Runway

Runway GWM-1 Avatars

The public conversational-character surface of Runway's General World Model, creating realtime visual personas from one reference image.

Open provider docs See key facts

Plain-English overview

What Runway GWM-1 Avatars actually is

GWM-1 Avatars combines a persistent character definition with live WebRTC sessions. Developers can configure appearance, voice, personality, knowledge, and client or server tools without fine-tuning a new model.

This entry is intentionally specific: it compares the API developers can use today, not every research capability grouped under the broader GWM-1 name. Sessions currently have a documented five-minute maximum.

Good fit for

Website and app characters
Realtime tutors, hosts, and support personas
Visual agents with knowledge and tool access

Category comparison

The facts that matter for world models

These are provider-published specifications, not Cody benchmark scores. Follow the linked sources for current limits and endpoint-specific exceptions.

Price basisPublic API cost where available; research and private-beta models may not publish one.: 2 credits upfront + 2 / 6 seconds
Access stagePublic API, research experiment, partner onboarding, or private beta.: Public API
What it createsThe kind of interactive environment or embodied experience produced.: Realtime conversational character
InteractionPublished frame rate, latency, or realtime behavior with its original basis.: Live WebRTC session
Visual outputProvider-published resolution or output format where available.: Endpoint-managed avatar stream
API accessWhether developers can integrate the model today and under what access model.: Yes, Runway Characters API

Pricing source: Runway ↗Speed basis: Runway ↗

API and provider access

Where to get Runway GWM-1 Avatars

RunwayRunway Characters docsPublic character and realtime-session API.RunwayRunway realtime pricingLive GWM-1 Avatars credit rate.

Availability

Regions and access stage

Public Runway Characters API for custom realtime personas; sessions have a documented five-minute maximum.

Country, processing, and residency details depend on the Runway account and agreement.

Check live availability

Data and training

The route matters.

Data handling depends on the Runway plan and agreement. Review retention, recordings, transcripts, voice rights, and knowledge-base handling before deploying a customer-facing character.

This is a concise reading of the cited provider material, not legal advice. A third-party gateway can have different storage, routing, training, and residency terms from the model maker's direct API.

Read the provider policy

Frequently asked questions

Runway GWM-1 Avatars FAQ

What is Runway GWM-1 Avatars?

The public conversational-character surface of Runway's General World Model, creating realtime visual personas from one reference image. GWM-1 Avatars combines a persistent character definition with live WebRTC sessions. Developers can configure appearance, voice, personality, knowledge, and client or server tools without fine-tuning a new model.

When was Runway GWM-1 Avatars released?

Runway GWM-1 Avatars was released on December 1, 2025 according to the cited provider materials.

Where can I access Runway GWM-1 Avatars?

Public Runway Characters API for custom realtime personas; sessions have a documented five-minute maximum. The access routes listed in this guide are Runway, Runway.

How much does Runway GWM-1 Avatars cost?

2 credits upfront + 2 credits / 6 seconds. Runway API credits cost $0.01 each. This rate is for the public Avatars surface of GWM-1, not Runway's broader world-simulation research.

Where is Runway GWM-1 Avatars available?

Public Runway Characters API for custom realtime personas; sessions have a documented five-minute maximum. Country, processing, and residency details depend on the Runway account and agreement.

Is my Runway GWM-1 Avatars API data used for training?

Data handling depends on the Runway plan and agreement. Review retention, recordings, transcripts, voice rights, and knowledge-base handling before deploying a customer-facing character. The policy belongs to the provider route and account terms, so verify it again before production use.

Research trail

Sources for this guide

Checked September 3, 2026

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