He made your free video player run smoothly. Now he’s doing that for robots.
"Robots will soon roam streets, posing control challenges. Kempf's solution is gaining traction."
Jean-Baptiste Kempf, lead developer of VLC Media Player, is now focusing on Kyber, a startup that aims to control remote devices in real time. Based in Paris, Kyber has already raised $5 million from Lightspeed to develop its infrastructure layer. Kempf's vision is driven by the conviction that hundreds of millions of robots and drones will be ubiquitous in a few years, requiring efficient control systems.
Kempf's experience with VLC Media Player, which has been downloaded over 6 billion times, has given him a unique understanding of the importance of minimal latency in video and audio streaming. He is now applying this expertise to Kyber, which provides an SDK that synchronizes video, audio, sensor data, and control inputs with minimal latency. This technology has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including robotics, drones, and remote IT access.
The rise of physical AI is a key factor in Kyber's development. According to Lightspeed, "physical AI is only as good as the underlying systems running it." Kempf's platform is built to address this challenge, enabling the control of remote devices in real time. The potential applications of Kyber's technology extend beyond AI, however, and can be used in any scenario where the operator is not in the same location as the device being controlled.
Kempf's approach to eliminating lag is rooted in video-streaming technology, which he believes is essential for controlling devices in the real world. "If you control things in the real world, every millisecond matters," he said. Kyber's technology is designed to optimize performance, taking into account the available compute power of each device. This is particularly important when managing large fleets of devices, where scalability and observability are crucial.
The company's core project is open source, while a productized version is sold to enterprise customers. Kyber also offers custom deployment through forward-deployed engineers, who make up a significant part of the company's 25 full-time staff. With offices in Paris, San Francisco, and Singapore, Kyber is well-positioned to support a global client base across various industries.
Kempf's vision for Kyber is ambitious, with a focus on three key segments: robotics, drones, and remote IT access. The company is already in commercial deployment with customers in defense, telco, robotics, and AI. As the demand for remote device control continues to grow, Kyber is well-placed to become a leading player in this field. With its unique approach to latency and scalability, Kyber's technology has the potential to transform industries and enable the efficient control of millions of devices.
The implications of Kyber's technology are far-reaching. As robots and drones become increasingly ubiquitous, the need for efficient control systems will become more pressing. Kempf's solution has the potential to enable the widespread adoption of these technologies, transforming industries such as logistics, healthcare, and transportation. Moreover, Kyber's focus on observability and scalability will be essential in ensuring that these systems operate reliably and securely.
In the context of the broader technology landscape, Kyber's development is significant. The company's use of video-streaming technology to control remote devices is a novel approach that highlights the importance of interdisciplinary innovation. Furthermore, Kyber's commitment to open-source development and custom deployment reflects a growing trend towards collaborative and flexible solutions in the tech industry.
As Kyber continues to grow and develop its technology, it is likely to face challenges and opportunities in equal measure. The company will need to navigate complex regulatory environments, address security concerns, and balance the needs of its diverse client base. However, with Kempf's vision and expertise at the helm, Kyber is well-placed to overcome these challenges and become a leading player in the field of remote device control. Ultimately, the success of Kyber's technology will depend on its ability to deliver efficient, scalable, and secure solutions that meet the needs of its clients and enable the widespread adoption of robots and drones.
