Meta’s recent Connect event unveiled the highly anticipated AR glasses prototype Orion, a groundbreaking device that comes with a hefty price tag of $10,000. Although the public release is still on the horizon, Meta showcased another exciting development – holographic avatars that bring lifelike interactions to augmented reality. This innovative technology, known as Codec Avatars, has been years in the making and promises a glimpse into a future where conversations with holograms feel remarkably real.
Mark Zuckerberg had teased this technology in the past, and it now seems closer to becoming a reality. During a post-Connect interview with Mark Rabkin, a Meta VP overseeing Horizon OS and Quest, details emerged about the potential integration of Codec Avatars into VR headsets like Quest. Rabkin shed light on the evolution of creating avatars, highlighting a shift from complex camera scans to more accessible phone scans for avatar generation.
The process of developing stylized avatars for VR shares similarities with Codec Avatars, yet it involves different training sets and computational requirements. Generating realistic avatars poses a challenge of gathering vast amounts of diverse data to train the model effectively. Rabkin emphasized the goal of optimizing speed and computational efficiency to make this technology accessible to millions of users.
Looking ahead, Rabkin envisions a future where these avatars can seamlessly inhabit the virtual reality realm of Meta’s headsets. Current models like Quest 3 and 3S lack essential sensors like eye tracking for photorealistic avatars, but Rabkin hinted at the possibility of incorporating these features in the next-generation VR headset. The prospect of experiencing Codec Avatars in virtual reality could soon become a reality, providing users with immersive and interactive experiences beyond imagination.
In conclusion, Meta’s strides in developing transformative technology like Codec Avatars signify a future where the boundaries between reality and virtual worlds blur, offering endless possibilities for connectivity and interaction. As we look forward to the next wave of innovation in VR and AR, the evolution of avatars stands as a testament to Meta’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and shaping the future of human connection.
