14 May 2026
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AWE Team
Meet the 8 Pioneers Joining the XR Hall of Fame in 2026
AWE USA 2026
XR Hall of Fame
The foundation of today's XR industry wasn't built overnight. It was paved by decades of technical breakthroughs, creative risks, and visionary thinking. In 2024, we launched the XR Hall of Fame to honor these trailblazers. After inducting 101 pioneers in our first year and 10 more in 2025, we are proud to announce 8 new inductees for 2026.
These individuals have contributed to what immersive technology looks like today and their work covers everything from motion tracking and AR hardware to immersive storytelling and safety standards.
Celebrating the Class of 2026
We will officially honor these legends during the Auggie Awards Ceremony on June 17 at AWE USA 2026 in Long Beach. Here are the newest members of the XR Hall of Fame:
Al Rodgers
A quiet powerhouse in engineering who invented the motion-tracking systems that define the XR industry. Al joined Polhemus in 1969 and was behind the development of the electromagnetic tracking systems used in the legendary VCASS project and the Scorpion Helmet Mounted Cueing System for combat aviators.
Rebecca Allen
A pioneer artist and scientist, Rebecca created the iconic 3D computer graphics for the band Kraftwerk in the 1980s. Her work, including The Bush Soul, explored emotion-driven virtual worlds long before they were mainstream.
Karl Guttag
over 40 years in display technology and 150 patents, Karl is known for his rigorous technical analysis. His blog, KG On Technology, helps the industry look past marketing hype to focus on real engineering excellence.
Brett Leonard
The director behind The Lawnmower Man, Brett introduced the concept of Virtual Reality to the global public in the early 90s. Today, he continues to push boundaries in virtual therapy and healing.
Lance Loesberg
Lance produced the first commercial 360° video application in 1999. Through BigLook360, he has spent 25 years turning XR into a scalable tool for training and healthcare.
Charlie Fink
Charlie Fink co-founded Virtual World Entertainment in the 1990s and helped launch the early BattleTech Centers. Over the last decade, he has become a leading XR and metaverse journalist, consultant, industry analyst, and author. He also produces and co-hosts one of the leading podcasts covering XR and AI.
Kay Stanney
A leader in XR safety, Kay's research on simulation sickness led to the adoption of safety standards used by major firms worldwide. She is one of the few women in the National Academy of Engineers recognized for XR work.
Kiira Benzing
An award-winning director, Kiira is a pioneer in XR theatre. Her work, such as Finding Pandora X, bridges the gap between live performance and virtual spaces.
Read more about their work here and see who the other XR Hall of Famers are.
Join Us in Long Beach
AWE USA 2026 is the place to meet the people who built the industry and those defining the future. This year's theme, "I, Spatial: Humans Empowered by Spatial AI," focuses on keeping human agency at the center of technology.
Come celebrate these inductees and get your tickets for AWE USA 2026.
