Millions of Pokémon Go players who voluntarily scanned real-world landmarks helped build the mapping technology now used by delivery robots. According to a report, earlier versions of Niantic Spatial‘s Visual Positioning System incorporated optional scans submitted by players. The company has now partnered with Coco Robotics to power navigation for its autonomous delivery machines in cities where GPS is unreliable.
The mapping technology guiding delivery robots through city streets was built in part by millions of Pokémon Go players. As reported, these players submitted optional scans of public landmarks while playing the game.
Niantic Spatial, spun off from Niantic Inc. in May 2025, uses this data for its Visual Positioning System. The VPS determines location by analyzing nearby physical landmarks to complement GPS navigation.
In February, Niantic Spatial partnered with Coco Robotics to provide this navigation. Coco operates small autonomous robots delivering food and retail orders in several major cities.
Robotics companies are increasingly exploring vision-based systems as GPS signals struggle in urban environments. The VPS provides more reliable location data by comparing camera images with detailed visual maps.
Critics argue players may not have realized how their scans could be used. “143 million people thought they were catching Pokémon,” one user wrote.
Niantic stated participation was voluntary and scans are anonymized. “Players could choose to submit anonymized scans of public places to help improve VPS,” a company spokesperson said.
