"We had a million-plus locations around the world where we can locate you precisely. We know where you're standing within several centimeters of accuracy and, most importantly, where you're looking."
"Niantic Spatial has been using data collected from Pokémon GO to build a visual positioning system that uses images and videos instead of just coordinates from a GPS. The model has been trained on over 30 billion images captured in urban environments, specifically around hot spots like gyms where players would have taken photos from many different angles and at different times of day."
Niantic Spatial, an AI-focused subsidiary formed after Niantic's acquisition by Saudi-owned Scopely, has leveraged map data collected from Pokémon GO players to develop a visual positioning system. This system uses over 30 billion images captured in urban environments to pinpoint locations within centimeters of accuracy, surpassing GPS reliability in areas with signal interference. The technology is being deployed with delivery robot companies like Coco Robotics for improved navigation. Niantic Spatial's leadership envisions this as the foundation for a continuously updated virtual world simulation, with plans to gather additional map data from more robots using the system. Players unknowingly contributed this data during gameplay at various locations and times.
Read at Kotaku
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