The influence of user technology on consumer decisions is apparent, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This research aims to analyze how virtual reality affects user experience, leading to changes in emotional attitudes and behavioral intentions. Within the scope of the Digital Dunhuang project in China, a comprehensive analysis was carried out using 466 reliable user data and structural equation modeling approaches. The findings of the investigation revealed that the influence of virtual reality on user experience manifests in the quality aspects of products, including pragmatic, aesthetic, and hedonic. Furthermore, these product qualities are capable of enhancing the development of perceived usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment. Simultaneously, perceived usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment can boost user satisfaction and intention to repurchase. Moreover, the study also revealed that user satisfaction effectively drives repurchase intention.

Immersive technologies like Augmented Reality (AR), virtual reality, Artificial Intelligence are also entering the cosmetic industry and changing the retail shopping experience. Skincare and Cosmetic brands are increasingly adopting AR-based virtual try-on applications, AI-powered beauty filters, and interactive 3D visualization tools to improve customer engagement and influence consumer decision-making. This study attempts to explore the influence of the use of immersive technology especially AR on the purchase intention of the consumers in the cosmetic industry through qualitative analysis of the focus groups discussion held in Delhi. The study investigates consumer awareness, experience, motivation, emotional responses, and behavioral intentions in AR-based cosmetic shopping.

This year’s theme, “Unlock Your Mind,” spotlights organizations using neurotechnology to enable more independent, empowered lives. Cognixion was selected alongside a group of other innovators advancing ethical, human-centered solutions at the intersection of brain science and real-world impact.Cognixion’s work focuses on restoring communication and autonomy for people with speech and mobility impairments through wearable brain-computer interface technology—enabling thought-driven interaction, self-expression, and connection.

The vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC) constitutes a core bottleneck limiting the immersion and comfort of near-eye displays. Although spatially multiplexed dual focal plane display technology offers a viable path to mitigate VAC, its development is constrained by image quality mismatch between the two focal planes caused by differences in virtual image distance, as well as harmful system parallax generated during binocular extension. This paper proposes an innovative co-design optimization framework for imaging consistency to systematically address these challenges. 

Airy3D has announced the integration of its DepthIQ SDK with MediaTek's Genio Series processors, enhancing 3D depth sensing capabilities for embedded applications. This collaboration enables developers to leverage advanced depth perception technology on MediaTek's powerful computing platform, facilitating improved computer vision and spatial awareness features. The integration streamlines development workflows by combining Airy3D's sophisticated depth-sensing software with MediaTek's robust processing hardware. This partnership positions both companies to address growing market demand for intelligent edge devices requiring precise depth measurement and 3D perception. The solution finds applications across metrology, quality control, robotics, and autonomous systems where accurate spatial data is critical for operational performance.

Portable EEG technology from mBrainTrain enables diverse scientific applications across neuroscience research domains. The platform supports reactive brain-computer interface studies that decode neural responses to external stimuli, alongside investigations into biophilic design effects on brain activity and group neural synchronization during collaborative tasks. Recent research utilizing this technology examines twin brain synchrony patterns, dyslexia-related reading mechanisms, and early infant-mother communication synchronization. These applications demonstrate the versatility of portable EEG systems in capturing complex neurological phenomena, from individual cognitive processing to interpersonal neural dynamics, advancing understanding of brain function across developmental and behavioral contexts.

Wearable Devices and Meta-Bounds are collaborating to demonstrate neural-controlled augmented reality technology, showcasing the advancing intersection of neural interfaces and spatial computing. This partnership leverages Wearable Devices' AI-powered touchless sensing wearables alongside Meta-Bounds' lightweight AR glasses to create innovative enterprise solutions. The demonstration at AWE 2026 represents a significant milestone in redefining user interaction within augmented reality environments. This collaboration exemplifies the industry's broader momentum toward neural interfaces and could establish new standards for enterprise AR applications, with substantial implications for the future of human-computer interaction and wearable technology markets.

Augmented reality has evolved from experimental technology to a transformative force in retail, fundamentally reshaping customer experience and business outcomes. As consumers increasingly demand tech-driven, immersive shopping experiences, retailers are leveraging AR to seamlessly bridge physical and digital environments, driving measurable impacts including elevated conversion rates, reduced return costs, and extended customer engagement. Beyond consumer-facing applications, AR generates valuable real-time data on product interactions, enabling retailers to optimize inventory management, store design, and personalized marketing strategies. Leading brands including Amazon, Sephora, Nike, L'Oréal, and IKEA demonstrate AR's versatility—from virtual try-ons in beauty to precise sizing recommendations and spatial furniture visualization—each addressing specific customer pain points while simultaneously streamlining operations and strengthening brand loyalty through data-driven insights.

Digital twin technology is transforming modern manufacturing by providing real-time visibility into complex, high-mix production environments. As manufacturers face increasing demands for product variants, faster delivery, and superior quality while managing fluctuating schedules and shared resources, traditional linear production models prove inadequate. SmartSpace® from Ubisense addresses this challenge by combining real-time location data with digital process models to create spatially aware operational representations. This intelligent solution enables seamless coordination of people, tools, and assets across production lines, allowing manufacturers to adapt quickly to changing demands. Particularly valuable in automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors, digital twins eliminate manual coordination bottlenecks, reduce errors, and ensure optimal resource allocation in high-mix assembly environments.

This study presents a novel soft hydro-pneumatic haptic ring designed to generate multimodal tactile sensations for extended reality applications. The device integrates pneumatic and hydraulic actuation to render roughness, thermal, and softness cues on the finger ring, capable of producing forces up to 1.75 N and temperature modulations up to 25°C. A data-driven rendering methodology adapts tactile feedback based on user exploratory actions, with hydraulic actuation conveying temperature during static contact and pneumatic actuation generating pressure and vibration cues during dynamic gestures. Evaluation with 15 participants demonstrated 68% texture-matching precision, confirming the ring's ability to deliver distinct, perceptually rich multimodal stimuli while enabling natural bare-finger interaction with digital environments.

Virtual Try-On technology represents a transformative solution to a fundamental challenge in e-commerce: consumer hesitation stemming from the inability to physically experience products before purchase. With 57% of consumers desiring tactile interaction before buying, VTO addresses critical pain points including checkout abandonment and costly returns. By enabling customers to visualize products on themselves or within their environments through smartphone technology, VTO significantly reduces pre-purchase uncertainty and supports high-value item sales. As return costs exceed $740 billion globally, this innovation delivers measurable business impact while creating seamless omnichannel experiences that bridge physical and digital retail environments. Leading brands increasingly recognize VTO as a strategic priority to enhance customer satisfaction and optimize e-commerce performance.

Wearable Devices has announced a strategic partnership with Meta-Bounds to integrate its Mudra neural wristband technology with Meta-Bounds' augmented reality glasses. The collaboration will be showcased at the Augmented World Expo 2026 in Long Beach, presenting an AI-driven, touchless spatial interaction solution. The initiative encompasses near-term development of wristband controls for AR applications and a comprehensive long-term business-to-business commercial strategy. Mudra is positioned as a premium accessory and potential value-added component within Meta-Bounds' enterprise-grade AR product ecosystem, representing a significant advancement in neural interface technology for the augmented reality sector.

GE HealthCare and Medtronic have announced a commercial integration combining the bkActiv intraoperative ultrasound system with the Medtronic Stealth AXiS surgical navigation platform for cranial procedures. This integration delivers real-time imaging during neurosurgery, enabling surgeons to assess anatomical changes and enhance surgical precision. The solution addresses the clinical challenge of "brain shift"—natural brain movement during surgery that can compromise pre-operative imaging accuracy. By providing live ultrasound images alongside pre-operative MRI or CT scans, the system supports informed decision-making in the operating room. The FDA-cleared navigation system integrates planning, navigation, and robotics capabilities, while the ultrasound tool functions as a seamless plug-and-play visualization solution that maintains established surgical workflows without disruption.

Chen Hsong Group has partnered with DataMesh to develop an advanced digital twin solution that revolutionizes production line delivery across the entire customer lifecycle. By integrating digital twin and artificial intelligence technologies, the collaboration transforms traditional production line planning into immersive, interactive 3D simulation environments. This innovative approach enables engineers and customers to validate design scenarios, visualize operational metrics such as throughput and cycle time, and accelerate decision-making before physical deployment. The solution addresses critical manufacturing industry challenges by streamlining pre-sales planning, simulation validation, and after-sales training, ultimately improving efficiency and service quality in an increasingly complex market focused on integrated production line solutions rather than standalone equipment sales.

The emergence of consumer AR glasses in 2026 presents a tempting but risky option for enterprise deployment. While consumer models like Meta Ray-Bans offer affordability and contribute positively to market adoption, they fundamentally differ from enterprise-grade solutions. Consumer glasses prioritize personal convenience and lifestyle features, whereas enterprise applications demand robust security, workflow integration, device management, durability, compliance, and measurable operational value. Organizations considering AR deployment in mission-critical environments such as warehouses, healthcare, or field service must evaluate glasses based on organizational requirements rather than cost alone. Partnering with experienced enterprise AR suppliers ensures solutions meet the stringent demands of professional operations.

RWJBarnabas Health is pioneering neurosurgical innovation through an advanced extended reality (XR) platform that transforms standard MRI and CT imaging into immersive, interactive 3D models. This technology enables surgeons to visualize complex brain and spine conditions with unprecedented precision while allowing patients and caregivers to better understand their diagnoses. The eXperiential Reality® platform, integrated with operating room systems and enhanced by artificial intelligence, supports surgical planning, procedure rehearsal, and real-time decision-making for conditions including brain tumors, epilepsy, and complex spine disorders. By creating detailed "digital twins" of patient anatomy, the platform enhances surgical accuracy, improves patient education, and streamlines preoperative planning at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.

Pixee Medical has achieved FDA 510(k) clearance for Knee+ NexSight, an innovative augmented reality navigation solution designed for total knee arthroplasty procedures. Developed on a next-generation AR platform, this advancement represents a significant technological leap for the company and positions it to capture growth opportunities within the U.S. market, particularly among ambulatory surgical centers. The clearance validates Pixee Medical's commitment to advancing orthopedic surgery through cutting-edge AR-guided navigation technology, enabling surgeons to enhance precision and patient outcomes during knee replacement procedures.

The enterprise augmented reality market is experiencing explosive growth, and 2026 marks a pivotal inflection point where AR transitions from experimental pilot programs to mission-critical business infrastructure. Organizations across manufacturing, healthcare, field service, and logistics are discovering that AR isn’t just a cool technology—it’s a measurable driver of operational efficiency, safety, and bottom-line profitability.

Augmented reality solutions in 2026 enable enterprises to merge digital and physical environments through spatial computing, real-time data overlays, and digital twin integration. These systems drive measurable gains in productivity, training efficiency, and ROI across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and education. Advanced platforms like HoloLens 2, Magic Leap 2, and Apple Vision Pro support immersive collaboration and visualization, while software frameworks including Unity, Unreal Engine, and Vuforia deliver scalable, cross-platform performance. As interoperability standards like OpenXR and WebXR mature, AR becomes a core enterprise technology that enhances decision-making, operational accuracy, and user engagement.

Au Louvre, Snapchat démontre que la réalité augmentée peut enrichir la visite muséale avec simplicité, pédagogie et immersion, tout en esquissant un futur où le numérique s’intègre naturellement dans notre environnement quotidien.