How a digital "you" can sit through your agonizing web conference calls | TechCrunch
Nov 24, 2024 - techcrunch.com
A startup called Pickle has developed a service that allows users to create an avatar of themselves for use in video calls. Users submit a five-minute training video to create the avatar, which is then ready within 24 hours. The service is ideal for those who want to appear to be in a professional setting while they are elsewhere, and it works with conferencing apps such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams. The service comes in basic, standard, and pro versions, costing between $300 and $1,150 per year.
Currently, the technology only works with MacOS, but a Windows version is expected to be released next month. The startup, backed by L.A. venture firm Krew Capital, has noted that due to high demand, the generation of clones is currently delayed.
Key takeaways:
A startup called Pickle allows users to create an avatar of themselves for video calls, enabling them to appear as if they're in their office when they're not.
The service requires a five-minute-long training video and the avatar is ready within 24 hours.
Pickle's service comes in basic, standard, and pro versions, ranging from $300 to $1,150 per year.
The technology currently only works with MacOS, but a Windows version is expected to be released next month. The conferencing apps supported include Zoom, Google Meet and Teams.
