Meta’s metaverse dream has faced widespread criticism in recent years, with many doubting its viability. However, a recent demonstration by Mark Zuckerberg of photorealistic avatars suggests that the metaverse may be far from dead. During an episode of the Lex Fridman podcast on September 28th, Zuckerberg and Fridman engaged in a one-hour conversation, but with a twist – they used photorealistic avatars in the metaverse. The avatars were created using Meta’s Quest 3 headsets and noise-canceling headphones, providing a realistic and immersive experience.
Critics have often mocked Meta for investing billions of dollars into metaverse research, only to produce avatars that are cartoonish and have wonky-looking legs. However, this latest demonstration showcased the sophistication of Meta’s technology, leaving social media users, including those from Crypto Twitter, genuinely impressed. Users praised the level of realism achieved by the avatars, with one stating that they forgot they were watching avatars after just nine minutes into the podcast.
Fridman himself expressed his amazement during the interview, noting how close Zuckerberg felt to him and how he struggled to differentiate between the avatar and the real person. This level of realism was made possible by Meta’s newest version of Codec Avatars, a research project that aims to create fully photorealistic real-time avatars through headsets with face tracking sensors. The technology, first revealed in 2019, still requires expensive machine learning software and specialized equipment featuring over 100 cameras for full head scans. As a result, it may take another three years before everyday consumers can access their own realistic avatars. However, Zuckerberg mentioned the company’s commitment to reducing barriers and eventually achieving the ability to create scans with a regular smartphone.
This recent demonstration comes shortly after Meta unveiled its latest AI assistant, Meta AI, which is integrated across various chatbots, apps, and even smart glasses. The company continues to push the boundaries of technology in its quest to create a fully immersive metaverse experience. Despite the skepticism surrounding Meta’s metaverse ambitions, the demonstration of photorealistic avatars highlights the potential and progress being made in this field.
In conclusion, while critics have regularly questioned the viability of Meta’s metaverse dream, the recent demonstration of photorealistic avatars by Mark Zuckerberg suggests that the concept is far from dead. The use of avatars in a face-to-face conversation showcased the sophistication of Meta’s technology and impressed social media users. Although it may take a few more years before everyday consumers can access their own realistic avatars, Meta is actively working to reduce barriers and make this technology more accessible. With ongoing developments, Meta is set to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the metaverse.
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