MIT Reality Hack: A Key Hub for XR Developers and Entrepreneurs on the US East Coast

Although the West Coast of the U.S. may seem like the epicenter of the XR industry, there’s something quite remarkable happening on the East Coast. The MIT Reality Hack hackathon has emerged as a crucial gathering for XR developers and entrepreneurs in this region. Rolling into its eighth year, this event has flourished with new opportunities for industry dialogue and networking, partly thanks to the introduction of the EXPERIENTIAL Conference. In an insightful overview, Executive Director Maria Rice sheds light on this year’s hackathon and its standout projects.

Maria Rice, the driving force behind the MIT Reality Hack, has been pivotal for eight years, propelling this event to the forefront of the experiential technology community. By orchestrating initiatives like the EXPERIENTIAL Innovation Conference, the inclusive Reality Scholars diversity fund, and the Reality Hack Founders Lab aimed at startups, Rice has set a high standard.

This year, from January 23 to 27, MIT became the destination for hundreds of ingenious hackers-for-good alongside revered tech veterans and startup visionaries. They gathered for the eighth annual MIT Reality Hack, the zenith of experiential technology hackathons.

A diverse array of international XR, AI, and deep tech players backed the Hack, with Lambda Labs supporting AI developments. Participants innovated with tools like the Meta Quest 3, Snap Spectacles, Qualcomm’s RB3g2 robotics, and more.

A highlight of this year’s event was the debut of cutting-edge hardware, such as MARADIN’s MEMS-based AR lenses, Haptikos’ haptic exoskeleton, and neurosensing equipment from OpenBCI, including the Galea headset.

MIT Reality Hack continued its tradition of harnessing vibrant energy, evident in the tireless efforts of around 600 participants over five days. This energy birthed 78 remarkable projects, each exploring unique XR applications.

Among the winners were YEIGO, an AR tool designed to improve posture among mobility aid users; CAREGIVR, a platform immersing users in end-of-life care preparation; and Tac-Man, a novel haptic device allowing detailed VR sculpting.

If you’d like to dive deeper, you can view the comprehensive list of this year’s winners across various hardware and software segments.

Running parallel to this was the EXPERIENTIAL Conference, a new initiative encouraging industry discourse and networking. Dubbed by some as the ‘Davos’ of spatial tech, it offered a stage for global attendees to present cutting-edge research, explore learning innovations, and discuss global application challenges.

Backed by organizations like IEEE Spectrum, Qualcomm, and Distance Technologies of Helsinki, the conference also aligned with the Reality Hack’s ‘hack-to-market’ movement. Two notable startup launches were showcased: Limit Labs presented RoomSeed, a genAI tool, while Haptikos introduced an affordable haptic exoskeleton, boasting unprecedented precision.

The conference also featured promising startups such as MIT’s own Three Space Lab and AI innovations from AUR+A and Taiwanese Meta Intelligence.

A pivotal discussion was sparked by Tim Bajarin of Creative Strategies, alongside Anshel Sag from Moor Insights & Strategy. Moderated by AR trailblazer Dan Cui, the conversation also saw Bajarin contributing as a judge at the hackathon, later describing the event in Forbes as “one of the highlights of my career,” despite his extensive 40-year tenure in the tech sphere.

Ziad Asghar, Senior VP & GM of XR at Qualcomm, led an inspiring keynote addressing the blend of AI in XR tech and the significant role of gatherings like MIT Reality Hack in nurturing revolutionary concepts and talent.

A panel led by MIT Senior Lecturer Ken Zolot converged figures from key institutions like the UNICC, Inclusive AI Lab, and Qualcomm to discuss experiential tech and hackathons as catalysts for inclusive innovation, economic expansion, and enriched human interaction across the globe.

The event wrapped up with a potent reminder from AWE co-founder Ori Inbar. He noted that while XR is on its way to becoming mainstream, realizing this potential requires a blend of seasoned XR builders and fresh talents to craft meaningful, diverse experiences for all. And that, he said, is the recipe for mainstream success.

For companies interested in the 2026 MIT Reality Hack and EXPERIENTIAL Innovation Conference, reaching out now could be your gateway to the future of XR.