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Niantic's Peridot Beyond: AI Companions Guide You Through Reality

Augmented Reality Niantic Labs Peridot Snap Spectacles Generative AI Pokémon Go Spatial Computing
October 16, 2025
Source: Wired AI
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Article Summary

Niantic Labs is pushing the boundaries of augmented reality with Peridot Beyond, a project leveraging generative AI to create interactive digital companions. Initially a mobile game, Peridot Beyond now utilizes Hume AI’s large language model to imbue its ‘Dots’ – dog-sized digital avatars – with conversational abilities. Through Snap Spectacles, users can engage in dialogues with these Dots, which appear to interact with the real world, offering guidance and commentary. The project aims to bridge the gap between the digital and physical realms, creating a personalized AR experience. Niantic Spatial, a new startup formed to explore geospatial data, is driving this initiative, focusing on accessibility and creating a calming navigation experience – much like having a friendly companion in a new city. The technology is still in early stages, with a focus on personality development and ensuring the avatars don’t lead users into dangerous situations (a nod to the challenges faced by Pokémon Go). This innovative approach demonstrates a potential future for AR, where AI companions become integral to our daily experiences.

Key Points

  • Niantic is integrating generative AI into its AR experiences with Peridot Beyond.
  • The project uses Hume AI’s language model to give the ‘Dots’ conversational abilities, allowing them to interact with users and the real world.
  • The core goal is to create a calming and intuitive AR navigation experience, mirroring the assistance of a friendly companion.

Why It Matters

This news is significant because it represents a crucial step towards truly immersive augmented reality. By combining generative AI with spatial data, Niantic is moving beyond simple overlays to create dynamic, personalized experiences. This approach has far-reaching implications for how we interact with our environment, potentially influencing navigation, tourism, education, and even social interactions. The focus on user experience – creating a ‘calm’ and engaging environment – is particularly important, as it addresses a key hurdle in the widespread adoption of AR technology.

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