Insta360 Partners with Splatica to Enable 3D Recreations from 360-Degree Cameras

Insta360 partnered with Splatica to enable creators to create 3D digital recreations using 360-degree cameras. The Verge reported that this collaboration allows users to digitize chunks of the real world in photorealistic 3D through Gaussian splatting technology. Splatica provides a subscription service that processes 360-degree video into 3D worlds viewable in a web browser.

Splatica is a 12-person UK startup. The article was written by Sean Hollister, a senior editor and founding member of The Verge who covers gadgets, games, and toys. Sean Hollister spent 15 years editing at CNET, Gizmodo, and Engadget.

The article was published on April 24, 2026, at 3:30 PM UTC. The Verge wrote about Gaussian splatting in January 2026. Gaussian splatting is a technology that enables digital re-creation of real-world chunks in photorealistic 3D.

To use Splatica, users change two settings on an Insta360 camera or Antigravity drone. Users sign up for a Splatica account and upload the video. Splatica takes one day to process uploaded video into a 3D world viewable in a web browser.

Sean Hollister tested Splatica with an Insta360 X5 camera. Insta360 cameras are used for real estate virtual tours, construction progress reports, and facility inspections.

Splatica automatically edits out most people in scenes. Sean Hollister captured a giant play structure in his local park using Antigravity A1. Sean Hollister captured a basketball hoop at another park using Antigravity A1.

Sean Hollister simulated a bridge inspection at the same park focusing on one pillar underneath the BART commuter rail using Antigravity A1. Sean Hollister spent over five minutes capturing his backyard with the Insta360 X5. Splatica generates 3D point clouds from scans.

Scans can be downloaded in PLY and USDZ format. Splatica measurements have a one percent error every 100 centimeters. Splatica measurements can be more accurate by placing markers around an area.

Sean Hollister 3D scanned his backyard in 2021 using a Skydio drone. Skydio charged $2,999 per year for the 2021 backyard scanning feature, not including a drone or stitching service. Splatica uses a proprietary version of SLAM designed for accurate point clouds from 360-degree video.

Insta360 and Antigravity cameras include metadata in video files such as lens distortion parameters, shutter speed, accelerometer and gyroscope data, and GPS. GPS metadata is streamed from the Insta360 mobile app to the camera during capture. Insta360, Antigravity, and Splatica launched a marketing campaign called Project Eternal.

Project Eternal is a global initiative to preserve cultural landmarks using Gaussian splats. Project Eternal offers prizes for the best Gaussian splats. Project Eternal provides 1,000 free Splatica uploads on a first-come first-served basis.

Project Eternal includes a pilot project to scan Pompeii and Civita di Bagnoregio in Italy. Project Eternal invites creators worldwide to scan sites like Roman theaters and Korea’s Jeju Island. Splatica maintains public access indefinitely to scenes submitted to its Open Heritage Dataset.

Insta360 has enterprise customers piloting 3D reconstruction and digital twin workflows in construction and facilities management. Splatica charges between 18 cents and 25 cents per second of processed video. Splatica requires a monthly subscription.

Splatica's pricing tiers were $70, $200, or $385 per month last week depending on scan size. Splatica waives its subscription fee for the first 1,000 users, each able to process 10 minutes of 360-degree footage.

Splatica has a public gallery with over 100 splats. The article was updated on April 25, 2026. The update replaced embeds with ones tweaked by Splatica to load better on some iOS devices. Splatica has sample scenes including the Imecar Elektronik factory in Antalya, Türkiye.

Splatica has sample scenes including part of the Leighton House in London.