This June, the global XR community converged once again at Augmented World Expo USA 2025 (AWE) , which happens to be the world’s longest-running and largest conference dedicated to Augmented and Virtual Reality.
Now celebrating its 16th anniversary, the event brought together over 5,000 attendees, 250 exhibitors, and 450 speakers to share bold ideas and game-changing technologies shaping the future of Extended Reality (XR) and Spatial Computing.
At the center of this year’s theme was the AI+XR imperative, highlighting the synergistic evolution of artificial intelligence and immersive technology, and how this convergence is redefining the way we interact with digital content and the physical world. As Ori Inbar stated in his Opening Key Note, “There’s no AI without XR”, and “XR IS GOING MAINSTREAM!”. This set the right tone to kick off the event.
And Odders was there! We’re excited to share a quick recap of the most important highlights from the event, and also spotlight our own participation in the conversation shaping the future of immersive experiences.
Odders and The Art and Craft of Making Mixed Reality Games
We were proud to see our Chief Strategy Officer, Jaime Pichardo, invited to speak on a featured panel titled “The Art and Craft of Making Mixed Reality Games.” Joined by industry leaders from Meta, 3lbXR, Eggscape Entertainment, and Corbomite Games, the discussion explored the unique challenges and design principles driving the next generation of immersive gameplay. From balancing physical context with digital freedom to leveraging AI in real-time interaction, the session provided deep insight into how top studios are reimagining the boundaries of Mixed Reality.
Key Announcements at AWE 2025
Beyond engaging panels and networking opportunities, AWE 2025 was a launchpad for several groundbreaking announcements reflecting the rapid acceleration of XR technologies across consumer and enterprise sectors.
Android XR Ushers in a New Era of Immersive Platforms
Google’s keynote introduced more information about Android XR, the operating system built specifically for XR headsets and glasses, powered by Gemini AI. In a joint presentation by Juston Payne and Said Bakadir from Qualcomm, attendees got a first look at how Android XR is positioned to enable seamless blending of physical and digital environments.
XREAL’s CEO, Chi Xu, unveiled Project Aura, a line of XR glasses engineered for the Android XR platform. The demo showcased spatial computing capabilities supported by XREAL’s proprietary X1 chip, signaling the company’s ambition to lead in hardware innovation tailored to Google’s expanding ecosystem.
Snap’s Vision for Lightweight, AI-Powered Specs
In a bold statement underscoring a decade of investment, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel teased the next evolution of Specs, set to launch in 2026. Designed as an AI-first wearable computer, the new Specs will feature transparent lenses that enhance the real world with rich, interactive digital layers.
With advanced machine learning and spatial awareness at their core, Snap’s new devices promise to redefine how users engage with entertainment, productivity, and social interaction, blurring the lines between the physical and digital like never before.
Qualcomm’s Roadmap to Standalone Smart Glasses
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. showcased a series of Mixed and Augmented Reality demos across key sectors, from fitness to education, highlighting its expanding footprint in XR innovation.
During his keynote, Ziad Asghar, SVP & GM of XR at Qualcomm, introduced the Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1, a next-generation processor built to support standalone AI-powered smart glasses. With processing done entirely on-device, Qualcomm is laying the groundwork for flexible, scalable AR products, from value-tier consumer devices to premium enterprise solutions.
As Hugo Swart and Juston Payne emphasized, the platform is engineered to support a diverse product ecosystem, bridging Virtual See-Through (VST), Optical See-Through (OST), and a wide spectrum of XR modalities.
Looking Ahead
AWE 2025 reaffirmed what we’ve long believed: the intersection of AI and XR is not a distant vision, it’s clearly unfolding now. The event reflected a maturing industry that’s not only growing but converging in powerful ways.
At Odders Lab, we’re energized by the momentum across the XR space and committed to pushing its boundaries further through immersive design, strategic insight, and pioneering collaboration.
