Niantic Spatial, known for its geospatial AI technology, is demonstrating its platform and revealing various strategic initiatives at AWE USA 2025 in Long Beach, California.
The firm has collaborated with Snap Inc. under a multi-year agreement to create an AI-enhanced global map intended for AR glasses and AI agents. Additionally, Snap will make an investment in Niantic Spatial. This collaboration was unveiled during a keynote by Snap CEO Evan Spiegel on June 10.
The collaborative effort aims to integrate Niantic Spatial’s scanning technology and Visual Positioning System (VPS) into the Snap ecosystem via Lens Studio, Snapchat, and Spectacles later this year. Niantic Spatial anticipates that this will empower 400,000 AR developers to craft digital experiences across millions of locations while allowing 900 million Snapchat users to explore these Lenses and participate in extending the map.
“At Niantic Spatial, we aspire to create spatial intelligence that aids individuals and machines in better comprehending, navigating, and interacting with the physical environment,” stated Niantic Spatial CEO John Hanke. “Both organizations are wagering on spatial computing as the cornerstone for the forthcoming technology era, spanning from AR glasses to physical-world AI agents. This collaboration propels that collective vision forward.”
“We believe that digital experiences can blend more seamlessly into the physical realm, creating more human-centric computing interactions,” remarked Evan Spiegel, CEO and co-founder of Snap. “By partnering with Niantic Spatial, we’re eager to empower developers to craft experiences that are increasingly intuitive, immersive, and interconnected with the real world.”
A preview demo of the collaboration featuring Snap and Niantic’s Peridot experience is accessible this week just outside the Long Beach Convention Center during AWE USA 2025.
Besides the collaboration with Snap, Niantic Spatial has also joined forces with the Singapore Tourism Board to design Garden of Wonder, an immersive AR project situated at Gardens by the Bay. Utilizing the company’s ARDK and experienced through Magic Leap 2 devices, the installation allows guests to engage with botanical features in a shared multiplayer environment. A preview can be visited at the Niantic Spatial Lounge at AWE.
Furthermore, Niantic Spatial has introduced a new Developer Program providing early access to its platform, complete with dedicated support and co-marketing opportunities. Initial sign-ups include Sugar Creative, Wonderment, and Trigger XR.
Twelve demonstrations are available at the company’s lounge during AWE USA 2025, exploring enterprise applications in logistics, planning, and immersive experiences:
- The Drop Zone delves into spatial solutions for delivery logistics.
- Demos from Sphere and Aelius showcase tools for collaboration and operational planning.
- Entertainment demonstrations include the previously mentioned Singapore Tourism Board demo, along with Hello, Dot on Meta Quest, Peridot Beyond on Snap Spectacles, Entrance (XR Portal), Globe Hopping, Scaniverse, and Into the Scaniverse.
An exclusive outdoor VPS demonstration utilizing Snap Spectacles is also being held at 164 S Pine Ave, Long Beach.
Niantic Spatial creates geospatial AI technology based on a third-generation digital map and its Visual Positioning System, which provides centimeter-level precision. The firm has stated that its long-term vision is “to develop and train a Large Geospatial Model to provide a semantically rich, spatially grounded understanding of real-world places.”
For additional details regarding Niantic Spatial, click here. To find out more about Snap Inc., click here.
