AWE: Introducing the Augmented World Expo

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For the last few years, we at I-Connect007 have increased our coverage of the technology and end-product development trends that drive growth and advancement in the PCB fab and EMS industries. Obviously, the largest and most diverse event regarding the depth and breadth of technological progress and advancement is CES, which lets us get updates and allows us to focus on anything from drones to 3D additive PCB fabrication, from autonomous transportation and the degree of electronics in the newer and upcoming vehicles to the quantum computers and AI of the near future, from the forecasts found in science fiction of the ‘60s and ‘70s to the reality of 21st century technology.

As our increased coverage has gotten the attention of some of the major tech companies involved in these segments, our access to them and relationship with them has grown. Recently, it was suggested to us that we begin coverage of some of the more focused events regarding the trending and possible mega-trending of key electronic industry segments.

A few months ago, Flex—one of the most respected companies in the design and manufacturing of systems for augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality, as well as other segments—asked if we would be at the upcoming AWE show and if so, would we be interested in attending their event where they would review their latest developments in this field. After very little discussion and no hesitation, our decision was yes. If we are going to keep our readers up to date on the latest trends and opportunities, we must not only stay up to date on the developments and therefore the future of these industry segments, we also have to do it through the events that focus on these upcoming megatrends.

While we will continue to cover the ever-broadening spectrum that is the technology design and manufacturing industry, we will also cover events that focus on the most promising, interesting and fastest growing tech segments such as CES—and the AWE event was a great place to start to expand this coverage.

Augmented World Expo (AWE USA) is perhaps the largest event for professionals focused on providing (and doing it now) the science-fiction-like superpowers through augmented, virtual, mixed reality and associated wearable technology.

As we have increased our coverage of this growing trend (see my previous articles here, here, and here) the definition has evolved. Yes, there are still some purely virtual reality segments such as 3D movies and holographic displays, and there are augmented and mixed reality segments such as virtual tours and design applications, but the most promising areas with the greatest potential encompass a mix of them all. Therefore, I am embracing the recent trend. I will no longer refer these segments as AR, VR, MR, etc., as there is so much overlap; the new term to include it all is XR.

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