vidby

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vidby AG
Company typeAktiengesellschaft
IndustryTechnology
PredecessorDROTR (Droid Translator)
Founded2021; 3 years ago (2021) in Rotkreuz
FounderAlexander Konovalov, Eugen von Rubinberg
Headquarters
Rotkreuz (canton of Zug)
,
Switzerland
Websitehttps://vidby.com/

vidby AG (stylized in lower-case) is aa multi-product IT company based in Rotkreuz, Switzerland specializing in the development of AI-powered translation solutions. Founded by Alexander Konovalov [uk] and Eugen von Rubinberg in September 2021, the company has garnered attention, especially after gaining the YouTube’s Recommended Vendor status for AI-powered content localization for its video translation and dubbing platform.[1][2][3][4][5]

History[edit]

vidby AG was founded by Alexander Konovalov and Eugen von Rubinberg.[6] Konovalov is a native of Ukraine[7] and retains Ukrainian citizenship; Rubinberg came to Switzerland from Germany and holds German citizenship. Both are residents of Switzerland.[8] The latter founded his first business, a trading company, at age 16.[9]

In 2013, the business partners launched a consumer-oriented video-call translation service called DROTR (Droid Translator) AG, utilizing a Konovalov-created AI-powered language translation technology enabling simultaneous translation of messages, voice and video calls in 104 languages (written), with 44 available in spoken form.[10][11] This was the world's first video calling app with translation.[12][13] The technology was pronounced a competitor of Skype and Viber by Forbes and claimed first prize at the "Innovative Breakthrough 2013" Competition.[14][15]

In 2021, with a new business-oriented focus, DROTR became vidby, with the former Google technology partners Konovalov and Rubinberg remaining at the helm, each with the title Co-CEO.[16] While headquartered in Switzerland, vidby's development team is, according to the company's founders, based in Ukraine.[17] The technology behind vidby has an accuracy level variously reported as up to 99 percent or 99 to 100 percent, equalling the highest level of human translation.[18][19][20] Advanced dubbing features like lip synch, voice cloning and other useful editing tools are available within the platform.[21] Currently, some 70 languages plus 60 dialects are possible with the algorithm-based technology.[22]

Vidby formulated its own ethical code dedicated to the responsible use of AI technology, encouraging other industry players to adopt a collective commitment to the ethical and responsible implementation of AI in translation and dubbing processes.[23]

Products and solutions[edit]

The company has coined the term "Technologies of Understanding" as part of its unique approach. Having begun with the voice-to-voice video translation tool, vidby is continually developing an array of innovative solutions aimed at facilitating global communication. The product list also encompasses document translation, as well as simultaneous translation solutions for offline and online meetings, and live broadcasts.

Vidby Video Translation – the company’s flagship product - AI-powered platform for fast and accurate video translation and dubbing.[24] Recommended by YouTube. Free plan is available. YouTube included it in the list of recommended dubbing providers for content localization. Vidby became a Google Cloud Trusted Partner, and received Microsoft SaaS certification.[25][26][27]

Vidby Document Translation – AI-powered solution for online translation of documents into 100+ languages.

Vidby MeetUp – an AI application for live translation of offline/online meetings & live broadcasts. Download from App Store / Google Play.

Vidby Call Translator – a real-time translation solution for online meetings. It synchronizes with Google Meet. Zoom and Microsoft Teams are upcoming. The solution supports multiple participants and about 140 languages and dialects.

YouTube Audio Tracks Detector by vidby is a free extension that sends users notifications when new videos and/or audio tracks in chosen languages are added to their favorite YouTube channels.

Vidby Video Investment Platform - a platform where investors and content creators come together to craft captivating projects and bring ambitious ideas to life.

Vidby Workspace - vidby’s marketplace and working platform for freelance language professionals (transcribers, translators, pre-editors, post-editors) and dubbing actors.  

Notable use[edit]

In addition to its use with speeches delivered by Pope Francis,[28] the technology has been provided to Ukrainian authorities and embassies during the ongoing military conflict with Russia free of remuneration.[29] By July, 2022, some 70 speeches given by President Zelenskyy totalling 650 minutes had been translated into 30 languages, for a total of over 10,000 minutes of video material.[30] Of its use in translating Zelenskyy's wartime speeches, Konovalov has said, "Like any citizen, I want to help defend my country."[31]

Notable corporate clients of vidby include Samsung, Siemens, Cisco, Kärcher, Generali and McDonald's Corporation; an academic client is Harvard University.[32][33][34][35][36]

Google Cloud Technology Partner status of vidby was confirmed officially after a 6-month audit in December 2022.[37]

At the end of February 2023, after the launch of YouTube’s multilingual audio feature, creators started actively using vidby’s AI-powered video translation and dubbing tool for this new type of channels.[38]  Vidby translated YouFact Tech, a popular YouTube channel, into 35 languages.[39][40]

Accolades[edit]

  • vidby headed a list of the five best video translation services as named by TechRadar Deutschland in September, 2022.[41]
  • In September 2022, Tech Times named vidby #1 in their list of the five best such services.[42]
  • In October, 2022 it topped a list of the five best content translation technologies as judged by European Business Review .[43] Prior to these lead-position rankings (August, 2022), it was featured as Business Insider's special start-up recommendation (German: "Unser Lesetipp auf Gründerszene").[44]
  • In 2023, YouTube recognized vidby as its recommended vendor.[45]
  • In September 2023, vidby received Microsoft SaaS certification and became available in its marketplace.[46]
  • In December 2023, vidby became available on Google Cloud Marketplace.[47]

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "YouTube Names vidby as the Recommended Vendor for AI-Powered Content Localization". Yahoo Finance. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  2. ^ Field, Anne. "Ukraine Startup Translates Videos For Zelensky, While Adjusting To Work In A War Zone". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  3. ^ "Selenskyj-Reden: Schweizer Start-up übersetzt verblüffend genau - WELT". DIE WELT (in German). 2022-08-07. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  4. ^ Hüfner, Daniel (2022-08-16). "99 Prozent Genauigkeit: Wie ein Schweizer Startup Selenskyjs Reden übersetzt". Business Insider (in German). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  5. ^ Butcher, Mike (2024-02-23). "Two years since Russia's invasion, Ukraine's startups soldier on". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  6. ^ "Swiss Startup Vidby.com Helps Achieve Up to 99% Accuracy in Video Translation Thanks to Artificial Intelligence". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  7. ^ ausweis.io, "Alexander Konovalov", December 12, 2020
  8. ^ Central Business Name Index (Switzerland), "vidby AG" (English and German text)
  9. ^ oe24, "Neuer Messenger greift WhatsApp an" (German text), staff writers, May 18, 2017
  10. ^ Chip.de, "Wie im Science-Fiction-Film: Gratis-Tool lässt Sie in fremden Sprachen telefonieren", Karsten Bunz, November 24, 2017
  11. ^ Blick, "Schweizer App Drotr übersetzt 104 Sprachen" (German text), Lorenz Keller, April 12, 2017 (updated October 10, 2018)
  12. ^ Forbes, "Startups YouGiver And Prsnt Unwrap Shiny New Social Gifting Concepts", Kevin Razario, Dec 17, 2021,
  13. ^ Kyiv Post, "Ukrainian company’s translation app to help transcend language barriers", Isabel Douglas-Hamilton, July 18, 2013
  14. ^ ausweis.io, "Alexander Konovalov", December 12, 2020
  15. ^ Encyclopedia of Safety, "Ukrainian created a rival Skype and Viber", A. Prohanov, October 18, 2013
  16. ^ vidby.com, "Team Leitung" (German text)
  17. ^ Tech Company News, "Vidby Helps You Translate Any Video Or Audio File Into 70+ Languages", staff writers, May 10, 2022
  18. ^ Tech Times, "How AI-powered Speech Translation Will Shape the Future of Video Content", David Thompson, June 07, 2022
  19. ^ Wirtschaftsforum, "Übersetzungsplattform vidby - Vorteile von KI und Videoübersetzung für die Wirtschaft" (German text), staff writers, November 24, 2022
  20. ^ Cloudmagazin, "Cloudbasierte Übersetzungsprogramme für Videoinhalte" (German text), staff writers, November 23, 2022
  21. ^ Moneycab, "Dubbing Anbieter im Vergleich, oder wie übersetze ich ein Video in viele Sprachen?" (German text), staff writers, December 09, 2022,
  22. ^ Moneycab, "vidby: Ein neuer globaler Markt entsteht aus dem Herzen der mehrsprachigen Schweiz heraus" (German text), staff writers, May 31, 2022
  23. ^ "Swiss AI dubbing startup initiates ethical code of artificial intelligence use in translations | MultiLingual". multilingual.com. 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  24. ^ "AI Video Translator: Free Online Video Translation with vidby". vidby.com. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  25. ^ "Third-party tools and services - YouTube Help". support.google.com. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  26. ^ "vidby". cloud.google.com. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  27. ^ "Microsoft Azure Marketplace". azuremarketplace.microsoft.com (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  28. ^ Die Tagespost, "Start-up „Vidby“: Sie lassen Papst in 70 Sprachen sprechen" (German text), Stefan Ahrens, September 08, 2022
  29. ^ Scinexx, "Videoübersetzung von vidby und Co.: KI hat das Zeug zum Gamechanger" (German text), staff writers, November 22, 2022
  30. ^ t3n.de, "KI eines Schweizer Startups übersetzt Selenskyj-Reden in bis zu 30 Sprachen" (German text), Jörn Brien, August 10, 2022
  31. ^ Forbes, "Ukraine Startup Translates Videos For Zelensky, While Adjusting To Work In A War Zone", Anne Field, July 29, 2022
  32. ^ Die Welt, "Unser patriotischer Beitrag: Schweizer Start-up übersetzt Selenskyj-Reden kostenlos" (German text), Thomas Heuzeroth, August 07, 2022
  33. ^ t3n.de, "KI eines Schweizer Startups übersetzt Selenskyj-Reden in bis zu 30 Sprachen" (German text), Jörn Brien, August 10, 2022
  34. ^ Global News Wire, "Swiss Startup Vidby.com Helps Achieve Up to 99% Accuracy in Video Translation Thanks to Artificial Intelligence", May 03, 2022
  35. ^ Wirtschaftsforum, "Übersetzungsplattform vidby - Vorteile von KI und Videoübersetzung für die Wirtschaft" (German text), staff writers, November 24, 2022
  36. ^ Finance Magnates, "Harvard University Hires Swiss AI Firm Vidby to Translate Training Videos", James Clifford, December 12, 2022
  37. ^ "Vidby AG". cloud.google.com. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  38. ^ "Say hello to multi-language audio on YouTube". Google. 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  39. ^ "YouFact Tech - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  40. ^ 21 Coolest Kinetic Gadgets That Will Give You Goosebumps. Retrieved 2024-04-18 – via www.youtube.com.
  41. ^ TechRadar, "Die Top 5 der Videoübersetzungsdienste 2022" (German text), staff writers, September 26, 2022
  42. ^ Tech Times, "Translate a Video for Global Influence: Top 5 Best Video Translation Services in 2022," Thea Felicity, September 20, 2022
  43. ^ European Business Review, "Video Content Translation – The Five Best Platforms at A Glance," staff writers, October 21, 2022
  44. ^ Business Insider, "Lage beim Berliner Fintech Nuri spitzt sich zu" (German text), Barbara Barkhausen, August 09, 2022
  45. ^ "The Recommended Vendor of YouTube that is a perfect solution for video localization and translation for multi-language channels". cloud.google.com. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  46. ^ "Microsoft Azure Marketplace". azuremarketplace.microsoft.com (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  47. ^ "Google Cloud console". console.cloud.google.com. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
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