Faceshift and Intel Demonstrate the Future of Face Tracking at Computex

Computex is the largest ICT trade show in Asia and the second largest in the world. At Intel’s Keynote address at Computex 2014, President Renee James spoke to Michelle Xu, but it was Michelle’s avatar that spoke back. The live avatar experience was a combination of Intel and faceshift technology. Intel’s new RealSense sensor provides both depth and video, but unlike the similar Microsoft Kinect, is small enough to be embedded in consumer devices and designed for close range human-computer interactions such as gesture tracking. faceshift’s software technology analyses this data and outputs meaningful expressions and eye gaze information, which are used to drive the virtual character.

The demo showed the power and versatility of using next-gen 3D depth sensors, particularly when embedded into consumer devices. In this case, Intel used an ASUS laptop, although other devices will be shown at the Intel booth.

Previously this type of face tracking technology was restricted to large visual effects and game studios, due to the high price of the specialized hardware and software. With RealSense embedded devices, for the first time ever consumers will have this capability in their own devices. “The combination of Intel RealSense technology and faceshift technology provides a new level of robustness and fidelity on a consumer device. This is a game changer for online communication and in-game avatar use,” said Mooly Eden, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Perceptual Computing at Intel.

Thibaut Weise, faceshift CEO, agrees. "The combination of faceshift and Intel RealSense puts animation-studio technology in the hands of consumers."

About faceshift
Launched in November 2012, Swiss-based faceshift is a spinoff from ETH and EPFL currently used in over 30 countries. faceshift technology is used for virtual characters, monitoring emotional response, security, and research studies. Additional information can be found at