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AUGMENTED WORLD EXPO ANNOUNCES 2026 AUGGIE AWARD WINNERS, BEST IN SHOW AND XR HALL OF FAME LEGENDS

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AWE Celebrates Innovation and Legacy in a Landmark Year for the XR Industry

LONG BEACH, Calif., June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Augmented World Expo USA 2026, the longest-running and largest event dedicated to Augmented Reality, Extended Reality, Virtual Reality, robotics and AI, today revealed this year’s award winners across every category, honoring both the industry’s newest breakthroughs and the pioneers who built the field.

This year, 20 of the world’s most innovative and game-changing developers, brands and creators were honored with Auggie Awards, while 8 pioneers of XR were inducted into the 2026 XR Hall of Fame.

2026 XR Hall of Fame
Eight pioneers of XR were celebrated by the 2026 XR Hall of Fame, recognizing their lasting contributions to the field. The full list of inductees can be viewed here.

From the Show Floor
AWE USA 2026 was packed with exciting news from exhibitors including Google, Samsung, Qualcomm, and more. See highlights of announcements from the show here.

Auggie Awards
Since 2010, the Auggie Awards have stood as the most recognized XR and spatial computing awards in the world. Now in their 17th year, the Auggies continue to showcase the very best the industry has to offer. This year’s winners are:

Best Art or Film – D-Day: The Camera Soldier by TARGO: An interactive documentary following a D-Day combat cameraman through his daughter’s journey to piece together his hidden legacy; a 20-minute experience with TIME Studios, exclusively on Apple Vision Pro. Video here.

Best Campaign – Toyota – FanPort by Draw & Code: A 12m mixed reality installation launching the Toyota Urban Cruiser in Italy, moving ‘holographic’ content between a projected display and Magic Leap 2 glasses for a shared multisensory experience. Video here.

Best Consumer App – Google Maps XR: Immersive View for Android XR fuses 2D mapping with photorealistic 3D data, letting users explore the world and step inside locations via hand and gaze input. Video here.

Best Content Creation Tool – MetaNeural Immersive Simulation Platform: An AI-powered tool that lets experts generate complex, nonlinear simulation scenarios in natural language—no coding—for high-risk training in energy, defense, and manufacturing. Video here.

Best Content Creator(s) – Gabriele Romagnoli: Recognized for educational XR content on LinkedIn and his XR/AI Spotlight Podcast, showcasing cutting-edge work from avatars to Gaussian Splats. Video here.

Best Developer Tool – MultiSet AI: A scan-agnostic visual positioning system delivering centimeter-accurate 6-DoF localization and object tracking across multi-floor indoor and outdoor environments, deployable on cloud or device. Video here.

Best Education & Training Solution – NICS Korea: Chemical Incident & Terror Response in XR by National Institute of Chemical Safety: A nationwide XR training system with fixed VR centers, mobile units, and 80+ scenarios for chemical emergency response and multi-agency collaboration. Video here.

Best Enterprise Solution – FabStation by Eterio Realities Inc.: An AR execution layer for structural steel fabrication that overlays 3D models onto workpieces, capturing data at 1.5mm accuracy—230+ customers across 30+ countries, with a 75% reduction in errors. Video here.

Best Game or Toy – Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow by Vertigo Games: The legendary Thief franchise reimagined for VR, returning players to The City to master stealth and uncover an artifact holding a legacy from the past. Video here.

Best Headworn Device – Spectacles by Specs Inc.: Fifth-generation standalone see-through AR glasses with a 46-degree field of view, 13ms motion-to-photon latency, and on-device multimodal AI, powered by Snap OS. Video here.

Best Healthcare & Wellness Solution – ARVIS by Enovis: A wearable AR headset for orthopedic surgical navigation that replaces bulky robotics, delivering precise intraoperative guidance via an intuitive 3D display with hands-free voice and gaze control. Video here.

Best Indie Creator(s) – Year of the Cicadas: A VR experience about a mother’s life after losing her six-year-old son, spanning a seventeen-year timeline anchored by the Brood X cicadas and driven by ambisonic and spatial audio. Video here.

Best Interaction Product – Be There Without Being There: Humanoid Robot Immersive Telepresence by Carolina Cruz-Neira & Judah Rowe: Immersive teleoperation lets users inhabit a humanoid robot in real time with full-body motion mapping, while it streams a live digital twin of its surroundings. Video here.

Best Location-Based Entertainment – Interstellar Arc by Felix & Paul Studios: The largest contiguous high-fidelity wireless VR environment ever created, spanning 20,000+ square feet and transporting hundreds of synchronized participants aboard an interstellar spaceship. Video here.

Best Reality Capture – Cintoo VR Experience: An Unreal Engine-based platform streaming reality capture data at high fidelity, with multi-mesh streaming that lets industrial teams explore massive scan and BIM datasets at 1:1 and doll-house scale. Video here.

Best Societal Impact – Cooper’s Clean Air Quest: Making Invisible Pollution Visible by YORD: A family-friendly VR and web experience with the City of Cupertino that makes invisible air pollution tangible, guided by Cooper the robot, now traveling across schools and festivals. Video here.

Best Use of AI – XR Vibe Coding with XR Blocks and Gemini by Google: A toolkit built with Android XR that turns Gemini’s 3D web creations into immersive extended-reality experiences, letting anyone translate ideas into 3D and share them via a web URL. Video here.

Most Ethical Product – SecureMR by PICO/ByteDance: A ‘Privacy Vault’ architecture that lets developers build mixed reality with scene perception while locking away the camera feed, using a ‘Zero-Trust’ sandbox to protect users’ homes. Video here.

Startup to Watch – PROLO by CG Technologies

Art Festival Winner – Reality Looks Back by Superposition XR Studio

MEDIA CONTACT: alyssa@lightspeedpr.com

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SOURCE AWE (Augmented World Expo)

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Wego and Spain Tourist Office (Turespaña) Partner to Inspire MENA Travelers to Discover Spain’s Summer Lifestyle and Cultural Richness

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DUBAI, UAE, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ –Wego, the number 1 travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has announced a strategic partnership with Turespaña, Spain’s official tourism office, to showcase the country’s diverse summer experiences and inspire travelers across the MENA region to discover Spain’s unique blend of culture, gastronomy, coastal escapes, and vibrant lifestyle offerings.

The collaboration aims to position Spain as a leading summer destination for regional travelers seeking enriching experiences that combine relaxation, cultural immersion, world-class cuisine, and memorable moments. Through targeted campaigns and engaging destination storytelling, Wego and Turespaña will highlight the many ways travelers can experience Spain, from iconic cities and Mediterranean coastlines to island retreats and authentic local communities.

Spain offers an extraordinary variety of experiences throughout the summer season. Travelers can admire Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces and enjoy Barcelona’s dynamic beachfront lifestyle, explore Madrid’s renowned museums, culinary scene, and rooftop culture, or immerse themselves in the traditions and flamenco heritage of Seville. Beyond its cities, Spain invites visitors to unwind along the sun-soaked shores of Málaga and Valencia, discover the natural beauty of Mallorca, or experience the distinctive energy and luxury of Ibiza.

The campaign will also spotlight Spain’s rich culinary heritage, vibrant summer festivals, charming coastal towns, and lesser-known regions where travelers can connect with local traditions, explore nature, and enjoy authentic Mediterranean experiences away from the crowds.

Commenting on the partnership, Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego, said: “Spain continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for MENA travelers, offering an exceptional combination of culture, leisure, gastronomy, and natural beauty. Through our partnership with Turespaña, we aim to inspire travelers to explore the many dimensions of Spain and discover experiences that resonate with their individual travel interests, whether they are seeking vibrant city breaks, coastal escapes, culinary journeys, or cultural exploration.”

As demand continues to grow for destinations that offer meaningful experiences alongside world-class tourism infrastructure, Spain remains well-positioned to attract travelers from across the region. Its excellent connectivity, diverse tourism offerings, and welcoming atmosphere make it an ideal destination for summer travel.

Carlos Ruiz González, Director of Spain’s Tourist Office (Turespaña) for the GCC, said: “Spain offers travelers an incredible diversity of experiences, from cultural landmarks and culinary traditions to beautiful coastlines and authentic local communities. Through our collaboration with Wego, we look forward to inspiring more travelers from the Middle East, in line with the claim of our latest marketing campaign “Think you know Spain? Think again” to discover the richness of Spain and experience firsthand what makes our destination so unique throughout the summer season.”

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to promoting sustainable tourism growth and strengthening Spain’s visibility among travelers across the MENA region. Through curated content, destination recommendations, and inspiring travel experiences, Wego and Turespaña will make it easier than ever for travelers to explore, plan, and experience the best of Spain this summer.

About Wego

Wego is the number one travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Combining a dynamic travel marketplace with on-platform bookings, Wego enables travelers to easily search, compare, and book flights and hotels across hundreds of airlines, hotels, and online travel agencies. Beyond its B2C marketplace, Wego also operates WegoPro, a next-generation business travel platform, and WegoBeds, a MENA-focused bedbank. The company is backed by Tiger Global, Ares Management, Square Peg Capital, MBC Group, and Arqaam Capital, and is dual headquartered in Singapore and Dubai with offices in Bangalore and Mumbai.

For more information, visit www.wego.com

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SOURCE Wego

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Wego and Spain Tourist Office (Turespaña) Partner to Inspire MENA Travelers to Discover Spain’s Summer Lifestyle and Cultural Richness

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DUBAI, UAE, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ –Wego, the number 1 travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has announced a strategic partnership with Turespaña, Spain’s official tourism office, to showcase the country’s diverse summer experiences and inspire travelers across the MENA region to discover Spain’s unique blend of culture, gastronomy, coastal escapes, and vibrant lifestyle offerings.

The collaboration aims to position Spain as a leading summer destination for regional travelers seeking enriching experiences that combine relaxation, cultural immersion, world-class cuisine, and memorable moments. Through targeted campaigns and engaging destination storytelling, Wego and Turespaña will highlight the many ways travelers can experience Spain, from iconic cities and Mediterranean coastlines to island retreats and authentic local communities.

Spain offers an extraordinary variety of experiences throughout the summer season. Travelers can admire Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces and enjoy Barcelona’s dynamic beachfront lifestyle, explore Madrid’s renowned museums, culinary scene, and rooftop culture, or immerse themselves in the traditions and flamenco heritage of Seville. Beyond its cities, Spain invites visitors to unwind along the sun-soaked shores of Málaga and Valencia, discover the natural beauty of Mallorca, or experience the distinctive energy and luxury of Ibiza.

The campaign will also spotlight Spain’s rich culinary heritage, vibrant summer festivals, charming coastal towns, and lesser-known regions where travelers can connect with local traditions, explore nature, and enjoy authentic Mediterranean experiences away from the crowds.

Commenting on the partnership, Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego, said: “Spain continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for MENA travelers, offering an exceptional combination of culture, leisure, gastronomy, and natural beauty. Through our partnership with Turespaña, we aim to inspire travelers to explore the many dimensions of Spain and discover experiences that resonate with their individual travel interests, whether they are seeking vibrant city breaks, coastal escapes, culinary journeys, or cultural exploration.”

As demand continues to grow for destinations that offer meaningful experiences alongside world-class tourism infrastructure, Spain remains well-positioned to attract travelers from across the region. Its excellent connectivity, diverse tourism offerings, and welcoming atmosphere make it an ideal destination for summer travel.

Carlos Ruiz González, Director of Spain’s Tourist Office (Turespaña) for the GCC, said: “Spain offers travelers an incredible diversity of experiences, from cultural landmarks and culinary traditions to beautiful coastlines and authentic local communities. Through our collaboration with Wego, we look forward to inspiring more travelers from the Middle East, in line with the claim of our latest marketing campaign “Think you know Spain? Think again” to discover the richness of Spain and experience firsthand what makes our destination so unique throughout the summer season.”

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to promoting sustainable tourism growth and strengthening Spain’s visibility among travelers across the MENA region. Through curated content, destination recommendations, and inspiring travel experiences, Wego and Turespaña will make it easier than ever for travelers to explore, plan, and experience the best of Spain this summer.

About Wego

Wego is the number one travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Combining a dynamic travel marketplace with on-platform bookings, Wego enables travelers to easily search, compare, and book flights and hotels across hundreds of airlines, hotels, and online travel agencies. Beyond its B2C marketplace, Wego also operates WegoPro, a next-generation business travel platform, and WegoBeds, a MENA-focused bedbank. The company is backed by Tiger Global, Ares Management, Square Peg Capital, MBC Group, and Arqaam Capital, and is dual headquartered in Singapore and Dubai with offices in Bangalore and Mumbai.

For more information, visit www.wego.com

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Distributed Energy Generation Market to Reach USD 884.8 Billion by 2033, Driven by Renewable Energy Adoption, Grid Modernization, and Decentralized Power Infrastructure

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Global market projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2026 to 2033 as governments, utilities, and enterprises accelerate investments in resilient and low-carbon energy systems.

SAN FRANCISCO, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The global distributed energy generation market is entering a new phase of expansion as countries worldwide intensify efforts to modernize power infrastructure, strengthen grid resilience, and accelerate the transition toward cleaner energy systems. According to a recent industry analysis by Grand View Research, the global distributed energy generation market was valued at USD 538.2 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow from USD 572.1 billion in 2026 to USD 884.8 billion by 2033, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% during the forecast period.

Distributed energy generation (DEG) refers to decentralized power production technologies located near the point of consumption, including solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, fuel cells, combined heat and power systems, microturbines, and other localized energy assets. These systems are transforming how electricity is generated, distributed, and consumed by reducing dependence on centralized power plants and improving energy reliability.

As energy security becomes a strategic priority for governments and businesses alike, distributed generation technologies are emerging as critical components of next-generation energy infrastructure. Rising electricity demand, increasing renewable energy deployment, and growing concerns regarding grid resilience are creating favorable conditions for sustained market growth.

Industry analysts note that the shift toward decentralized power systems is being reinforced by supportive government policies, advancements in energy storage technologies, and growing investments in smart grid infrastructure. Organizations across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors are increasingly adopting distributed generation solutions to reduce operating costs, improve sustainability performance, and ensure uninterrupted access to electricity.

Solar Photovoltaic Technology Maintains Market Leadership

Among all technology segments, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems continue to dominate the global distributed energy generation landscape. The solar PV segment accounted for 61.3% of total market revenue in 2025, making it the largest technology category within the industry.

Several factors are contributing to solar PV’s strong position, including declining module prices, expanding rooftop solar installations, favorable regulatory incentives, and increasing integration with battery storage systems. Solar photovoltaic technology is also projected to be the fastest-growing technology segment through 2033, with an anticipated CAGR of 8.3%.

The growing availability of high-efficiency panels, smart inverters, and digital energy management platforms is further enhancing the economic viability of distributed solar projects. Commercial facilities, manufacturing plants, educational institutions, healthcare centers, and residential consumers are increasingly investing in onsite solar generation to reduce electricity costs and achieve sustainability objectives.

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Asia Pacific Emerges as the Largest Regional Market

Geographically, Asia Pacific remains the largest market for distributed energy generation, accounting for 34.9% of global revenue in 2025. Rapid urbanization, industrial development, population growth, and government-backed renewable energy initiatives continue to drive adoption throughout the region.

Countries across Asia Pacific are actively expanding rooftop solar programs, distributed wind projects, hybrid microgrids, and battery storage installations. The region’s extensive manufacturing ecosystem for solar panels, inverters, and energy storage technologies has also contributed to lower deployment costs and broader market accessibility.

China continues to play a particularly significant role in regional growth. Large-scale distributed solar deployment initiatives, strong domestic manufacturing capabilities, and long-term renewable energy targets have positioned the country as a key contributor to global market expansion.

Latin America Poised for Accelerated Growth

While Asia Pacific currently leads the market, Latin America is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing regional market during the forecast period. The region is projected to achieve a CAGR of 14.5% through 2033, supported by expanding electricity demand, favorable distributed solar policies, and increasing investments in decentralized energy infrastructure.

Countries throughout Latin America are implementing net metering programs and distributed generation incentives designed to improve energy accessibility while reducing pressure on centralized transmission networks. As solar installation costs continue to decline, both residential and commercial adoption rates are expected to accelerate significantly.

Grid Modernization and Energy Storage Reshape Industry Dynamics

A major trend influencing market development is the integration of distributed energy resources with advanced digital technologies. Utilities and energy providers are increasingly deploying smart grid systems, microgrids, energy management platforms, and virtual power plant models to optimize energy production and consumption.

Energy storage technologies are also playing a pivotal role in enabling greater penetration of distributed renewable generation. Advances in lithium-ion battery systems and intelligent storage management solutions are helping address intermittency challenges associated with renewable energy resources.

The combination of distributed generation and energy storage is creating new opportunities for consumers and businesses to become active participants in energy markets while enhancing overall grid stability.

Corporate Sustainability Goals Drive Commercial Adoption

Beyond policy support and technological innovation, growing corporate sustainability commitments are becoming a major catalyst for market expansion. Businesses across multiple industries are adopting distributed generation solutions to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy resilience, and meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.

Data centers, manufacturing facilities, healthcare institutions, and commercial campuses are increasingly investing in onsite renewable generation and storage systems to mitigate energy risks and improve operational efficiency. This trend is expected to remain a key growth driver throughout the forecast period.

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Competitive Landscape

The distributed energy generation market is characterized by active innovation and strategic investment from leading global energy and technology companies. Market participants are focusing on expanding renewable energy portfolios, strengthening energy storage capabilities, and developing intelligent grid management solutions.

Key companies operating within the market include Tesla, Siemens AG, Schneider Electric SE, General Electric, ABB Ltd., Enel Green Power, SMA Solar Technology AG, Bloom Energy Corporation, NextEra Energy, Inc., and Honeywell International Inc.

These organizations continue to invest in advanced distributed energy technologies, digital monitoring platforms, microgrids, and virtual power plant capabilities to address evolving customer requirements and support the global transition toward decentralized energy systems.

Looking Ahead

As nations pursue ambitious decarbonization targets and energy resilience strategies, distributed energy generation is expected to become an increasingly important pillar of the global energy ecosystem. Continued advancements in renewable technologies, battery storage systems, and digital energy management platforms are likely to accelerate adoption across all major regions.

With market value projected to reach USD 884.8 billion by 2033, distributed energy generation is positioned to play a critical role in enabling a more sustainable, reliable, and flexible energy future.

To learn more about growth opportunities in the Distributed Energy Generation Market, access the full report from Grand View Research

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Browse Investment Insights by Grand View Research – a dedicated, scalable fundamental research platform designed to function as a seamless extension of investment teams across the buy-side and sell-side ecosystem.

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SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc

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