IKinema released this video yesterday at SIGGRAPH demonstrating a new concept in animation that will enable anyone to create animation using descriptive commands based on everyday language.
“The idea is very simple,” said IKinema chief executive Alexandre Pechev. “Imagine being able to drive the actions of your favorite animation hero in real time using simple written or voice commands such as ‘walk, turn left and then run to the red chair.’ IKinema is turning that dream into reality.”
The technology, currently in prototype, is part of a two-year project code-named INTiMATE that is backed by the U.K. government’s Innovate U.K. program.
“We’ve developed an innovative way to convert libraries of animation in to a run-time rig using a natural language interface,” explained Pechev. “The result is a seamless transition from one animation to another just by using normal, everyday words.”
Although the technology is aimed at a mass audience, INTiMATE has several potential professional applications, spanning pre-production, games, virtual production, architecture, training and simulation, as well as virtual and augmented reality.
Virtual reality technology such as Magic Leap and Microsoft HoloLens is fueling the demand for advanced ways of producing animation. At the same time, the expectation is for these new methods to be simple enough for a mass audience to use. “What is simpler than using natural language and speech?” said Pechev. “INTiMATE is so easy to use, anyone can bring in a character and animate from a vast library of cloud animation just by describing what they want their character to do. IKinema just seamlessly blends one action with another to generate smooth and continuous motion in the virtual world and then adapts the action to the environment.”
The technology is expected to become commercially available in 2016 and the aim is to make SDKs available for any animation package. Currently, the company has a working prototype and has engaged with studios for research and development.
