Pokemon Go Data Used to Train AI Models for Drone Navigation in Combat Zones
Data from the popular AR game Pokemon Go is being used to train an AI model. Niantic's subsidiary, Niantic Spatial, has partnered with software company Vantor to help military drones navigate in combat zones where GPS is unavailable. The data stems from AR scans voluntarily submitted by players.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 22:57
- 🔍 Collected: June 13, 2026 at 00:45 (1h 48m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 13, 2026 at 04:07 (3h 22m after Collected)
San Francisco, 12th (CNA/Agencies) - Following the sale of its gaming division last year, Niantic, the developer of "Pokemon Go," is currently partnering with software company Vantor to train AI models using user data from the game. The goal is to eventually assist military drones in navigating combat zones.
According to a report by The Guardian, the augmented reality (AR) mobile game "Pokemon Go" was launched in 2016, allowing players to use their phone cameras to find and catch Pokemon in the real world, becoming an instant smash hit. In 2018, Niantic announced that global downloads of the mobile game had surpassed 800 million.
In 2021, the game updated its "PokeStops" system, allowing players to earn in-game rewards by scanning real-world locations with their devices. This feature required active participation and the uploading of video recordings by players.
In March of last year, mobile gaming giant Scopely acquired Niantic's gaming division for $3.5 billion (approximately NT$110.7 billion), bringing famous mobile games like Pokemon Go under its umbrella. Before selling the gaming division, Niantic had already collected real-world scan data from Pokemon Go users.
DroneXL, a media outlet focusing on drone news, reported earlier this week that past scan data from Pokemon Go is being used to train Niantic's AI models, enabling them to recognize and analyze physical spaces.
In December of last year, Niantic Spatial, a subsidiary spun off from Niantic, announced a partnership with Vantor, a company specializing in spatial detection software for drones. The partnership aims to help drones execute precise navigation and coordination in GPS-denied areas. Some of Vantor's products have been adopted by the military.
A statement noted: "This partnership addresses key vulnerabilities in modern warfare, including GPS unavailability, electronic spoofing, interference, and jamming. When satellite signals are disrupted, autonomous systems and combat teams lose the ability to position, communicate, or maintain accurate situational awareness."
A spokesperson for Niantic Spatial stated: "The AR Scans collected by Pokemon Go were all voluntarily submitted by players who opted into this feature, and this action was subject to the terms of service and privacy policies applicable at the time." Both parties indicated that this partnership is currently still in its early stages.
According to a report by The Guardian, the augmented reality (AR) mobile game "Pokemon Go" was launched in 2016, allowing players to use their phone cameras to find and catch Pokemon in the real world, becoming an instant smash hit. In 2018, Niantic announced that global downloads of the mobile game had surpassed 800 million.
In 2021, the game updated its "PokeStops" system, allowing players to earn in-game rewards by scanning real-world locations with their devices. This feature required active participation and the uploading of video recordings by players.
In March of last year, mobile gaming giant Scopely acquired Niantic's gaming division for $3.5 billion (approximately NT$110.7 billion), bringing famous mobile games like Pokemon Go under its umbrella. Before selling the gaming division, Niantic had already collected real-world scan data from Pokemon Go users.
DroneXL, a media outlet focusing on drone news, reported earlier this week that past scan data from Pokemon Go is being used to train Niantic's AI models, enabling them to recognize and analyze physical spaces.
In December of last year, Niantic Spatial, a subsidiary spun off from Niantic, announced a partnership with Vantor, a company specializing in spatial detection software for drones. The partnership aims to help drones execute precise navigation and coordination in GPS-denied areas. Some of Vantor's products have been adopted by the military.
A statement noted: "This partnership addresses key vulnerabilities in modern warfare, including GPS unavailability, electronic spoofing, interference, and jamming. When satellite signals are disrupted, autonomous systems and combat teams lose the ability to position, communicate, or maintain accurate situational awareness."
A spokesperson for Niantic Spatial stated: "The AR Scans collected by Pokemon Go were all voluntarily submitted by players who opted into this feature, and this action was subject to the terms of service and privacy policies applicable at the time." Both parties indicated that this partnership is currently still in its early stages.