Kyber’s Real-Time Robot Control Infrastructure
Jean-Baptiste Kempf, the lead developer of VLC Media Player, is now building an infrastructure layer for controlling remote devices in real time. His startup, Kyber, has raised a $5 million round led by Lightspeed, which has also backed Anthropic and Mistral AI. This investment is a strong signal of the growing importance of physical AI, and Kyber’s potential to play a key role in this space. The company’s core software is an SDK that synchronizes video, audio, sensor data, and control inputs with minimal latency, which is critical for real-time control of robots and drones.
Kyber’s approach to eliminating lag is rooted firmly in video-streaming technology, which is no surprise given Kempf’s background in building VLC Media Player. However, IoT expertise is also crucial for optimization, as the company needs to tune performance to a device’s available compute at scale. This is particularly important for managing large fleets of devices, where even small delays can add up quickly. Kempf notes that other companies have already built similar software for their own use cases, but Kyber is focused on building a scalable solution that can handle millions of devices.
The stakes are high for Kyber, as the company is not only building a platform for real-time control but also for observability. As AI agents take over the management of entire fleets and networks, it will be critical to know that systems are actually working. Even at smaller scales, Kyber’s platform can provide significant benefits, such as not needing to physically reach every device just to push a software update.
Kyber’s Business Model and Market Opportunity
Kyber’s business model is centered around its open-source core project, which is available for free. However, the company also sells a productized version to enterprise customers, which includes hands-on, custom deployment through forward-deployed engineers. This approach allows Kyber to generate revenue while still providing a free version of its platform to a wider audience. The company has already seen strong demand from customers in defense, telco, robotics, and AI, and is prioritizing three segments: robotics, drones, and remote IT access.
Kyber’s market opportunity is significant, particularly in the remote IT access segment. The company is positioning itself as a challenger to Citrix, which has a large and established customer base. However, Kyber’s focus on real-time control and observability could provide a significant advantage, particularly in industries where latency and reliability are critical. The company’s careers page hints at the potential for growth, with a focus on building a solution that can be used by everyone, rather than just a select few.
Kyber’s decision to prioritize remote IT access is also a strategic one, as this segment has seen strong demand and is likely to continue growing. The company’s ability to provide real-time control and observability could make it an attractive solution for companies looking to manage large fleets of devices remotely. However, it will be critical for Kyber to execute on its vision and deliver a scalable and reliable platform that meets the needs of its customers.
The Winners and Losers in Kyber’s Ecosystem
Kyber’s platform is likely to have a significant impact on the robotics and drone industries, where real-time control and observability are critical. Companies that are able to leverage Kyber’s platform to improve their operations and reduce latency are likely to be winners in this space. However, companies that are unable to adapt to the changing landscape and provide similar levels of control and observability may find themselves at a disadvantage.
In the remote IT access segment, Kyber is likely to disrupt the established players, such as Citrix. However, this could also create opportunities for new entrants that are able to provide similar levels of control and observability. The company’s focus on open-source and scalability could also make it an attractive solution for companies looking to manage large fleets of devices remotely.
The losers in Kyber’s ecosystem are likely to be companies that are unable to adapt to the changing landscape and provide similar levels of control and observability. This could include companies that are heavily invested in traditional remote access solutions and are unable to pivot to real-time control and observability.
The Skeptical Case Against Kyber
One of the main concerns about Kyber is that its platform may not be able to scale to meet the demands of large fleets of devices. While the company has demonstrated its ability to handle small-scale deployments, it remains to be seen whether its platform can handle the complexity and latency of large-scale deployments. Additionally, the company’s focus on open-source may make it difficult to generate revenue and sustain its business model.
Another concern is that Kyber’s platform may not be able to provide the same level of security and reliability as traditional remote access solutions. While the company has demonstrated its ability to provide real-time control and observability, it remains to be seen whether its platform can meet the security and reliability requirements of large enterprises.
The Signal to Watch Next
The next signal to watch is Kyber’s ability to scale its platform to meet the demands of large fleets of devices. The company has already demonstrated its ability to handle small-scale deployments, but it remains to be seen whether its platform can handle the complexity and latency of large-scale deployments. If Kyber is able to successfully scale its platform, it could be a major signal of its potential for growth and success.
Another signal to watch is Kyber’s ability to generate revenue and sustain its business model. While the company has demonstrated its ability to provide real-time control and observability, it remains to be seen whether its platform can generate significant revenue and sustain its business model. If Kyber is able to successfully generate revenue and sustain its business model, it could be a major signal of its potential for growth and success.
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By Priya Nair, AI & Startup Reporter at TrendFlashy
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