蘑菇传媒

2026 Showcase Recap

This showcase took place on Thursday, April 23rd and is an annual event that brings together university researchers and industry professionals from the Finger Lakes region and throughout New York State for a dynamic, full-day event designed to spark meaningful interaction, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate innovation that drives regional economic growth.

Showcase Photo Gallery

Take a look at some of the moments that made the 2026 Showcase memorable, from student presentations and keynote insights to the connections that continue to spark new ideas.

Keynote Talk

Beyond Smart Display Glasses: Creating a path to Comfort, Context, and Depth in Spatial Computing.

Barry Silverstein
Director of the Center for eXtended Reality (CXR)
蘑菇传媒

The first generation of smart glasses is validating consumer value by delivering individualized, context-aware information in a wearable form factor. However, a significant engineering challenge separates these early data displays from the milestone of comfortable, ‘true AR’ with a wide field of view and high-fidelity digital overlays. This transition point is defined by simultaneous technical hurdles: scaling the new display technologies, integrating prescriptions without compromising weight and yield, and ensuring visual comfort, particularly during interactions involving both near-field and distant objects (as comparative visual studies have demonstrated). This talk analyzes the critical decision-making framework and key technical and commercial benchmarks that define the road from present monocular single focal optics to more complex, variable-focus display architectures. We will present a phased strategic roadmap that balances the necessary codesign of optics and computational engines, detailing the current knowns and unknowns required to reach a context-aware, all-day wearable.

Learn more about Barry Silverstein

Speed Networking Pitch Session

Attendees took part in a Speed Networking Pitch Session featuring three-minute pitches from faculty, companies, and organizations focused on research and collaboration.

NEW THIS YEAR: Technology Woman of the Year 2026

This year, TechRochester and the Centers hosted two events at the Memorial Art Gallery. Tech Rochester kicked off the day with its Technology Woman of the Year program which began at 8:30 a.m.

This award recognizes, celebrates, and elevates the achievements of women in high-technology fields. Through the Technology Woman of the Year Award and the Emerging Technology Woman of the Year Award, women working in these professions are encouraged to remain in the Greater Rochester region, mentor young women, and contribute to the area鈥檚 continued growth and innovation.

To learn more about TechRochester future events, please visit their website at

Poster Session Contest

Students participated in the poster session. The general categories include ARVR, Biomedical Technology, Data Science, OPI, and Sensors, Acoustics, and Materials. Submissions are welcome from all areas of Science and Technology. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three posters.