The article explains how the augmented reality game Pokémon Go is inadvertently creating a valuable dataset for robotics companies. The game’s players, by submitting millions of photos to improve the game’s AR mapping, are generating detailed, real-time visual data of streets, sidewalks, and building entrances. This data is being leveraged by robotics firms to train delivery robots, providing them with a highly accurate and frequently updated understanding of urban environments that goes beyond traditional mapping. This allows the robots to navigate complex last-yard delivery scenarios more reliably, such as identifying the correct door or navigating temporary obstacles. The piece discusses the ethical considerations of this data repurposing, noting that while the imagery is anonymized, players are generally unaware their contributions are aiding commercial robotics. Read the full article at https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/03/10/1134099/how-pokemon-go-is-helping-robots-deliver-pizza-on-time/