Pokémon Go, the wildly popular augmented-reality game developed by Niantic, has been at the center of controversy due to allegations that it was a scheme to exploit user data in order to expedite the development of a competitor to Google Maps that is lacking in artificial intelligence (AI). While these accusations may seem far-fetched to some, evidence suggests that Niantic has indeed been utilizing data collected from the game to create a sophisticated AI-based navigation system.

Niantic, the parent company behind Pokémon Go, introduced the game to the public in July 2016, and it quickly became a global phenomenon, with over one billion installations by 2019. The premise of the game is simple: players must physically visit real-world locations in order to discover new Pokémon and engage in battles with other users. These locations, known as PokéStops and Pokémon Gyms, were strategically placed by Niantic to capture images and scans of areas that Google Maps does not have street view images of.

To capture more detailed images of streets, footpaths, parks, and businesses, Niantic opted to utilize individuals walking around with their phones rather than traditional vehicles with cameras mounted on the roof. Through this approach, the company was able to collect a vast amount of data that could be used to develop a Visual Positioning System (VPS) over the course of five years. This system enables a phone to determine its position and orientation using a 3D map generated from scans of various locations in the game and Scaniverse.

With over 10 million locations worldwide scanned in detail and approximately one million new scans added each week, Niantic has amassed a vast database of images that are being used to train neural networks. These networks, numbering more than 50 million, are capable of compressing thousands of mapped images into digital recreations of real-world spaces. This technology has the potential to revolutionize autonomous systems, navigation, and augmented reality products.

According to a blog post by Niantic, the company’s geospatial model is able to recognize and categorize various physical locations based on their attributes. For example, if a user is standing behind a church, the model can identify similar churches across the globe and provide relevant information based on this distributed knowledge. This demonstrates the power of the technology in not only mapping physical spaces but also understanding the unique characteristics of different locations.

While the ultimate goal of Niantic’s data collection and AI development remains somewhat unclear, the company has suggested that it could greatly enhance existing navigation systems and autonomous technologies. By utilizing the vast amount of data collected from Pokémon Go and other sources, Niantic is at the forefront of artificial intelligence research in the field of augmented reality.

In conclusion, while the allegations of Pokémon Go being a scheme to exploit user data may raise concerns, it is clear that Niantic’s efforts in developing AI-based navigation systems have the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with the world around us. By leveraging the data collected from the game, Niantic is paving the way for a future where autonomous systems and augmented reality technologies are more advanced and immersive than ever before.