Pokemon GO developer partners with Knight Foundation to revitalize Macon’s public spaces
The first cohort of Niantic/Knight Fellows selected, from second to left to right, are Joey Allen, Collin Fraum, Roger Riddle, Ming-Chun Lee, and Christopher Foreman. They are flanked by Niantic employees Yennie Solheim Fuller, on left, and Leah Caudell-Feagan, on right.
Macon is one of five cities picked to test how the company behind 2016’s mobile gaming phenomenon, Pokemon GO, can use its augmented reality technology to help residents re-imagine public spaces.
Niantic partnered with the Knight Foundation to form the Niantic/Knight Fellows Program.
The six-month long project assigns five fellows to lead community events in their respective cities. Each event focuses on using Niantic’s technology to provide residents and visitors with engaging new ways to interact with public spaces.
Macon’s designated fellow is Joey Allen, a Mercer alumnus and lifetime local. He decided to apply for the position after receiving an email about the program.
“I had done some work in augmented reality and social computing, and I’ve always been really excited to see how technology will positively impact the world, so I figured I would apply,” Allen said.
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