From the archive
Runway Characters adds a real-time video agent API
Runway introduces conversational avatars from a reference image, with configurable voice, knowledge, and actions.
Runway launched Characters on March 9, 2026. The real-time video agent API generated a conversational character from a reference image without a separate fine-tuning step.
Appearance and conversation
Character configuration covered its visual appearance, voice, personality, knowledge, and available actions. The model generated facial expressions, eye movements, lip synchronization, and gestures while the character spoke or listened.
Runway described applications including customer support, training, and interactive brand characters. Connecting actions allowed a character to do more than speak, such as creating a ticket or retrieving information.
Developer and web-app access
Characters launched on Runway's developer platform for custom integrations. Preset avatars also reached the Runway web app. The release expanded Runway beyond generating a completed video into live, conversational video experiences.