The Rise of Large Geospatial Models

Niantic recently introduced a concept called the large geospatial model (LGM), which functions similarly to a large language model used in AI. This model utilizes vast amounts of publicly collected data to predict how to navigate physical spaces. For instance, if an AI has only seen the front of a church, it can leverage information from thousands of similar churches worldwide to infer the layout and features of the one it has not encountered before. This capability is akin to predicting the placement of facilities like restrooms in restaurants based on prior experience, thereby showcasing the model's potential to understand and navigate various environments.