Using the new approach, glasses with displays will be able to comprehend precisely where they are in the actual world, allowing virtual things (such as a Pikachu) to remain constantly tethered to real-world places. It’s a necessary component for making AR glasses, such as the ones Niantic is developing with Qualcomm, functional.

Hanke, who formerly headed Google Maps before founding Niantic, said Lightship’s mission is to “essentially define a blueprint for what AR can be.” While internet behemoths like Meta and Apple are developing comparable technologies, he believes Lightship’s compatibility for iOS and Android will make it an appealing option to developers.

“The world now is split 50/50 between Android and iOS,” he explains. “And I believe the world of AR glasses will be considerably more diverse.” So a solution that genuinely solves the developer challenge of being able to write and design something that works across various platforms is critical.”