News Summary

Odyssey, a startup founded by self-driving pioneers Oliver Cameron and Jeff Hawke, has introduced a groundbreaking AI model that allows users to interact with streaming video, similar to a 3D-rendered video game. This innovative model, currently available as an early demo, generates and streams video frames every 40 milliseconds, enabling users to explore video environments in real-time. The technology is powered by a new world model that predicts the next state of the world based on current conditions and a history of states and actions. Although the demo has some rough edges, with environments appearing blurry and unstable, Odyssey is committed to rapid improvements and expanding the model’s capabilities. The startup’s approach includes using a 360-degree, backpack-mounted camera system to capture real-world landscapes for higher-quality models. Supported by $27 million in funding from investors like EQT Ventures, GV, and Air Street Capital, Odyssey envisions this technology transforming various applications, including entertainment, education, and training.