VoxProg:3D Spatial Reasoning through Voxel Programming

Zhichao Zhai1Menglei Zhao1Guikun Chen1Zihao Yan2Kanzhi Wu2Wenguan Wang1Jun Xiao1

1Zhejiang University2vivo Mobile Communication Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China

TL;DRVoxProg empowers VLM coding agents with voxel programming—turning complex 3D spatial reasoning and open-ended spatial tasks into executable, self-refining code over 3D scenes.

3D spatial reasoning through voxel programming. VoxProg translates natural-language instructions into Python programs that construct task-relevant geometric references from local voxel views and compute 6-DoF object placements.
Overview

Abstract

Language models' abilities to interpret tasks and generate programs offer a promising basis for 3D spatial reasoning. Yet following spatial instructions in 3D scenes requires programs to construct geometric references that language leaves implicit. In this work, we introduce VoxProg, which formulates 3D object placement through voxel programming: a language model translates task interpretations into executable programs over local voxel views of scene surfaces. Because these views index surface geometry on regular grids with explicit coordinates and neighborhood relations, an evidence program can isolate task-relevant regions and boundaries directly from scene meshes, and a downstream pose program can measure the resulting geometry to compute a target SE(3) pose. Visual and numerical feedback from execution lets the model inspect intermediate selections and candidate placements to iteratively revise its code. To evaluate open-ended placement across functional use, geometric fit, and contextual arrangements, we introduce the 71-task VoxProg-Bench benchmark along with an evaluation suite pairing perceptual Intent Alignment and 3D Physical Validity. Across VoxProg-Bench and external benchmarks, VoxProg consistently outperforms relation-based, keypoint-based, and mesh-based baselines.

Framework

Method

An evidence program constructs task-relevant geometry from local voxel views. A pose program uses this evidence to align, center, and seat the plate.
Evaluation

Results

Primary Benchmark

VoxProg-Bench

71 open-ended placement tasks.

IA Rank Score
reference-image similarity ranked within each table.
Physical Validity
pass rate for geometric support and interpenetration checks.
MethodIA Rank
Score ↑
Physical
Validity (%) ↑
GenManip25.5973.2
GenSim2-kPAM42.7277.5
Direct Mesh48.5987.3
VoxProg83.1095.8
Qualitative results

Placement comparisons

Sneaker, headphones, sponge, VR-headset, and plate placements across GenManip, GenSim2-kPAM, Direct Mesh, and VoxProg.
Interactive Qualitative Gallery

Placement examples

Explore selected scenes in detail.

E13

Sneaker on display stand

“Place the sneaker on the sloped display stand with its toe facing the front.”
GenManip
GenSim2-kPAM
Direct Mesh
VoxProg
Cross-Benchmark Generalization

External evaluation

19 tasks adapted from RoboCasa and 13 from Open6DOR v2.
Final-pose comparisons on scenes adapted from RoboCasa (mug and cereal) and Open6DOR v2 (SD card).

Citation

If you use VoxProg in your research, please cite our paper.

BibTeX
@article{zhai2026voxprog,
  author  = {Zhai, Zhichao and Zhao, Menglei and Chen, Guikun and Yan, Zihao and Wu, Kanzhi and Wang, Wenguan and Xiao, Jun},
  title   = {{VoxProg}: {3D} Spatial Reasoning through Voxel Programming},
  journal = {arXiv preprint arXiv:2610.30127},
  year    = {2026}
}