Slapshot launches Autopilot AI system for automated rotoscoping

Slapshot has launched Autopilot, an AI system that automatically rotoscopes every layer in a shot.

Autopilot is capable of processing hundreds of shots per day and is available both through the platform and via enterprise API.

The launch of Autopilot follows Slapshot’s suite of AI-powered post-production software launched last year.

Slapshot co founder & CEO Jon Mason said: “Autopilot takes a shot as input, rotoscoping those layers across the full duration of the shot, and exporting the results as a fully organised cryptomatte. It is able to track objects consistently over time, and handles complex motion, occlusion, and lighting changes with ease.”

Autopilot is designed to enable faster starts to the post-production process and “in the right situations”, final rotoscoping, says Slapshot.

“Autopilot is an exciting addition to our AI VFX toolkit, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the industry.” adds Mason. “Mounting pressure due to tighter budgets, faster delivery timelines, growing content volumes and smaller teams mean studios face the challenge of delivering quality visuals at a fraction of the cost / delivery time. We are dedicated to developing tools that allow the creative process to remain unhindered”

The system has already been in early access with select studios and vendors and is currently being used on large-scale productions.

Teams typically see days or weeks saved at the start of post-production, says Slapshot.

Mason adds: “Autopilot’s unmanned AI roto pass across an entire project allows productions to iterate faster, explore more versions, and ultimately tell better stories. Autopilot represents a major expansion of what the technology can do.

“It shifts roto from a manual task to an automated first step. Without Autopilot, every time you need roto, you’re starting from scratch. With Autopilot, roto is already there when you need it. Nothing has ever been done like it.”