“Like what the iPhone did for photography, we believe Cartwheel will do for animation,” said Cartwheel co-founders

“Like what the iPhone did for photography, we believe Cartwheel will do for animation,” said Jonathan Jarvis and Andrew Carr, Cartwheel’s Co-founders

Cartwheel has launched its highly publicized set of 3D animation tools powered by AI, a revolutionary milestone for digital storytelling. Following a closed beta attracting more than 60,000 creatives keen to trial its functionalities, the firm is now releasing its technology to the wider world, providing experts and novices alike with an efficient, easy-to-use method of animation.

AI in Animation

Through removing technical obstacles, the business allows users to concentrate solely on story and performance, animating more quickly, more easily, and more cheaply than they ever have.

Essentially, Cartwheel is on a quest to bring animation to the masses. Co-founders Jonathan Jarvis and Andrew Carr think the platform will do for animation what the iPhone did for photography by eliminating obstacles and placing highly capable creative tools in users’ hands. Their AI system converts video, text, and motion libraries into fully editable, production-ready 3D animations that fit smoothly into existing workflows.

Unlike other disruptive generative technologies that upset conventional animation workflows, Cartwheel is an add-on to industry-standard software enabling animators to quickly prototype concepts, iterate on motion, and keep full agency over their final result.

Its technological innovation and novel solution have attracted industry players from major animation and gaming studios. 

Industry Veterans In Animation Space

Andrew Carr, the company’s Chief Scientist, came from OpenAI, where he helped create code generation for Codex and ChatGPT. Jonathan Jarvis, CEO of Cartwheel, was a member of the founding team of Google Creative Lab, where he oversaw animation and creative initiatives for Google Brain, Search, Android, and Workspaces. The firm also hired experienced talent from Riot Games, Sony, and Unity, as well as Pixar animators Catherine Hicks and Neil Helm, both of whom contributed to high-profile productions like Toy Story, Inside Out, and Lightyear.

Investors have noticed Cartwheel’s potential to revolutionize animation, as it raises a new $10 million funding round from Craft Ventures, with support also from Jeffrey Katzenberg’s WndrCo, Ben Feder’s Tirta Ventures, and Runway2. This newest round adds to the company’s cumulative funding of $15.6 million, which will go toward continuing to train its AI motion models, growing its team, and accelerating marketing efforts. 

Investors view Cartwheel as an industry-changing force, with Craft Ventures’ Lainy Painter Singh commenting that the company will enable animators to stretch the boundaries of what is possible, and Tirta Ventures’ Ben Feder highlighting the way Cartwheel is fundamentally transforming animation by allowing for quicker, more effective storytelling.

Future Of Digital Storytelling

Cartwheel’s debut at this tipping point when independent game makers and animators are looking for affordable methods of making top-quality animations without the limitations of legacy tools. To prove its viability, the company collaborated with large-scale creative teams from DreamWorks, Duolingo, Sony, and Roblox through its closed beta stage, showcasing that its tools smoothly fit into professional workflows. The users stated that Cartwheel provides fresh methods to try things, make changes, and create animations with unparalleled speed, and it’s a must-have for today’s creators.

The company intends to add a lot more features and tools for the platform.

The future of animation is changing rapidly, and Cartwheel is setting the pace. By eliminating technical obstacles and providing a robust suite of AI-enabled tools, the company is allowing artists to control their own destinies. Whether for video games, movies, commercials, or social media, the company is opening up new doors in digital storytelling, animating more dynamically, efficiently, and affordably for a next-generation creator.