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Pokémon Go, initially thought to be just a game for entertainment, has turned out to be much more than that. It was a clever scheme by Niantic to exploit user data in order to expedite the development of an AI-based navigation system that could potentially rival Google Maps.
Niantic, the company behind the Pokémon Go app, released the game to the public in July 2016. Little did users know that while they were out hunting for Pokémon, they were also contributing valuable data to Niantic’s project. By strategically placing PokéStops and Pokémon Gyms, the company was able to collect images and scans of locations that even Google Maps doesn’t have.
The game quickly gained popularity, with over one billion installations by 2019. Players were required to physically visit various locations to find new Pokémon and battle other users. This unique gameplay allowed Niantic to gather detailed images of streets, footpaths, parks, and businesses, giving them a more accurate representation of the real world.
Niantic has been working on their Visual Positioning System for the past five years, using images captured by players to develop a 3D map of the world. With over 10 million locations scanned and one million new scans added weekly, the company is building a vast database of images to train neural networks for their AI navigation system.
The neural networks compress thousands of mapped images into digital recreations of physical spaces, allowing for more accurate positioning and orientation. This sophisticated system can determine a phone’s location using just a single image, making it ideal for autonomous systems, navigation, and augmented reality products.
In a blog post, Niantic explained the importance of their scanning efforts. By collecting data from millions of locations worldwide, they are able to create a distributed knowledge base that improves the accuracy and reliability of their AI navigation system. This data can be used to determine optimal walking paths, learn user routines, and enhance various aspects of the technology.
For example, if you were standing behind a church, the system would be able to locate you based on the data collected from similar locations globally. Each unique location contributes to the overall geospatial model, providing valuable information for autonomous systems and navigation tools.
While Pokémon Go may have seemed like just a game, it was actually a strategic move by Niantic to gather data for their advanced AI technology. The success of the game allowed them to collect vast amounts of information from players around the world, ultimately leading to the development of a cutting-edge navigation system.
As technology continues to evolve, it is essential for companies like Niantic to innovate and take advantage of new opportunities. By leveraging user data in creative ways, they are shaping the future of AI-based products and services. Pokémon Go was just the beginning of what Niantic has in store for the future.
