Niantic aims to enhance its 3D mapping of the world through its recent acquisition of Scaniverse in 2021.
The latest version of Scaniverse, Scaniverse 4, now allows iOS users to scan landmarks by simply walking around them and recording video for one to three minutes. Niantic has a long history of using similar functionalities to develop its extensive visual positioning system (VPS), which accurately locates a user on a real-world map for augmented reality experiences. Apps like Pokémon GO, Wayfarer, and Ingress have already encouraged users to upload scans, but this update takes the scans to a more advanced level.
Brian McClendon, Niantic’s VP of Engineering, mentioned to TechCrunch that Scaniverse now utilizes Gaussian splatting, a technique that gathers more data points about an object to create a more precise, detailed, and faster rendering.
In today’s TechCrunch Minute, we delve into Niantic’s investment in this technology and how it could impact apps like Pokémon GO.
