Odyssey, a startup led by CEO Oliver Cameron, has made a groundbreaking announcement in the world of AI. The company has launched Explorer, a generative world model that can transform text or images into detailed 3D worlds. Along with this product launch, Odyssey has also shared that Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, has joined their board and invested in the company. This is a major development for Odyssey, as Catmull brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in the field of storytelling and technology.
Cameron has expressed his excitement about Catmull joining the board, stating that his belief in the importance of story shaping technology aligns perfectly with Odyssey’s focus on generative world models. Explorer, the company’s latest product, is an image-to-world model that is capable of creating photorealistic 3D environments. It uses Gaussian splats, a technique that is gaining popularity among vision researchers for its ability to represent highly detailed 3D scenes. These splats are compatible with industry-standard tools, making it easy for artists to integrate them into their work.
According to Odyssey, generative world models like Explorer have the potential to significantly accelerate the creation of film and gaming-compatible worlds, and even open up new forms of entertainment. The company has already tested Explorer’s capabilities at Garden Studios in London, and the results were impressive. Cameron believes that this is just the beginning, and that a brand new medium is being created as we speak.
To further support their mission, Odyssey has invited collaborators to apply for access to Explorer through their website. This move is expected to bring in fresh perspectives and ideas, and help the company push the boundaries of what is possible with generative world models. In addition, Catmull’s presence on the board is expected to provide strategic guidance as Odyssey navigates this emerging frontier.
Founded in 2023 by Cameron and Jeff Hawke, Odyssey has been operating in stealth mode for almost a year before emerging with this major announcement. The company focuses on building cinematic worlds and visual effects for the film and gaming industries, and has already raised a total of $27 million to support its goals. This includes a $9 million seed funding round from GV, DCVC, Air Street Capital, and individual investors, followed by an $18 million Series A round led by EQT Ventures.
With the launch of Explorer and the addition of Catmull to their board, Odyssey is well-positioned to revolutionize the world of 3D worlds with AI. As Cameron puts it, “We are witnessing the birth of a brand new medium, and Odyssey is at the forefront of this exciting journey.”
