The evolution from GPS to VPS represents exactly the kind of precision leap that's essential for spatial intelligence systems. Your point about centimeter-level accuracy being transformative for robotics resonates with the broader shift we're seeing - where environmental understanding isn't just about coordinates but semantic comprehension of space. The parallel between VPS providing spatial grounding and the way consciousness needs perceptual anchoring (as discussed in some recent AI consciousness research) is intriguing. Both require moving beyond coarse approximations to precise, context-aware positioning in their respective domains. The democratization of 3D mapping through tools like Multiset.AI could accelerate this in ways similar to how open datasets transformed machine learning.
The shift from satellite-based to vision-based localization is such a critical unlock for autonomous systems at street level. GPS's meter-level accuracy was fine for turn-by-turn navigation but completely breaks down when a delivery robot needs to distinguish sidewalk from roadway or dock at a specific apartment entrance. The centimeter-level precision from VPS basically transforms what's operationally feasible for last-mile robotics. What I find really compelling is how this pairs with the semantic understanding layer you mentioned, once you combine precise localization with scene comprehension, robots can handle edge cases that would've been imposible with GPS alone.
Great summary, as usual! It’s accelerating, indeed, and AI is offering new creative possibilities about this « what » you mention, it’s becoming exciting to see all the potential of an AI-powered AR layer.
But I also think we still have a few challenges, particularly around the need of standard, or a shared protocol, for this mirror world. I wrote about it a few years ago but there is a risk of « fragmented realities » if each device gives access to its own layer of virtual reality. The link if you are interested: https://marchorgues.substack.com/p/fragmented-reality-who-will-own-our
The evolution from GPS to VPS represents exactly the kind of precision leap that's essential for spatial intelligence systems. Your point about centimeter-level accuracy being transformative for robotics resonates with the broader shift we're seeing - where environmental understanding isn't just about coordinates but semantic comprehension of space. The parallel between VPS providing spatial grounding and the way consciousness needs perceptual anchoring (as discussed in some recent AI consciousness research) is intriguing. Both require moving beyond coarse approximations to precise, context-aware positioning in their respective domains. The democratization of 3D mapping through tools like Multiset.AI could accelerate this in ways similar to how open datasets transformed machine learning.
The shift from satellite-based to vision-based localization is such a critical unlock for autonomous systems at street level. GPS's meter-level accuracy was fine for turn-by-turn navigation but completely breaks down when a delivery robot needs to distinguish sidewalk from roadway or dock at a specific apartment entrance. The centimeter-level precision from VPS basically transforms what's operationally feasible for last-mile robotics. What I find really compelling is how this pairs with the semantic understanding layer you mentioned, once you combine precise localization with scene comprehension, robots can handle edge cases that would've been imposible with GPS alone.
Great summary, as usual! It’s accelerating, indeed, and AI is offering new creative possibilities about this « what » you mention, it’s becoming exciting to see all the potential of an AI-powered AR layer.
But I also think we still have a few challenges, particularly around the need of standard, or a shared protocol, for this mirror world. I wrote about it a few years ago but there is a risk of « fragmented realities » if each device gives access to its own layer of virtual reality. The link if you are interested: https://marchorgues.substack.com/p/fragmented-reality-who-will-own-our