AI startup Odyssee's new tool can generate photorealistic 3D worlds

Odyssey, a startup founded by Oliver Cameron and Jeff Hawke, is developing an AI tool called Explorer that transforms text or images into 3D renderings. Explorer, which generates interactive, real-time scenes, is particularly tuned for creating photorealistic environments thanks to its training on real-world landscapes captured by Odyssey's custom camera system. The tool uses gaussian splats, a volume rendering technique, and its outputs can be integrated into creative software like Unreal Engine and Blender. Despite current limitations such as long generation times and low resolution, Explorer has been adopted by production houses and independent artists.

Odyssey emphasizes collaboration with creative professionals and has appointed Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, to its board. The company aims to explore generative world models as a new frontier in AI, aspiring to create immersive and interactive worlds. Odyssey has raised $27 million from investors like EQT Ventures and GV. The company acknowledges the potential disruption AI tools like Explorer could cause in industries such as film and gaming but remains committed to enhancing creative processes rather than replacing human professionals.

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Odyssey, founded by Oliver Cameron and Jeff Hawke, is developing Explorer, an AI tool that transforms text or images into 3D renderings.
Explorer is designed for creating photorealistic scenes using a custom 360-degree camera system and can integrate with tools like Unreal Engine and Blender.
The tool currently has limitations, such as long generation times and low resolution, but is being tested by production houses and artists.
Odyssey aims to collaborate with creative professionals and has added Ed Catmull to its board, emphasizing the potential of generative world models in AI.

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AI startup Odyssee's new tool can generate photorealistic 3D worlds | TechCrunch

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