The SensAI Hackathon global tour is making a stop in San Francisco with the Worlds in Action Hack, hosted at Founders, Inc. San Francisco Lab. Taking place March 14–15, 2026, the event is positioned between GDC and NVIDIA GTC. It is presented as a spatial and physical AI hackathon centered on world models, where simulations become interactive realities. The weekend gathering brings together XR developers, robotics builders, and AI creators for pre-hack workshops, rapid prototyping, demonstrations, and awards, fostering innovation in the future of XR and AI.
Event Highlights
• 150+ Hackers: A diverse group of XR Developers, Robotics Engineers, AI Creators, and World-Model Hackers will collaborate.
• $10,000+ Prize Pool: Participants can compete for cash prizes and partner rewards for the best world-model prototypes in spatial and physical AI.
• 48 Hours: A high-intensity weekend sprint focused on building, testing, and demonstrating real-world model applications.
Challenge Categories
• Enterprise & Autonomous Solution: Address real operational challenges such as autonomous navigation, predictive logistics, or responsive AI agents.
• XR, Gaming & Immersive Experience: Create playable, generative worlds featuring adaptive gameplay, personalized environments, and interactive storytelling.
• Physical AI & Hardware Demo: Showcase robotics powered by world models, focusing on precise manipulation, teleoperation, and real-world interaction.
• World Models Impl. with PICO: Integrate world models into PICO to develop adaptive experiences, real-time scene creation, spatial interfaces, or prediction-driven teleoperation.
• WebSpatial Implementation: Build a cross-platform XR experience using WebSpatial for spatially-aware applications, voice interaction, and hands-free immersive experiences.
Developer Resources
• SensAI Kits Directory: Access ready-to-use AI kits fully integrated with the Meta XR SDK and Unity to speed up XR prototyping.
• SensAI Knowledge Hub: Explore a curated list of context-aware AI capabilities, including models and providers, with examples from real projects.
• Hands-On Workshops: Participate in workshops and open lectures from industry experts on essential XR, computer vision, and AI topics.
• SensAI Hackademy Discord: Connect with fellow hackers before the event to share ideas, ask questions, and form teams.
Event Schedule
Day 1
• 09:00 AM: Doors Open - Arrival, check-in, and breakfast.
• 10:00 AM: Kickoff - Official opening with hackathon briefing, rules, and safety guidelines.
• 10:30 AM: Sponsor & Mentor Introductions - Meet the supporting mentors and partners.
• 11:30 AM: Team Initiation - Form teams, assign roles, and finalize project direction.
• 12:00 PM: Build Begins - Hacking officially starts.
• 12:30 PM: Lunch Break - A break to recharge and network.
• 04:00 PM: Optional Workshops - Hands-on sessions, mini-tutorials, and technical support.
• 07:00 PM: Kickoff Tuning + Dinner - Dinner and late-day alignment to refine concepts.
Day 2
• 08:00 AM: Doors Open - The final sprint begins for building and debugging.
• 12:30 PM: Lunch Break - A quick break before final submissions.
• 01:00 PM: Submissions Close - Final project and demo materials are due.
• 02:00 PM: Judging - Teams present to the jury for review based on innovation, execution, and impact.
• 03:00 PM: Open Demos - Showcase projects to the community through live demos and networking.
Venue Information
• Location: Founders, Inc. San Francisco Lab, 2 Marina Blvd B300, San Francisco, CA, United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Who can attend?: Anyone interested is eligible to apply. Previous experience with XR projects is a plus. Applicants should explain their interest in joining.
• How much does it cost?: The event is free to attend. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation.
• What should I bring?: Participants should bring their own XR working equipment.
• What is the code of conduct?: All attendees must adhere to the SensAI Hack code of conduct to ensure a safe and inclusive environment.
• How does the prize pool work?: Each challenge category has its own first and runner-up prizes. Specific prize details are available on each location's website.
• Can I apply with a team?: You can apply individually or with a team. Individual applicants will have opportunities to form teams on-site or via Discord.
• How large can teams be?: Teams are limited to a maximum of 5 members.
• Can we build on past projects?: No, all projects must be started on the first day of the hackathon. Brainstorming ideas beforehand is encouraged.
• Will hardware be provided?: A limited number of Quest 3 headsets will be available. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own headsets to ensure availability.
• When do applications close?: Applications are open until one week before the event and are accepted on a rolling basis. Due to limited spots, applying early is recommended.
This event represents an opportunity to engage with the future of 3D and AI. By providing a platform to capture, create, and share experiences, participants can contribute to a new way of storytelling and exploration. Innovators are invited to join the community and help build the next generation of realistic 3D models, scenes, and worlds.