The augmented reality (AR) acquisition space has become increasingly competitive, with major players like Facebook, Snap, and Apple throwing significant amounts of money at teams and technologies that promise to boost user engagement. Amidst this frenzy, Spektral, a Danish startup, is the latest venture-backed visual effects company to set its sights on the massive AR space.
$2.8 Million in Funding for Spektral
Spektral has announced a $2.8 million funding round led by Litecap and Amp Ventures, which will be used to continue developing its machine learning-powered, real-time green screen technology. This investment is expected to propel the company forward, enabling them to refine their research and development efforts.
A Unique Approach to AR
Unlike most venture-backed startups, Spektral doesn’t have a product in the traditional sense. Instead of focusing on a go-to-market strategy, they’ve been investing heavily in R&D and amassing a portfolio of patents. This approach has allowed them to tackle complex technical challenges head-on.
From Still Frames to Real-Time Video
Initially, Spektral pursued still frames under the name CloudCutout. However, they’re now shifting their focus to real-time video, combining machine learning with spectral graph theory to separate people and objects from their original backgrounds and overlay them in a new stream. This technology has significant potential for implementation in social media platforms like Snapchat or Messenger.
Alternative Use Cases
While it’s easy to envision Spektral’s technology being used in AR applications, the company is actively exploring other use cases, such as production and advertising. They’re working to demonstrate the versatility of their technology by highlighting its potential benefits beyond the realm of social media.
Machine Learning and Spectral Clustering
Spektral’s approach to image segmentation within a video frame involves spectral clustering, which can be added as prior information to augment traditional models. This innovative technique has the potential to pave the way for more complex video editing capabilities in the future.
Object Manipulation and Future Possibilities
The team at Spektral is already thinking about the next steps for their technology. They envision object manipulation, such as moving a person’s hand wave with your own, as a natural progression of their work. This could open up new possibilities for interactive video editing.
Bringing in Domain Experts
To drive growth and innovation, Spektral is welcoming domain experts to its team. Notably, Danny Lange, the head of machine learning at Unity, has joined the startup’s Board of Directors. Lange brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as leader of machine learning efforts at Uber.
The Impact on AR Technology
As Spektral continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with AR technology, they’re likely to have a significant impact on the industry as a whole. Their innovative approach and expertise will undoubtedly influence the development of future AR applications.
A Look Ahead
With this new funding round and the expertise that comes with it, Spektral is poised for growth and success in the AR space. As they continue to refine their technology and explore alternative use cases, we can expect to see exciting developments emerge from this innovative startup.
Related Topics:
- AI
- Apple Inc.
- Augmented Reality
- Computing
- Machine Learning
- Photo Sharing
- Snap Inc.
- Software
- Spektral
- Startups
- Technology
- Venture Capital
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This article has been compiled from various sources, including:
- "Spektral Raises $2.8 Million to Further Develop Its AR Technology"
- "Spektral’s Unique Approach to AR Development"
- "The Future of AR Technology: An Expert Perspective"
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