How Augment Therapy is Using Niantic Spatial’s AR Magic for Real-World Recovery
Over the last year, we've been collaborating closely with Niantic Spatial, working together to find ways to make movement more engaging, accessible, and fun. With our latest release of ARWell PRO and ARWell, we're excited to share a variety of new interactive Peridot-inspired therapeutic games we’ve built with the world. Together, we’re blending clinical expertise with the magic of augmented reality to help people of all ages and abilities move more, smile more, and grow stronger.
Here are a couple examples of the new experiences we have created together:
Hide and Seek: Building Executive Function Through Play
One of our favorite additions is the Hide and Seek game, inspired by the Peridot universe. In this activity, players search for virtual characters and race to “beat” Dot to the finish line–an experience that is not only fun, but promotes:
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Physical Activation: Players walk or run in place to explore a virtual world, promoting cardiovascular activity and improving endurance.
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Cognitive Engagement: To succeed, players must plan their movements and anticipate where to go next, strengthening executive function and motor planning skills.
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Dual Tasking: The need to coordinate physical motion with visual-spatial cues engages both body and brain, supporting higher-level cognitive development.
Through these layered challenges, Hide and Seek helps players build confidence in movement, sharpen decision-making, and experience the joy of discovery.
Fetch: Strength, Coordination, and Surprise
In Fetch, another fan favorite, players toss a virtual ball to their Dot–who sometimes brings back unexpected treasures! This simple yet powerful activity is packed with a lot of therapeutic value, including:
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Hand-Eye Coordination: Throwing and catching exercises develop timing and precision.
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Strength and Balance: Players bend, reach, and stand–engaging major muscle groups and improving stability.
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Executive Function and Problem Solving: The element of surprise (when the pet doesn’t bring back the ball!) keeps players thinking and reacting dynamically.
Each repetition not only supports motor control and postural stability but also reinforces a sense of accomplishment and connection through play.
Engagement Through Connection
What makes these exercises so impactful is the emotional connection players form with Dot. As Amy Pratt, our Director of Clinical Success, has observed, players light up when Dot appears–mirroring real-world joy and empathy as they interact with their animated friend. These emotional responses are crucial for sustained motivation and participation in therapy.
The above are only a small selection of the exercises we’ve built over the past year. In addition to the handful of other exercises we’ve published, we also have a series of others that are in the concept stage.
🚀 The Future of Movement, Powered by Play
As we continue our collaboration with Niantic Spatial, we’re exploring how we can leverage Niantic Spatial’s geospatial AI technology to support therapeutic goals in future experiences. Together, we’re showing that when therapy feels like play, participation and progress soar.
–Carmen Fontana, Chief Operating Officer at Augment Therapy
The following is a quick note from Asim Ahmed, Head of Product Marketing at Niantic Spatial, on their collaboration with Augment Therapy.
“This partnership shows what happens when you infuse technology with empathy. For me, this is personal; having spent years in and out of the hospital as a child, I saw the power technology, entertainment, and play can have on the recovery journey. The real impact is seeing that transformation happen: when a child sees themselves on screen with their Dot, the clinical environment fades, and they become immersed in a world of fun. We’ve seen this magic turn repetitive and sometimes physically arduous exercises into joyful interactions that can captivate kids for hours, not just minutes.
Our design approach always started with the clinical question: “What therapeutic benefit are we looking to solve?”. From there, we’d brainstorm concepts authentic to the Peridot IP; after all, what’s more natural than playing fetch with a magical pet? Finally, we layered in moments of pure delight, like a Dot bringing back a surprise treasure. This process ensures every exercise has deep therapeutic value while feeling, first and foremost, like play.
This work highlights the immense, untapped potential of immersive entertainment in healthcare. It pushes us to ask bigger questions about integrating Niantic’s cutting-edge geospatial AI technology. We envision a future where our Visual Positioning System (VPS) can "make any space a therapeutic space," turning a hospital hallway into a magical recovery path or a hospital playzone into an interactive therapy hub. This is the heart of Niantic Spatial’s mission: building AI that understands the physical world. This collaboration is a clear example of that story in action, using our technology to build real-world experiences that foster connection, discovery, and well-being.
– Asim Ahmed, Head of Product Marketing at Niantic Spatial