Millions of Pokémon Go players may have unintentionally helped build navigation technology now being adapted for drones and military robotics, according to a June 5, 2026, investigation by Trouw.
The report says nearly 30B scans collected through the game’s augmented reality features became part of a geospatial artificial intelligence (AI) model now controlled by Niantic Spatial.
The investigation traces those scans to Pokémon Go’s optional Pokéstop scanning system, introduced in 2021.
According to the report, those scans were used to train an early version of Niantic Spatial’s visual positioning system, a technology designed to locate devices without relying on the global positioning system (GPS).
In December 2025, Niantic Spatial announced a partnership with Vantor to build an integrated positioning system for drones, augmented reality (AR) hardware, vehicles, and field systems operating in signal-denied environments.
Millions of Pokémon Go players may have unintentionally helped build navigation technology now being adapted for drones and military robotics, according to a June 5, 2026, investigation by Trouw. The report says nearly 30B scans collected through the game’s augmented reality features became part of a geospatial artificial intelligence (AI) model now controlled by Niantic Spatial.
The investigation traces those scans to Pokémon Go’s optional Pokéstop scanning system, introduced in 2021.
Players could record real-world locations in exchange for rewards, creating a vast database of streets, buildings, and landmarks. According to the report, those scans were used to train an early version of Niantic Spatial’s visual positioning system, a technology designed to locate devices without relying on the global positioning system (GPS).
That capability has become commercially valuable as GPS disruption grows more common in both civilian and defense operations. In December 2025, Niantic Spatial announced a partnership with Vantor to build an integrated positioning system for drones, augmented reality (AR) hardware, vehicles, and field systems operating in signal-denied environments.
