Apple Buys Star Wars Motion-Capture Company Faceshift

Apple has purchased Faceshift, the company responsible for the motion-capture technology used in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Faceshift specialises in 3D animation software to copy facial expressions of an actor. While Apple has purchased the company, details regarding how much the deal cost, or what Apple plans to do with Faceshift, have not been disclosed as of writing.

An Apple representative sent the following statement to TechCrunch: “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”

Faceshift differs from traditional motion-capture technology. Whereas most motion-capture uses markers on a person’s face to track facial movement, Faceshift is possible without markers, and without the heavy costs associated with motion-capture.

“Faceshift studio is a facial motion capture software solution which revolutionizes facial animation, making it possible at every desk,” reads the company’s explanation of its software.

“The software analyzes the facial movements of an actor and describes them as a mixture of basic expressions, plus head orientation, and eye gaze. This description is then used to animate virtual characters for use in any situation where facial animation is required, such as movie and game production.”

One of the working theories at the moment is that the purchase of Faceshift may be part of Apple’s secret plan to move into the VR industry.

In August, Fortune reported that Piper Jaffray’s analyst Gene Munster believes Apple has assembled a team of virtual and augmented reality engineers, with the plan to see what is and isn’t possible inside of a VR environment.

-Agencies