John Padgett launches Spaxial experiential AI platform

On October 22, 2026, John Padgett, a former Disney and Carnival executive who participated in creating MagicBand and Medallion, announced the founding of privately funded technology company Spaxial and the launch of an "experiential AI" platform for resorts, casinos, cruise ships, theme parks and sports venues. According to Hospitality Technology, the platform combines ultra-wideband positioning, LiDAR, edge computing and wearable hardware to provide frontline staff with guest identity and location context in milliseconds; the platform claims to sit on top of existing PMS, CRS, POS and retail systems without requiring replacement of core infrastructure, and uses a blockchain-based permissioned digital identity model with voluntary guest opt-in. The platform is currently at launch stage, with no reports of deployments or go-live progress.