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October 2024 was a landmark month in animation history with the release of Where the Robots Grow(Where the Robots Grow), the first feature-length animated cartoon created entirely using artificial intelligence tools.
This 87-minute movie was created by AiMation studio under the leadership of Tom Paton and cost $8,000 per minute, an unprecedented amount for professional animation. For comparison, low-budget television animation created in studios costs between $10,000 and $20,000 per minute and does not reach the level of quality that Paton managed to achieve with a team of nine people.
Paton, who has a background in visual effects, wrote, produced and directed Where the Robots Grow. The story is set in the distant future, where robots are sent to cultivate a new planet, preparing it for humans. The protagonist, a robot farmer named Crewe, finds a capsule with the last human child and begins to learn his new purpose with the help of an artificial intelligence system called POP, which serves as a kind of “robotic Jiminy Cricket”.
From a business perspective, AiMation has chosen an unconventional approach to distribution – the movie is available for free on YouTube. Paton explains that this is not only a creative experiment, but also a strategy to draw attention to the studio. “It’s not just about making a movie, it’s about opening up new possibilities,” he says. “With AI, we can break down the barriers that have prevented many creators from getting started.”
Aside from its impressive quality, the movie demonstrates the innovative capabilities the studio has to offer Hollywood. The free-to-view release works as a demonstration to promote their services and future projects.
Visually, Where the Robots Grow looks professional, especially considering the budget. Without prior knowledge of the use of AI, viewers would hardly have guessed that the movie was created using artificial intelligence. The animation is clean and polished, although it’s better suited for robots than humans.
The film’s highlights are associated with two robots – the antagonist Number 4 and the cute robo-pet Kru named Number 2 – who add tension and emotion to the story. Paton adds that they used the technology of “vocal remapping” to voice the characters, a technology that allows you to change or “translate” the performer’s voice so that it sounds like the voice of another person.
Although the description of the cartoon states that it is intended for viewing by the whole family, its plot is quite simple and aimed at children, about 7 years old. The narrative does not have any dynamic scenes, with an emphasis on character development. The hero, Kru, naive and honest, discovers the world with the help of guidance from POP, an AI operating system that acts as his moral compass.
Where Robots Grow also highlights the limitations of AI when working with human characters. While the robots look great, the POP animation of a small figure in a bubble looks limited and a bit clunky.
If Pixar ushered in a new era of CGI animation with their Toy Story animated film, then Where the Robots Grow could be a similar breakthrough for AI animation. Paton compares this moment to the early days of CGI in the 90s and states immodestly: “This is our Toy Story moment. And it’s not hypothetical, it’s happening right now.”
Free movie release is a strategy aimed at attracting the attention of studios and investors. Follow the link to see what you think of the first AI-generated cartoon.