, but the principles discussed in this session could help any enterprise client.</p>

<p>AR patterns encompass high-level design patterns covering fundamental concepts for crafting immersive AR experiences. AR patterns serve as a valuable means of communicating proven, reusable solutions to recurring design problems encountered during AR development (see AR Patterns paper: doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-48495-7_6).   We will report on the status of our project to develop a community-driven platform that focuses on AR patterns and that aims to improve collaboration between UX designers and software developers. The project is initiated by Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) together with Zurich University of Arts (ZHdK). The goal is to create and operate a public catalogue of AR Patterns that covers both technical and UX aspects.    A list of AR patterns is collected in a public catalog, including technical as well as User Experience (UX) aspects. AR pattern diagrams foster a consistent presentation and technology-agnostic documentation of AR design patterns. The AR patterns in the catalog are illustrated by textual descriptions, visual illustrations of spatial scenarios, pattern diagrams and UI examples. Additionally, AR patterns are exemplified by platform-specific source code samples.   By releasing the platform in autumn 2024, we are inviting the XR community to contribute and collaborate on AR patterns to jointly establish a common understanding and to provide sample code organized according to AR patterns.</p>

<p>The introduction of the AI Act marks a pivotal moment for the XR ecosystem, setting a new regulatory framework for AI applications within virtual worlds. This panel will explore the convergence of the AI Act with the rapidly evolving virtual worlds, focusing on the impact of regulations on innovation, user privacy, and market dynamics. The discussion will emphasize how to ensure a balance between technological advancement, compliance, and ethical considerations.</p>

<p>In today's competitive retail landscape, standing out requires innovative marketing strategies. Immersive marketing, powered by augmented reality (AR), offers a powerful way to engage customers and drive significant returns on investment.</p> <p>Join us to explore how to leverage AR ads, WebAR integration, and spatial websites to create effective marketing campaigns that resonate with your audience and deliver exceptional results.</p>

<p>Join us in the Expo Hall and Playground areas to meet sponsors and exhibitors, discover the latest AR/VR tech, check out the newest start-ups, make connections, and more.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Food is available for purchase at ACV.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Through the lens of the Global Collaboration Village, this talk will explore how VR technology is enabling world leaders in government and business to tackle critical challenges such as the climate crisis, global security, and business innovation. By transforming abstract data into immersive, tangible experiences, the Village is enhancing decision-making and fostering collaboration, allowing leaders to visualize, and get close to, complex issues in ways that traditional methods cannot enable.</p> <p>I will also share how the World Economic Forum is using the Global Collaboration Village's VR capabilities to democratize access to global insights and key decision-makers, highlighting the measurable impact of this initiative to drive meaningful change.</p>

<p>What makes companies stand out, what are investors looking for, what are they avoiding, and what are some of the biggest mistakes start-ups make when pitching VCs? During this panel session, investors who focus on AR/VR, spatial computing and related technologies will share best practices, advice, and information to help you capitalize on all opportunities.</p>

<p>Astronaut training has been employing VR and XR technologies since the 1990s. The spatial technologies have been involved for a number of training cases, from moonwalk studies to robotic arm simulators.</p> <p>Until recently, Zero Gravity experiences were found mainly in VR games, but not in real astronaut training. Starting in 2020, the European Space Agency (ESA) has been developing XR training for Zero G methods together with PaleBlue, an industrial VR company. Getting input from astronauts such as Samantha Cristoforetti and Luca Parmitano, ESA and PaleBlue have created a training simulator modeling the effects of Zero G locomotion in an XR setting, allowing simulator training for the astronauts’ work at the International Space Station.</p> <p>Furthermore, parabolic flight campaigns have been employed to perform motion capture of humans in weightlessness to further improve the accuracy of virtual zero gravity motions and effects. Today, astronauts go through XR training to familiarize themselves with the layout of the International Space Station (ISS), learn to move in weightlessness, and the tool is promising in building resistance to motion sickness. ESA astronaut Marcus Wandt has recently completed VR training in the simulator and in 2024 traveled to the ISS on the Muninn mission onboard Axiom-3.</p> <p>This talk will cover the topics of applying XR technologies to advanced professional training, namely preparing astronauts for the work at the International Space Station.</p>

<p>Scaling XR technologies is one of the biggest challenges for large enterprises today when implementing AR and VR. Join Kasper Lyhne Hansen, Product Architect at Vestas, and Mads Troelsgaard and Sune Wolff from SynergyXR, as they share the strategies enabling Vestas to move away from custom-built AR and VR applications to pioneer XR at scale.<br /><br /><strong>What to Expect:</strong></p> <ul><li><strong>Vestas’ XR journey:</strong> Understand Vestas' transition from custom-built solutions to scalable XR platforms across its global operations.</li> <li><strong>Strategic insights:</strong> Understand the key challenges and effective solutions for scaling XR in large organizations.</li> <li><strong>A major announcement:</strong> Get an exclusive preview of a groundbreaking new tool that will transform scalable XR training for businesses, setting a new standard in the industry.</li> </ul><p>This session offers a deep dive into Vestas’ experience with XR and an exclusive look at an innovation from SynergyXR that will unlock the full potential of immersive learning programs for enterprises.<br />  </p>

<p>Join us for an insightful breakout session featuring Laura Chambers from Snap Inc. and Shan Jiang from Niantic, moderated by Addison Black, as they dive into the creative and technical process of building Lenses for Spectacles 2024. Learn from the experts as they share their experiences, including how Niantic brought the Peridot Lens to life for the Spectacles, leveraging Snap's AR platform and OS. This session will offer AR creators and developers a behind-the-scenes look at the possibilities, challenges, and best practices in creating Lenses for the Spectacles.</p> <p>Key take-aways: </p> <ol><li>Discover the future possibilities of augmented reality on wearables, understanding how to push creative and technical boundaries when designing for Spectacles</li> <li>Learn how to build connected AR experiences using Spectacles</li> <li>Gain a deep understanding of the technical nuances behind Niantic’s development of the Peridot Lens for Spectacles</li> </ol>

<p>This informative session will help attendees learn more about the Enea Operator training bus and how it was implemented. The main goal of the implemented project is to build a flexible, innovative virtual reality system for conducting training of technical service employees, containing interactive virtual training scenarios for selected (15 GPZ) Main Power Supply Points, Medium Voltage stations (9 power facilities) and a training center for live work.</p> <p> The most important feature of the system from the point of view of its implementation in EO is the ability to freely expand the content contained therein with additional scenarios and energy infrastructure objects, thanks to the use of knowledge engineering techniques and partial automation of the content preparation process, among others using contactless digitization techniques.</p>

<p>Throught the work done in different countries : France with the Employment Agency and AFPA, US with Boys and Girls, Pakistan with NED University, we will introduce what are the key elements to make Immersive Learning efficient for talent detection and skills development. We will go throught some essential KPI to follow-up during design and integration of XR content in Education. This should lead to precise and pre-defined ROI that must be tracked once the solution is used. Training team is also a key element for the integration of such a revolution. We will focus on this human factor and how to make sure it will be efficiently integrated into the final equation.</p>

<p>In this session, attendees will learn how to apply the principles of the Play Economy to their own businesses. Participants will learn how to create immersive experiences and integrate AI and XR into their product and marketing strategies. Key elements of this session include: </p> <ul><li>Immersive Experience Design: Participants will learn the basics of crafting immersive, interactive experiences that place customers at the center of the narrative.</li> <li>Leveraging AI and XR: Attendees will explore how to use AI for personalization and XR for creating engaging, hybrid experiences.</li> <li>Ethics and Emotional Intelligence: We'll address ethical considerations of designing these experiences and how to enhance emotional intelligence through play. </li> </ul>

<p>This talk will explore the creation of Engineering-grade Augmented Reality (EGAR) technology for construction, providing an overview of our mission, the technical implications of EGAR for construction and real-world examples.</p>

<p>​​Dive into the future of education with RTC Antwerp’s groundbreaking VR initiative. Discover how they orchestrated the world's largest VR education project, deploying 1,100 Pico 4 headsets to empower 150,000 students across 700 schools. From logistical hurdles to content curation, uncover the strategies that made this massive rollout possible. Learn how RTC Antwerp is revolutionizing learning with a 300-strong VR training library spanning 30 subjects, and gain invaluable insights on scaling VR in education and enterprise. This session is a must for innovators looking to transform learning and training at scale.</p>

<p>Join us as start-up founders pitch to our panel of judges for a chance to be named AWE EU's "Startup to Watch" for 2024. The winner will be announced at the <a href="https://www.awexr.com/eu-2024/agenda/663" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Wrap-Up and Best in Show Awards</span></a> on Main Stage. </p> <p><strong>Judges:</strong></p> <ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.awexr.com/eu-2024/speakers/447-petri-rajahalme" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Petri Rajahalme - FOV Ventures</span></a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.awexr.com/eu-2024/speakers/1135-martin-herdina" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Martin Herdina - Hololight</span></a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://awexr.com/eu-2024/speakers/482-gina-king"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Gina King - Supernode Global</span></a></strong></li> </ul><p><strong>Start-Up Pitch Founders:</strong></p> <ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.awexr.com/eu-2024/speakers/1148-tamer-aslan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Tamer Aslan - City Games Vienna</span></a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.awexr.com/eu-2024/speakers/481-cai-felip" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Cai Felip -  Union Avatars</span></a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.awexr.com/eu-2024/speakers/1150-hanna-gegenhuber" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Hanna Gegenhuber - InnovationsMacherIn</span></a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.awexr.com/eu-2024/speakers/1147-adele-keane" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Adele Keane - Imvizar</span></a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.awexr.com/eu-2024/speakers/1151-artem-kolomatskyi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Artem Kolomatskyi - TouchXR</span></a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.awexr.com/eu-2024/speakers/1152-sara-leander-pehrson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Sara Leander-Pehrson - Heka VR</span></a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.awexr.com/eu-2024/speakers/434-maria-le-mura" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Maria Le Mura - Beyond Words</span></a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.awexr.com/eu-2024/speakers/1154-mai-ye" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Mai Ye - Reality-B</span></a></strong></li> </ul><p><strong>Track Chair:</strong></p> <ul><li><strong><a href="https://awexr.com/eu-2024/speakers/1157-paige-piskin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:#ffa500;">Paige Piskin, Social AR Developer, Influencer, and Designer</span></a></strong></li> </ul>

<p>Join me for an insightful session exploring the synergy between human creativity and artificial intelligence. Discover how Krea.ai facilitates a real-time inspiration feedback loop in VR sculpting in real-time. I will showcase how AI-generated images, created from prompts based on my VR sculptures, can inspire and enhance the creative process. Gain a deeper understanding of how AI can augment artistic vision and transform VR sculpting into a collaborative effort between human and machine intelligence.</p>

<p>Why is VR adoption in middle and high schools still so low, despite hands-on education being one of the most obvious use cases for VR? Many challenges go beyond software development, such as pedagogical design, teacher training, frictionless hardware experience, and reseller incentives. These challenges can be too much for a single developer, a school, or even large groups of them to handle. The case study of educational VR developer Futuclass and the Regional Technological Center (RTC) Antwerpen suggests that for successful integration of virtual reality into K-12 education, the efforts of developers alone may not suffice, and well-coordinated and centrally funded efforts are needed.</p>

<p>Talking through use cases we have developed for financial services and the integration of AR/VR, particularly for Data Visuzlaition, and use VR for CMR integration tools such as Salesforce.</p>

<p>Enjoy this break between sessions to grab a snack, visit booths, or network throughout the event.</p>

<p>AWS Partners and industry experts will share how they're leveraging the power of AWS to build secure, scalable, and compliant XR solutions for the enterprise. Learn how customers are scaling immersive experiences, their strategies for overcoming integration challenges, managing growing user demands, and ensuring data privacy and regulatory compliance. Discover how these companies are utilizing AWS services to drive innovation and unlock the full potential of XR within their organizations. Whether you're new to XR or a seasoned veteran, this panel will equip you with the insights and best practices needed to accelerate your enterprise's XR transformation journey. Join us as we explore the transformative impact of cloud powered XR experiences.</p>

<p>Join Procter & Gamble (P&G) Poland, alongside IVG.World and Women In Immersive Tech Europe (WIIT Europe), as they showcase their case study of their Mars Immersion XR Program—a groundbreaking initiative designed to inspire and educate through immersive technology. This program invites Gen Alpha and Gen Z girls from Poland to lead a journey to Mars, where they design a new society using the powerful tools of XR. Learn how these young innovators tackled the challenge of 'Period Shaming' by creating 3D immersive worlds that not only break taboos but also empower young women worldwide. Through hands-on experiences in 3D world design, Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT), storytelling, and Metaverse world-building, this program is shaping the future of technology and fostering a new generation of female leaders. Discover the impact this initiative has had, not just on the participants, but on P&G as they cultivate future talent and drive social change."</p>

<p>Step into your colleague's shoes and experience the world through their eyes. That's the transformative power of 'In My Shoes', PwC's VR racial awareness intervention training. Initially deployed to over 25,000 of our employees, this internal-only virtual reality application was so successful that it was eventually requested by clients all over the world from the UK to Australia. Join the team that developed the experience as we relive the emotional highs and lows, debate the technology choices we made, and announce the data we've collected from deploying this groundbreaking initiative.</p>

<p>As we enter a new technological age, the combined potential for artificial intelligence and immersive media is vast. Powered by devices capable of providing spatial experiences and driven by AI, this new age of computing has the potential to create new experiences that will revolutionise segments -- from education to eCommerce. By approaching these developments with a critical and playful mindset, we as a society can work towards a a new future. To get there, we will need to leave Web2 behind and embrace the principles and opportunities brought by Web3 (and beyond) by combining creativity, inclusivity and a new take into digital literacy. The result will be an exciting new landscape full of immersive-native experiences that will redefine today's media.</p>

<p>The global introduction of Electrical Trucks and travel stop due to the Covid pandemic forced Volvo Trucks to make a big change in “hands-on” training set up for technicians. The start of a large scale VR implementation in a retail network took place and has been even further expanded within the Volvo Trucks organization.</p> <p>Several thousands of technicians and sales personnel globally has been joining multi-user online VR sessions since the start and the feedback has been great.</p> <p>Volvo Trucks has high ambitions going forward and is investing a lot in VR for training purpose and sees a lot of opportunities of the evolution in the VR field.</p>

<p>Join us for a journey on technical and ethical implications to consider when creating an AI driven chatbot for social VR while also focusing on conducive immersive design approaches for AI NPCs in particular and virtual environments in general. Based on Christina XaosPrincess Kinne's MA thesis, she'll provide insight for attendees about the current capabilities of natural language processing AIs and to provide the knowledge needed to positively influence the evolution of artificial intelligence in immersive environments.<br />  </p>

<p>Join Ethan Rasiel and Amanda Proscia, authors of the Best-Selling book PR Confidential: Unlocking the Secrets to Creating a Powerful Public Image, for expert guidance on how XR companies can earn top-tier media coverage.</p> <p>Rasiel and Proscia are the co-founders of Lightspeed PR/M, a technology-focused PR agency now in its eleventh year of helping tech companies make headlines worldwide and move the needle for growth and sales. Their presentation will walk through both the specific challenges faced by the XR industry and how to create success outside of the EU. We'll cover:</p> <ul><li>The cultural differences between reporters in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere</li> <li>How public relations agencies tend to work differently in different regions</li> <li>The key news outlets that you'll want to target in the U.S. to achieve maximum success</li> </ul><p>Attendees will leave with a clear blueprint for creating a PR strategy that can deliver exposure where you need to be.</p>

<p style="text-indent:0px;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#222222;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><span><span><span style="font-weight:400;"><span style="letter-spacing:normal;"><span><span style="text-transform:none;"><span><span style="word-spacing:0px;"><span style="white-space:normal;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff;"><span><span><span>Construction site accidents, especially those involving large construction machinery, pose a serious safety risk. Current training methods, which are mainly centred around PowerPoint presentations and short on-site briefings, do not adequately capture the complexity of the working environment. In particular, the challenges posed by confined spaces or obstructions that restrict safe routes, as well as machine operators' limited fields of vision and blind spots, are often not adequately communicated. As a result, employees often underestimate the actual dangers and restrictions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-indent:0px;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#222222;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><span><span><span style="font-weight:400;"><span style="letter-spacing:normal;"><span><span style="text-transform:none;"><span><span style="word-spacing:0px;"><span style="white-space:normal;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff;"><span><span><span>This is precisely where the BuildsaVeR project comes in: By developing an innovative Virtual Reality (VR) training app, the safety awareness of employees is increased. The focus is on conveying the perspective of machine operators and their restricted field of vision. By changing their perspective in immersive VR, participants gain a deep understanding of the challenges faced by operators and the potentially hazardous situations for other employees on construction sites, which contributes to a lasting improvement in safety awareness.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-indent:0px;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#222222;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><span><span><span style="font-weight:400;"><span style="letter-spacing:normal;"><span><span style="text-transform:none;"><span><span style="word-spacing:0px;"><span style="white-space:normal;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff;"><span><span><span>In this talk, we will demonstrate how XR can revolutionize workplace safety and highlight its impact using the BuildsaVeR project as a concrete example.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p>In a world where technology is rapidly transforming every aspect of life, education must evolve to keep pace. Discover how the learning industry is bridging with tech to create an adaptive learning ecosystem that is not only technologically advanced but deeply human-centered. It's time to challenge conventional educational paradigms and explore the radical possibilities that AI and XR offer for creating more personalized, immersive, and impactful learning experiences. This new ecosystem can reshape learning experiences and prepare the next generation of tech-forward leaders to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Don’t miss this opportunity to see firsthand how cutting-edge technologies are redefining the future of learning, unlocking new possibilities, and daring us to rethink everything we know about education.</p>

<p>Join AWE Co-Founder, Ori Inbar for a quick summary of the event and for the announcement of the AWE EU 2024 Best in Show winners!</p>