Pokémon Go: Game Data at the Heart of Military Technology

Players of Pokémon Go have unknowingly contributed to a major technological advancement in autonomous navigation. By scanning real-world locations with their smartphones, these millions of players have generated valuable 3D data that has been used to train the artificial intelligence models of Niantic Spatial. These models enable camera-based navigation without relying on GPS.

The AR scans performed by players have fed into Niantic's spatial AI models. This technology is now combined with software from an American defense contractor for GPS-free navigation. The data collected by Pokémon Go players has been used to train an AI model capable of supporting military drones, according to a report from the Telegraph (based on information from the Dutch newspaper Trouw).

This dates back to a 2021 update. The developer Niantic added in-game incentives for players to scan real-world locations with their smartphones. Millions of users then scanned streets, buildings, parks, and trees, generating billions of visual mapping data points, according to the site DroneXL. Participation was voluntary, and permissions were collected.

From Mobile Game to Defense Partnership

In December 2025, Niantic Spatial announced a partnership with Vantor, an American defense intelligence company that develops spatial detection software for drones, including military UAVs. The partnership aims to address issues of GPS denial, spoofing, interference, and jamming, according to the announcement. When satellite signals are compromised, autonomous systems and teams on the ground lose their bearings.

Technically, the two companies are combining Niantic's ground-based visual positioning system with Vantor's Raptor software and its 3D terrain data, built from over two decades of satellite imagery. The result is a shared coordinate system for drones, vehicles, and AR headsets. Initial tests have shown a reduction in errors of up to 70% and an accuracy of about 1.5 meters, according to a blog post from Niantic Spatial. The visual system is immune to standard signal jammers.

No Direct Data Transfer, but Scans Trained the Core Models

Both companies told Guardian Australia that the ground scans from the game were not directly handed over to Vantor. Instead, they were used to train Niantic's core models. A spokesperson for Niantic Spatial emphasized that the AR scans were voluntarily submitted by players who opted into this feature and were covered by the privacy policies and terms of service in effect at the time.

In February 2026, Vantor also secured a contract with the U.S. military worth up to $217 million for the One World Terrain program. This effort focuses on high-precision 3D terrain data for the military's synthetic training environment—realistic simulation and mission rehearsal. There is no public evidence that Pokémon Go scans will be part of this specific contract. GPS jamming and spoofing are already being used in wars in Ukraine and Iran to disrupt kamikaze drones, reconnaissance drones, and GPS-guided missiles.

Niantic recently separated its gaming division from its geospatial AI business. In March 2025, Scopely, backed by Saudi Arabia, acquired the gaming sector for $3.5 billion, while Niantic Spatial continues as an independent company focused on spatial AI models.