DeepMotion

DeepMotion, founded in 2014 by Kevin Kaichuan He, is a company focused on motion intelligence, providing AI-powered solutions for 3D animation and motion capture. Based in San Mateo, California, DeepMotion has built a platform that enables creators to generate lifelike digital human motion using AI and physics simulation. The company’s flagship tools, Animate 3D and SayMotion, allow users to create 3D animations from video or text prompts without the need for specialised equipment.
 

DeepMotion’s services are accessible via a web browser and support popular formats such as FBX, BVH, GLB, and MP4. Their motion capture technology can track full-body, hand, and face movements, with the ability to capture up to 8 people from a single video. The platform offers tools for character customisation, including the ability to upload custom FBX, GLB, or VRM models. Additionally, DeepMotion’s technology is compatible with applications in gaming, film, VR/AR, and the metaverse.
 

The company has raised a total of $2.2 million in funding over multiple rounds, with its most recent Series A round in March 2023. Notable investors include BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment and Samsung Venture Investment. DeepMotion also collaborates with well-known brands in the entertainment industry and has a team with experience from companies like Roblox, Blizzard, Disney, and Microsoft.
 

DeepMotion’s mission is to democratise the creation and use of digital human motion, making high-quality animation accessible to all creators. Its platform is continually evolving, with recent updates such as improved motion tracking, multi-person support, and enhanced mobile compatibility. DeepMotion continues to innovate in AI-driven motion capture, offering solutions for diverse industries like game development, film production, and virtual experiences.

DeepMotion was founded in 2014 in the San-Mateo, California area under the leadership of Kevin He, who serves as its CEO. The company’s initial mission was to create tools for motion capture and body tracking that did not require traditional hardware suits or expensive setups, leveraging computer vision, physics simulation and deep-learning techniques.
 

In its early years, the organisation built out a core platform that allowed video input to be converted into full-body, hand, and face-tracked motion, suitable for retargeting onto 3D characters. As the platform matured, the product Animate 3D emerged, enabling creators to upload videos from any device and generate 3D animation, exportable in formats such as FBX, BVH, GLB and MP4. This eliminated the need for specialised motion capture studios. The company emphasised browser-based accessibility, making the tools available to a wider range of users. 
 

Following the launch of Animate 3D, DeepMotion continued to expand its feature set. Over time, it introduced multi-person tracking (up to eight people in one video), mobile compatibility, character upload and customisation (supporting FBX, GLB, VRM), physics filters (foot locking, grounding), face and hand tracking, and exports optimised for engines like Unreal Engine and Unity. The company also introduced a “Free Animation Credit Program” allowing users to earn credits via labelling and correction of animations. 
 

In tandem with the evolution of Animate 3D, DeepMotion developed a generative?AI product called SayMotion, which allowed text prompts (and, in future video prompts) to be converted into 3D animation. This represents a step beyond videos as input, enabling creators to “speak” motion into existence, further lowering the barrier to 3D animation. 

On the business side, DeepMotion has raised funding in multiple rounds, culminating publicly in a “Corporate Minority” investment round in March 2023, with investors including BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment (021 Fund). Total funding is estimated in the low millions (circa US$2.2 m according to one source). 
 

DeepMotion’s mission is to build the largest AI-driven 3D animation platform that makes the creation of digital human motion accessible to all. By leveraging advanced AI, physics simulation, and deep learning technologies, the company empowers creators to generate lifelike 3D animations from video or text prompts, without the need for specialised equipment. The goal is to democratise animation and motion capture, enabling creators across industries such as gaming, film, VR/AR, and the metaverse to bring their digital characters to life in a simpler, more efficient way.

DeepMotion’s vision is to revolutionise the animation industry by making high-quality, AI-generated 3D motion capture available to everyone. The company envisions a future where creators of all levels can easily animate digital humans and virtual characters, using just a video or text input. By bridging the gap between physical and digital motion, DeepMotion aims to empower industries like gaming, entertainment, and virtual worlds, helping users unlock new possibilities in storytelling, design, and interaction. Its mission is to create an accessible, innovative platform that transforms how we create and experience 3D animation.

DeepMotion has gained significant recognition for its groundbreaking work in motion intelligence and AI-powered animation tools. The company’s products have been praised for their ability to simplify complex animation processes, making motion capture accessible without the need for expensive hardware. DeepMotion has partnered with leading industry players such as BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment and Samsung Venture Investment. It has also been recognised for its contributions to the development of generative AI tools for digital humans and virtual creatures, helping to shape the future of animation in gaming, film, and virtual reality applications.

DeepMotion provides innovative AI-powered tools for creating 3D animations and motion capture, aimed at simplifying and automating the animation process. The company’s products cater to creators in various industries, such as gaming, film, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and the metaverse. Below is a detailed look at the main products and services offered by DeepMotion.
 

1. Animate 3D: Animate 3D is DeepMotion’s flagship product, a cloud-based AI motion capture service that converts video footage into 3D animations. This service is designed to be user-friendly, enabling users to generate full-body animations from video or text prompts without needing any special equipment like motion capture suits or complex hardware setups. Animate 3D supports multiple types of tracking, including full-body, hand, and face tracking, and can track up to eight people in a single video. The platform supports various export formats such as FBX, BVH, GLB, and MP4, making it easy to integrate with popular 3D engines and animation software like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Blender.
 

One of the standout features of Animate 3D is its ability to automatically retarget animations to custom 3D characters, which allows creators to bring their unique avatars and models to life without needing to manually adjust the animations. The tool also offers advanced features like foot locking, physics simulation, hand-to-ground contact, and motion smoothing, providing users with greater control and flexibility over their animations.
 

2. SayMotion: SayMotion is an AI-driven service that transforms text prompts into 3D animations. This tool allows creators to generate lifelike animations by simply typing a text description, removing the need for traditional video input or specialised equipment. SayMotion uses DeepMotion’s AI technology to interpret text and create motion, enabling users to craft unique animations for characters in games, films, or VR/AR environments.

SayMotion is designed to be accessible to creators at all levels, providing an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. The tool also offers a feature called Inpainting, which leverages generative AI to extend, blend, or add new elements to existing animations. This service is particularly useful for creating dynamic visual storytelling, as it allows for the creation of custom, AI-fused animations based on the user's needs.
 

3. Animate 3D API and SDKs- For developers looking to integrate AI-powered motion capture into their own applications, DeepMotion offers the Animate 3D API and real-time SDKs. These tools enable developers to bring lifelike human animations into their platforms, such as games, VR experiences, and virtual worlds. The API allows for seamless integration of DeepMotion’s motion capture capabilities, while the SDKs provide a lightweight version of Animate 3D for real-time use. These tools are ideal for applications that require fast, accurate motion tracking and animation, providing a more immersive experience for users.
 

4. Custom Character Support and Integration- DeepMotion allows users to upload custom characters to Animate 3D, which can be animated using the platform’s motion capture technology. Users can upload 3D models in formats like FBX, GLB, and VRM, and the system will automatically retarget the animations to match the uploaded character. This feature is particularly valuable for game developers and VR/AR creators who want to bring their own unique characters into digital worlds. DeepMotion also offers compatibility with various external platforms, such as Ready Player Me and VRoid, allowing for easy integration with existing workflows.
 

5. Animation Credits Program- To make animation creation more affordable, DeepMotion offers an Animation Credits Program. Users can earn credits by labelling and correcting animations using the Rotoscope Pose Editor. These credits can be used to process animations, providing a way for creators to maximise the value of their subscriptions while engaging with the platform’s tools. The program also supports the creation of high-quality animations without the need for continuous payment for credits.
 

6. Subscription Plans- DeepMotion offers a range of subscription plans to suit different user needs, from individual creators to large enterprises. The plans vary in terms of animation credits, export options, video length, and additional features such as job priority and access to commercial licences. The Freemium plan is ideal for new users who want to try out the platform, while higher-tier plans provide more extensive features for professional animators, game developers, and studios.
 

7. Partner Integration- DeepMotion collaborates with leading industry players, such as BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, to provide cutting-edge motion capture solutions. These partnerships help DeepMotion expand its reach and continuously improve its technology, ensuring that users have access to the latest advancements in animation and motion capture.