AWE EU 2019: Interview Highlights

The Augmented World Expo (AWE) may not be on the consumer radar as the event tends to focus on enterprise but that doesn’t mean to say there’s nothing interesting going on. As a matter of fact, the recent AWE EU event in Munich, Germany saw quite the turnout, and naturally, VRFocus caught up with several of them to see what they had in store for the future of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology.

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Exhibitors covered the length and breadth of the VR/AR industry, whether that was Hologate demonstrating its location-based entertainment (LBE) platform allowing up to four people to play at once to Glue, a collaboration platform that’s both customisable and scalable depending on a businesses needs.

In the interview below you’ll hear from the likes of Varjo, the Finnish hardware manufacturer behind the new VR-2 and VR-2 Pro headsets. The company unveiled the two new VR devices just prior to the event, meaning AWE EU was the first time Varjo had demoed them to the public. Needless to say, the Varjo stand remained busy throughout, as attendees tested the high-resolution display alongside Ultraleap’s hand tracking.

Also on hand was Blend Media which had just officially announced Blend Market. This is an online marketplace designed to connect creatives working in the immersive industries with corporate clients looking to hire professionals for projects.

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While there were some big fancy stands by XR’s more prominent companies AWE EU was also about highlighting the smaller startups trying to make their presence known. One of those was Nucurrent, a specialist in wireless charging technology. Fairly standard in high-end smartphones nowadays, Nucurrent displayed its wireless charging system retrofitted to an Oculus Go and its controller using a docking station. Ideal for those who want a storage and charging solution in one.

Check out the interview compilation below. And for all the latest enterprise-focused VR/AR news from around the world, keep reading VRFocus.

Admix & Somnium Space to Showcase Monetization Solution at AWE EU 2019

The Augmented World Expo (AWE) returns to Europe of its fourth event next week, seen as one of the biggest events dedicated to spatial computing. Today, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) monetization platform Admix and immersive social world Somnium Space have announced a partnership for AWE EU 2019 where they’ll showcase innovative monetization solutions for developers.

Somnium Space

The partnership will see both companies host a workshop for VR and AR developers, enabling them to learn about Admix’s methods for non-intrusive advertising within virtual worlds, its integration process and execution of live ads.

“We are excited to partner with AWE, for what is gearing up to be one of the top XR events of the year,” said Admix CEO, Samuel Huber in a statement. “This year, our stand will be showcasing some of our most exciting content creators working with Admix, as well as interview opportunities with both VRFocus and VR/AR Pioneers. We are looking forward to meeting developers building awesome experiences!”

Away from the booth, Huber will be hosting a couple of sessions for those interested in learning about XR advertising: ‘Can XR Save the Advertising World?’, discussing the future of advertising through immersive media, and ‘How to Monetize XR – A Step by Step Workshop by Admix’.

Admix - CyberCity8

Social VR world Somnium Space recently made headlines when it launched a rather unique Initial Land Offering (ILO) last Sunday, 6th October, allowing the public to bid on land parcels within its virtual world. Using the Ethereum blockchain network customers would then own the land to build on or sell on if they so wished.

“We are at AWE to showcase a huge new Somnium 2.0 update as well as our blockchain integration, a technology that is fundamentally changing the way people see, use and own digital assets,” adds Artur Sychov, CEO of Somnium Space. “Admix is a very welcomed tool for our players because it gives full control of non-intrusive VR advertising and instant monetization.”

AWE EU 2019 takes place in Munich, Germany, from 17th – 18th October 2019. It’ll feature a massive lineup of talks and exhibitors, and tickets are still available. For further updates of the event, keep reading VRFocus.

New Speakers & Sessions Confirmed for AWE 2019

There’s just over a week to go until the European leg of the Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2019, offering a chance for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) professionals from around the world to get together, share ideas, and test the latest immersive technologies. As the event details are finalised AWE EU 2019 has confirmed a new bunch of companies and speakers attending, plus the topics they’ll be discussing. 

AWE USA 2019
Image credit: AWE USA 2019

A wide range of companies are now confirmed to speak, including Accenture, American Museum of Natural History, Audi, BBC, Blippar, BMW, Boeing, Bose, Coca-Cola, Deutsche Telekom, EDF Energy, European Parliament, Facebook, Google, HP, HTC Vive, Hugo Boss, L’Oréal, Louvre Museum, Magic Leap, Microsoft, Nestle, PTC, Siemens, Snap, Spatial, Tetra Pak, T-Mobile, Tobii, Varjo Technologies and Volvo.

As for some of the newest and most interesting sessions, whose talking and where:

AWE USA 2019
Image credit: AWE USA 2019

The fourth iteration of AWE in Europe, all the talks will be held alongside the main exhibition for attendees to go hands-on with the latest VR and AR tech.

Tickets are still available to those that wish to attend from 17th – 18th October 2019. You can even use VRFocus‘ AWE EU 2019 code: EUVRFOCUS20 which provides 20% off an all-access ticket. For any further updates, keep reading VRFocus.

AWE EU 2019 Returns in October, Discount Code Inside

The European leg of the Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2019 will commence this October, held across two days in Munich, Germany. Today, the AWE EU 2019 agenda has gone live, revealing a rich lineup of talks focused on current and future augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) technology.

AWE USA 2019
Image credit: AWE USA 2019

Now in its fourth year, AWE EU 2019 will feature some of the leading spatial computing companies from around the world.  Taking to the stage will be the likes of Ori Inbar, Co-Founder, AWE and Super Ventures, holding a session called ‘Enter the Next Dimension with Spatial Computing’, while a multi-panel contingent featuring the BBC, ARTE, Verison Media Group, Euro News and Immersionn will discuss ‘XR’s impact on Storytelling & Journalism.’

Lenovo will be hosting an important keynote address, Magic Leap will be providing a ‘Getting Started Guide’ for developers; Microsoft will be holding a session called ‘Modeling Reality: How do we build a map and a stateful model of reality?’, and Blippar’s Ambarish Mitra is discussing ‘How AR and 5G will make 3D Internet a reality,’ to name a few.

“The European market for spatial computing is quietly becoming a contender for the world’s top spot driven largely by industry adoption on the one hand, and creative tools and applications on the other hand. The calibre of speakers embodying this will once again position AWE as the epicentre of the AR and VR industry,” says Ori in a statement.

AWE USA 2019
Image credit: AWE USA 2019

Alongside all the talks AWE EU 2019 will also have its usual expo show floor featuring over 100 exhibitors demoing the latest XR technology. Exhibitors include Admix, Lenovo, ViewAR, Atheer, AVRSpot, Bosch Automotive Service Solutions, Crunchfish, Delta Reality and many more.

AWE EU 2019 takes place from 17th – 18th October 2019. Early Bird tickets are now available starting from €179.00 EUR (normally €249.00) for a Two Day Expo Only Pass, while a Two Day All Access Pass €695.00 (normally €895.00). For all you lucky readers of VRFocus wishing to attend AWE EU 2019, use the code: EUVRFOCUS20 which provides 20% off any all-access ticket to the event, on top of current Early Bird prices.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of AWE EU 2019, reporting back with further announcements and updates.