Niantic wants to build an augmented reality map of the world

Pokémon Go developer Niantic is trying to build a tool that will let its game users map the world around them in augmented reality.

The developer told Reuters in an interview that it plans to use players’ cameras to map out public spaces. This could make a public plaza look like a Pokémon gym, for instance.

Essentially, this feature could allow the player see into the world of Pokémon through their phone instead of seeing a Pokémon placed into their world.

Niantic told Reuters that the key to making this all happen is through player’s smartphone cameras. Players could use their phones to send data back to the company so it can map AR data on top of real-world items.

So far there is no indication when this feature will see the light of day, but Niantic CEO John Hanke stated to Reuters that it will come to public parks and plazas first.

Early in 2018, Niantic bought a startup called Escher Reality to help turn this technology a reality. Escher Reality previously worked on making 3D mapping and multi-user AR technologies.

Source: Reuters