Move AI Raises $10 Million. Its Mo-Cap Animation Tech Requires Only An Iphone

London-based motion capture animation software company Move AI, which aims to “democratize 3d animation,” has raised $10 million in a recent seed funding round. The company was founded by Ant Ganjou and Tino Millar.

What is Move AI? Move AI’s technology allows users to capture human motion capture data without markers or suits. According to the company, the mo-cap data is creating through a “proprietary technology that uses advanced AI, computer vision, biomechanics, and physics.”

How does it work? Capture video on your phone, and Move AI automatically extracts the data from the 2d video and turns it into 3d animation data. Early iterations required multiple cameras to achieve results, but Move AI’s new app Move One lets users record the video through their iPhone’s camera. The 3d animation data can then be exported to any number of programs including Blender, Maya, and Unreal Engine, where it can be retargeted onto an existing character. Move One is currently in closed beta. The results can be seen in the video below:

How is this tech going to be used? The founders want to make mo-cap accessible to a wide audience. Co-founder Ant Ganjou once said that Move AI is “designed to reach hundreds of millions of people and to create truly scalable animation.” Millar, the other co-founder, said the company is currently exploring different use cases for the tech, such as working with Warner Music Group (WMG), one of its investors, to “capture historical artists’ motion as well as current artists they have, and then bring that motion into 3d worlds.” In the same interview, Millar also identified another opportunity to use Move AI for sports video games:

Or let’s say for the NBA, instead of using semi-professional athletes who’ve been brought into the studio and their motion is translated in the game, you can use existing camera feeds to capture LeBron James’ true motion. Now, when you’re playing a basketball game, it has LeBron James’ true motion in there, and it comes from his unique motion.

Where did the $10M come from? This round of investors included venture capital firms RKKVC, Play Ventures, and Animoca Brands, as well as the aforementioned WMG. (Note: WMG is not owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.)

How will Move AI use the new funding? The company plans accelerate the development of its 3d animation solutions powered by AI, as well as hire new positions in engineering, research, marketing, and sales.