Interactive Videos with Voice Control | adventr

The Dawn of Interactive Video: Adventr's Voice Control Technology

It’s a familiar scenario – a character in a film makes a questionable decision, and viewers find themselves urging them to choose a different path. What if that character could actually hear those instructions and alter their actions accordingly?

Devo Harris, a Grammy-winning entertainment entrepreneur known for collaborations with artists such as Kanye West and John Legend, is pioneering this possibility with his latest venture, Adventr.

Creating Interactive Experiences

Adventr, initially launched in beta in August 2020, provides a simple, intuitive interface for creating interactive videos. Users can easily construct engaging experiences through a drag-and-drop system.

To date, thousands of individuals have utilized the platform to develop a diverse range of content. These include educational modules focused on space exploration, and promotional materials for prominent luxury brands like Marc Jacobs and LVMH.

A Patented Breakthrough in Voice Control

At TechCrunch Disrupt, Adventr unveiled a groundbreaking feature: a patented voice-control technology. This innovation allows viewers to directly influence the narrative of a video using spoken commands.

The core of this technology lies in its ability to utilize voice recognition to dynamically alter a video’s progression mid-stream. Furthermore, it can integrate with external databases and applications to provide real-time answers and responses to viewer inquiries.

“This isn’t simply about adjusting the volume; it’s about issuing directives like, ‘don’t enter that room,’” explained Harris to TechCrunch. “If we can interact with our televisions and smartphones, why not our videos? Our technology empowers videos to leverage your microphone, understanding and reacting to your preferences in real time. Given that video dominates the internet, we’re essentially enabling video to function like other intelligent devices.”

Potential Applications in E-commerce

While Harris emphasizes the creative foundation of his team – currently comprised of just five members – he foresees significant applications for Adventr within the realm of e-commerce.

He draws a parallel to a scene from the 2002 film “Minority Report,” where Tom Cruise interacts with a holographic assistant at a GAP store, receiving a personalized shopping experience.

A demonstration video showcases the voice-control technology in action. A shopper seeking pajamas at Target can use voice commands such as “show me the green one” or “locate a size large” to refine their search. Selecting a pajama set directs the viewer to Target’s website for purchase, though Harris envisions a future where the entire transaction occurs natively within Adventr.

Subscription Options and a Versatile Tool

Adventr’s tools are accessible through a subscription model. A free plan allows users to explore the platform’s capabilities, while professional ($29/month) and business ($99/month) plans offer expanded features.

Adventr isn’t confined to a single category – e-commerce, education, or entertainment. It functions as a versatile tool that businesses and artists can adapt to a wide array of applications.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LImC8MxHqA

“Consider Adventr as a video-centric API, akin to Twilio combined with Vimeo,” Harris stated. “Users will be able to define specific phrases or keywords that trigger the playback of designated video segments.”

Early Success and Future Growth

Adventr secured a $1 million seed round upon its launch, and has not announced any further funding rounds. However, the startup is already generating revenue through its subscription service.

While specific financial details remain undisclosed, Harris revealed that Adventr’s revenue has experienced an 80-fold increase from the beginning of 2021 to the present, achieved without significant investment in customer acquisition.