Janus

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Janus is a browser-based real-time avatar streaming platform (SaaS category) that uses AI-driven facial motion capture to transform users into digital characters during live video streams.
2. Core Value Proposition: It eliminates hardware/software barriers for content creators and professionals needing instant, low-cost identity transformation across platforms like Zoom, Discord, and Twitch via real-time face swap technology.

Main Features

1. Zero-Hardware Avatar Streaming: Operates entirely via webcam input using lightweight neural networks for facial landmark detection. The system maps 68+ facial points to animate avatars with <200ms latency, requiring no GPUs or external devices.
2. Cross-Platform Integration: Patches video feeds through a Chrome extension (WebRTC manipulation) or OBS virtual camera, enabling avatar use in Discord, Google Meet, Zoom, Twitch, and YouTube without platform-specific setups.
3. Custom Avatar Builder: Generates characters via parametric modeling (adjusting sliders for features/skin tones) or imports 3D models (GLB/GLTF format), with automatic rigging for real-time lip-sync and expression mirroring via viseme analysis.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: High-cost, complex avatar solutions (e.g., VTubing setups needing $500+ motion capture gear) inaccessible to casual users.
2. Target Audience:
   • Content creators streaming on Twitch/YouTube seeking anonymity or brand characters
   • Remote professionals needing engaging virtual meeting personas
   • Indie game developers prototyping character animations
3. Use Cases:
   • Replacing physical webcams with branded mascots during Discord community events
   • Streamers using copyrighted characters (e.g., game/movie IPs) without revealing identity
   • Corporate trainers delivering sessions as animated instructors via Zoom

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike cloud-based competitors (e.g., Loomie), Janus processes video locally via WebAssembly for reduced latency and privacy, while offering 4x cheaper subscriptions than enterprise tools like FaceRig.
2. Key Innovation: Proprietary "viseme-blending" algorithm that interpolates between 15+ mouth shapes using only 2MB of RAM, enabling smooth lip-sync on low-end devices without dedicated GPUs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does Janus work on mobile devices? Yes, Janus supports Android/iOS browsers through WebRTC, with touch-based expression controls for avatar animation.
2. What’s the latency for real-time face swapping? Expect 120-180ms delay using Chrome/Firefox, tested under 15Mbps internet with 720p webcams.
3. Can I use custom 3D models with Janus? Yes, import rigged GLB files (under 5MB) with blend shapes for eye/mouth movement via the web dashboard.
4. Is Janus compatible with OBS Studio? Absolutely—select "Janus Virtual Camera" in OBS sources for direct streaming to Twitch/YouTube without extra plugins.
5. How does Janus handle privacy during video processing? All face data processes locally; no biometric data leaves your device, complying with GDPR/CCPA standards.