KDDI, palan, and Pixelynx join forces for new music XR experience driven by AI

KDDI, palan, and Pixelynx have announced a partnership to integrate their generative AI, cloud and XR technologies into one another’s products to enhance Pixelynx’s AI music platform KORUS (powered by KOR Protocol), KDDI’s αU on cloud, and palan’s AR creation platform palanAR. With KDDI’s approximately 75 million registered mobile subscribers, primarily under the “au” brand, the combined strengths of the three companies will create a new, immersive music XR experience for their users. 

The partnership aims to allow users to quickly generate high-quality music AI and XR experiences without coding knowledge while lowering the barrier to creating AR content and allowing creators to create high-quality content built on authenticated AI through the KOR Protocol, an entertainment IP infrastructure. 

What is Pixelynx’s KORUS? 

Pixelynx was co-founded by industry executives, DJs and producers such as deadmau5, Richie Hawtin, Inder Phull, Ben Turner and Dean Wilson in 2020 and later acquired by global Web3 company Animoca Brands in December 2022. The company is developing KORUS on KOR Protocol to allow users to create and remix music through the KOR AI engine and a growing suite of decentralised IP management tools. 

The KORUS platform is now linked to KDDI’s αU on cloud and palanAR to allow creators to easily incorporate authenticated AI and rights-cleared music into mixed-reality and AR experiences, potentially unlocking doors to new forms of content distribution in the future. 

What is KDDI’s αU on cloud? 

KDDI’s API service αU on cloud can be incorporated into Web3 products and services to enhance their functions (such as generative AI linked to Google’s “Gemini model”). For example, αU on cloud can enhance a shopping experience by generatings a try-on image from a single clothing image. 

With KORUS’s music generative AI technology, αU on cloud users can also generate live music and videos in real-time to further enhance their user experience.

What is palan AR? 

palan was founded in 2016 as a startup specialising in AR. Its palanAR allows users to create WebAR without any necessary coding. palan is also home to a host of other products, such as ‘TOBIRA,’ an AR camera, ‘palan3D,’ a 3D management and editing service; and ‘WebXR Commerce,’ a service that allows users to experience stores in their browsers virtually. 

The partnership facilitates the integration of Pixelynx’s Korus into palanAR through KDDI’s αU on cloud service, introducing AI music functionality to palanAR users. 

Management commentary 

Inder Phull, co-founder and CEO of Pixelynx, said: “We’re a company for artists, by artists, focused on protecting creators and unlocking new forms of expression. We are developing KORUS and the underlying KOR Protocol as a tool for artists and intellectual property rights holders to grow their IP in new ways whilst providing them with the protection and transparency needed to monetise effectively. Reaching millions of users through the KDDI ecosystem is just the start and we have many more integrations coming over the year that will help unlock new business models for the entertainment industry through AI and blockchain.”

Nozomi Shimogiri, Business Development Manager at KDDI Corporation, said: “Producing XR content is inherently difficult as creators must prepare many materials themselves. Although 3D characters and models can be prepared relatively easily, preparing the background images and various other materials is a challenge, especially when it comes to music, as finding and customising the right one is key. Through this collaboration, we can easily overcome these hurdles.” 

Eiji Saito, CEO of palan, said: “We are trying to create an environment where people worldwide can express themselves using AR, and that content can be viewed worldwide. We want to strengthen this. As one use case, we would like to expand its use for tourism. To that end, lowering the barriers for local governments and general creators to create AR content is important. We hope this partnership can help further lower this barrier by making generative AI technology easily accessible for our users.” 

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About KDDI 

KDDI Corporation is a leading Japanese telecommunications company, established in 2000 and known for its “au” mobile brand. It offers a wide range of services, including fixed-line, internet, and data communication solutions. Committed to innovation, KDDI leverages technologies like 5G and IoT to enhance connectivity and improve quality of life. With a focus on customer satisfaction and corporate responsibility, KDDI strives to meet the evolving needs of its diverse customer base in Japan and globally. 

About palan 

Palan Company, founded in 2017, is a Japanese technology firm specialising in blockchain solutions and software development. We are dedicated to bridging the gap between advanced technologies and real-world applications, enhancing business operations across various industries. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, Palan leverages its expertise to deliver high-quality products and services that drive digital transformation and meet the evolving needs of our clients. 

About Pixelynx 

PIXELYNX was founded in 2020 by iconic musicians and technologists Joel Zimmerman aka deadmau5, Richie Hawtin aka Plastikman, and music industry visionaries Ben Turner (Graphite; IMS: International Music Summit; AFEM: Association for Electronic Music), Dean Wilson (Seven20 Entertainment; mau5trap), and Inder Phull, a music metaverse futurist. The company, based in London and Los Angeles, is focused on building a music metaverse ecosystem that will transform the way artists connect and engage with their fans through gaming experiences. For more information visit https://pixelynx.io.