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SparkBlocks Wins Editor’s Choice Blue Ribbon at Maker Faire Bay Area 2026

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Canadian LEGO®-compatible electronics system earns recognition at its first Maker Faire appearance

Key Facts

– Award: Editor’s Choice Blue Ribbon, Maker Faire Bay Area 2026
– Event: September 25–27 at Mare Island in Vallejo, California
– Product: SparkBlocks, a LEGO®-compatible electronics building system
– Company: Block and Code Electronics Inc., West Vancouver, British Columbia

WEST VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SparkBlocks, the hands-on electronics building system developed by Block and Code Electronics Inc., has won an Editor’s Choice Blue Ribbon at Maker Faire Bay Area 2026. The recognition came during the Canadian company’s first appearance at the event, held September 25–27 at Mare Island in Vallejo, California.

SparkBlocks turns real electronic components into LEGO®-compatible building blocks. Children can add lights, motors, switches, sound and sensors to their construction-brick creations, building working circuits while exploring how electronics behave.

At Maker Faire, SparkBlocks invited children and families to build and experiment at its hands-on exhibit, connecting electronics with the creativity of familiar building bricks.

“Receiving an Editor’s Choice Blue Ribbon at our first Maker Faire is particularly meaningful because this is a community built around making things and understanding how they work,” said Mark Vaughan, CEO, inventor and co-founder of SparkBlocks. “We wanted children to be able to build a circuit, see what it does and change it themselves. SparkBlocks makes electronics something they can explore with their own hands.”

Designed for home and classroom use, SparkBlocks combines open-ended invention with structured STEM learning. Children can begin with a simple circuit, then investigate how components interact as they add light, movement and control to increasingly complex builds.

The company is expanding its education offering through classroom kits and curriculum that progress from foundational electricity and electronics toward measurement, sensors, engineering, robotics and coding.

“Parents and educators can build on an interest children already have,” said Holden Bonwit, co-founder of SparkBlocks. “The bricks provide a familiar starting point. Adding real electronics gives those builds new possibilities and gives children a reason to keep experimenting.”

The Maker Faire award follows SparkBlocks’ selection as a finalist in the 2026 GESS Education Awards for Best Product to Promote STEM / Robotics / Coding.

About SparkBlocks

SparkBlocks is a hands-on electronics building system from Block and Code Electronics Inc., based in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Its LEGO®-compatible electronic blocks combine creative construction with real circuit building for home and classroom learning.

Learn more at sparkblocks.ca.

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse SparkBlocks.

Media Contact:
Mark Vaughan
SparkBlocks / Block and Code Electronics Inc.
424859@email4pr.com
(604) 818-9500
sparkblocks.ca

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Saab presents first GlobalEye for Sweden

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STOCKHOLM, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Saab has presented the first GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft ordered by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the Swedish Air Force.

With GlobalEye, Sweden will gain a highly advanced airborne early warning and control capability, providing the information advantage needed to support timely decision-making and effective operations. The system delivers long-range surveillance and a comprehensive operational picture across the air, land and maritime domains, strengthening Sweden’s defence capability and enhancing national security.

“The presentation of Sweden’s first GlobalEye marks an important milestone for both Saab and the Swedish Armed Forces. As the programme progresses towards delivery, GlobalEye will provide Sweden with a powerful capability for airborne surveillance and situational awareness,” says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

The aircraft will now enter a phase of testing and verification ahead of its first flight and subsequent delivery to the customer.

Sweden has ordered three GlobalEye aircraft from Saab. The first two aircraft were contracted by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in 2022, with an option for additional aircraft, and a third GlobalEye was ordered in 2024. 

GlobalEye is an advanced multi-domain AEW&C solution with an array of active and passive sensors that provide long-range detection and identification of objects in the air, at sea and over land. By providing real-time information to units in air forces, armies and navies, GlobalEye enables enhanced understanding of the operational environment and early detection of threats.  

Contact

Saab Press Centre
+46 (0)734 180 018
presscentre@saabgroup.com 

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 29,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations. 

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Rokid Opens the World’s First Self-Service AI Glasses Experience Store at Hong Kong’s Harbour City

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HONG KONG, Oct. 15, 2026 /CNW/ — Rokid, a global pioneer in AI-powered smart eyewear and human-computer interaction, today announced the opening of a new flagship store at Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. As the world’s first unmanned AI glasses experience store, it combines self-directed product demos with automated checkout to let visitors freely experience and purchase Rokid’s AI glasses at their leisure.

“Through our experience store at Harbour City, Rokid aims to reach both Hong Kong shoppers and visitors from around the world,” said Zoro Shao, Vice President and Global General Manager of Rokid, “Hong Kong’s identity as an international business hub also provides a new launch point for the company’s expansion across Asia-Pacific and other global markets. Along with expanding online product availability, we are seeking new ways to offer hands-on experiences to consumers.”

An immersive and relaxing way to experience Rokid Glasses for global shoppers

The store features eight experience zones to provide tactile hands-on product demos. Visitors can wear the Rokid Glasses and see how its real-time translation, AI answers, navigation, media capture, visual search, and other AI-powered features appear on the waveguide display in the lens. The entire experience, from testing to purchasing, is entirely self-service, which offers a leisurely and fast shopping experience.

Celebration events and prizes

To celebrate the opening, the first 500 customers who purchase Rokid Glasses at the store will receive a complimentary Rokid Joy Pack entertainment bundle (valued at HK$4,688) along with a limited-edition Rokid souvenir. The Rokid Joy Pack combines Rokid Max AR glasses with Rokid Station, a portable entertainment device with built-in Android TV for streaming content and games.

Through Oct. 31, 2026, customers who purchase Rokid Glasses through participating Hong Kong sales channels can also receive a complimentary Rokid Joy Pack and a limited-edition souvenir, while supplies last. Other event prizes include tote bag, Rokid Glasses carrying pouch, and Bluetooth keycap accessory.

Participating channels include Rokid’s official Hong Kong website, Broadway, csl, Fortress, Mobo+, Nobletime, Optical 88, SOGO, and Wilson Communications.

Another chapter in Rokid’s global success

The new store opening in a central international hub inks another chapter in the company’s milestones list. In September, Counterpoint Research ranked Rokid No. 1 worldwide in the AR and AI Glasses segment by shipment share in H1 2026. In the same month, Rokid strengthened its offerings globally by launching its AIUI Studio Development Environment worldwide, greatly accelerating the variety and speed at which spatial smart glasses experiences can be made.

Store location

Shop 323A, Level 3, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

About Rokid

Founded in 2014, Rokid is a global pioneer in augmented reality (AR) and AI, creating human-centered smart glasses that integrate intelligence seamlessly into everyday life. The company has introduced a range of innovations across AI and AR hardware, including the first open AI ecosystem for wearables, dual-chip architecture, multilingual voice interaction, intuitive AI shortcuts, and mass-produced smart glasses with display capabilities.

Learn more at global.rokid.com

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SOURCE Rokid

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Sandbox VR to Open First New York City Location in Times Square, Marking 100th Location Milestone

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Opening October 23, the 10,324-square-foot Manhattan venue will feature six private VR rooms, two party rooms, and a bar

NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sandbox VR, the world’s premier destination for location-based virtual reality experiences, will open its first New York City location on October 23 at 777 7th Avenue in Times Square. The 10,324-square-foot Manhattan venue marks the company’s 100th location milestone and places Sandbox VR within walking distance of Broadway’s Theatre District, Rockefeller Center, and Radio City Music Hall. Guests who book by October 22 can save 20% on all tickets at sandboxvr.com/new-york/times-square.

The Times Square venue will include six private VR rooms where groups of up to six guests suit up with headsets, haptic vests, and motion sensors for full-body immersion. Players can see and physically interact with one another inside the virtual world, creating a shared experience built for friends, families, and co-workers. The venue will also include two party rooms and a bar, expanding the options for birthdays, celebrations, and corporate events. After each experience, guests receive personalized highlight videos to relive and share their adventures.

“Reaching our 100th location as we prepare to open in Times Square shows how far Sandbox VR has come and where we want to go next,” said Steve Zhao, founder and CEO of Sandbox VR. “Introducing our experience to New York City for the first time is a major moment for us, and we’re fortunate to have Jason, Carolyne, and their team help make this opening possible.”

“Times Square is where the world comes together, so it is the perfect home for the most social VR experience in the world. We welcome families, friends, and teams who want to step out of everyday life and into an adventure together. October 23 can’t come soon enough. And this is just the beginning; we plan to open more locations across New York City,” said Carolyne Chan, co-owner of JLG Ventures.

Guests can choose from 12 exclusive full-body VR experiences, led by the newly released Deadwood Origins, the fourth installment in Sandbox VR’s fan-favorite Deadwood zombie series. The first three Deadwood titles have sold more than 2.66 million tickets and generated more than $140 million in sales. The lineup also includes Stranger Things: Catalyst and Squid Game Virtuals, developed in collaboration with Netflix; the family-friendly Age of Dinosaurs, created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, London; and Sandbox VR originals such as Seekers of the Shard: Dragonfire. No previous gaming or virtual reality experience is required.

The Times Square venue marks Sandbox VR’s 100th location milestone as the company continues its global expansion. The company welcomes more than 150,000 guests each month and has sold more than 6 million tickets worldwide. Its proprietary full-body platform combines motion tracking, haptic feedback, and content developed by an in-house studio to turn a group outing into a shared adventure.

Advance tickets plus location details are available at sandboxvr.com/new-york/times-square.

ABOUT SANDBOX VR
Sandbox VR is the world’s premier destination for location-based virtual reality experiences. Operating across 100 venues around the globe through a robust franchise and corporate-owned model, Sandbox VR attracts over 150,000 guests each month. Sandbox VR provides guests the opportunity to step out of everyday reality into unforgettable adventures through exhilarating, group-play immersive experiences. Using a proprietary full-body VR platform, the company develops original and licensed content, including exclusive experiences like Stranger Things: Catalyst and Squid Game Virtuals in collaboration with Netflix, and the Sandbox VR original Deadwood series. With over 6 million tickets sold worldwide, Sandbox VR has become the leader in immersive entertainment, combining premium technology with emotionally engaging storytelling. Recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies and a two-time honoree on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies, Sandbox VR is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Hong Kong and Vancouver. The company has raised over $70 million from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners and Craft, with individual backers including Justin Timberlake, Kevin Durant and Will Smith.

ABOUT JLG VENTURES: JLG Ventures invests in, operates, and partners with high-potential hospitality and entertainment brands. Its portfolio includes Sandbox VR’s Times Square flagship, Raku, Double Chicken Please, Patisserie Fouet, and Unnecessary, a growing collection of category-defining concepts shaping New York’s hospitality and entertainment landscape. Learn more at jlg.ventures.

Media Contact: media@jlg.ventures

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SOURCE Sandbox VR

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