Datagrid has lured capital from University of Tokyo's VC spinout Deep 30 as it prepares for the imminent launch of a game based on its deep learning-powered technology.
Japan-based fantasy celebrity avatar platform Datagrid has obtained ¥15m ($135,000) in a round featuring Deep 30, the deep learning-focused VC firm spun out from University of Tokyo, TechCrunch reported yesterday.
Founded in 2017, Datagrid has devised an automated image generator powered by its deep learning neural network that creates an “artificial gene” representing the user’s physical features, combining them with attributes learned from popular celebrities to produce glamorous high-resolution avatars.
Each avatar has a defined appearance as well as vocals based on technology provided by voice generation startup Orz, enabling them to be used in a game called Gene AIdols scheduled for release in spring 2019. There are also plans to adapt Gene AIdols for virtual reality systems.
Datagrid hopes eventually to apply its deep learning technology for other content creation purposes. It previously built an automated image generator for Japanese anime-style cartoon characters.
Details of the company’s earlier funding could not be ascertained, however it was incubated at Kyoto University’s Venture Incubation Center, according to SoraNews24.
– Image courtesy of Gene AIdols
