JMT recently attended the Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2025 in Long Beach, CA—one of the world’s leading events focused on Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Spatial Computing. As technology continues to redefine the built environment, AWE brings together innovators, industry leaders, and solution providers from across the globe. Our team was there to stay ahead of how immersive technologies are reshaping workflows in the AECO industry—from design visualization to on-site operations and digital twins. 

One standout session, “Revit to Real-Time”, showcased how Unity is enabling real-time 3D pipelines from BIM tools like Revit, allowing stakeholders to visualize, simulate, and interact with construction data in ways never before possible. These immersive design reviews shorten approval timelines, reduce errors, and increase stakeholder engagement. Another key takeaway came from “Spatial Twins for Infrastructure”, where speakers demonstrated how XR paired with real-time IoT and geospatial data can help monitor bridges, roads, and utility systems, offering predictive maintenance and live operational insights. 

The panel “Pixels to Places: Building Immersive Futures in AEC” was laser-focused on the intersection of immersive tech and real-world infrastructure. Moderated by industry experts from NVIDIA and built environment firms, the discussion explored how XR and AI are shifting the design paradigm—from concept to construction to operation. Panelists emphasized the importance of context-aware design, where environments are built not just to code, but to user experience. Real-world case studies included AR field inspections for large-scale infrastructure projects and AI-assisted design generation for climate-resilient buildings. A key theme: immersive tech isn’t a novelty—it’s becoming a necessary layer in how we design, review, and build the world around us. 

The expo also highlighted rapid adoption of XR in construction safety and training. In talks like “Immersive Training for the Next-Gen Workforce”, industry experts shared how AR headsets and VR simulations are helping onboard workers faster while improving situational awareness. Additionally, companies like Trimble, Magic Leap, and Snaptrude revealed how spatial computing is bridging the gap between virtual planning and physical execution—enabling a future where field teams can see design intent overlaid directly on the job site. 

As the AECO industry evolves, JMT continues to evaluate and integrate cutting-edge tools that offer practical ROI and future-proof our services. Events like AWE keep us connected to what’s next, ensuring that we not only adopt new technology—but help shape how it’s applied to solve real-world challenges in our industry.

Written by Jamie Gant, III, Senior Interactive Developer and Immersioneer at JMT Technology Group