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Key people at faceshift.
Based in Zurich, Switzerland, with additional offices in San Francisco and London, faceshift develops real-time facial motion capture software that utilizes 3D depth cameras to track subtle expressions and generate animated avatars. The technology serves the film, animation, and virtual reality sectors, with notable applications including character animation for the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens and integrations with Microsoft Kinect cameras. Prior to its acquisition, the startup secured $830,000 in total funding, comprising $130,000 in seed capital and a $700,000 convertible note, while filing six patents for its tracking systems. Apple acquired the company in 2015 for an undisclosed amount, subsequently integrating the team into its European operations and removing the original developer resources. The enterprise was founded in 2012 as a spin-off from EPFL and ETH Zurich by Thibaut Weise, Brian Amberg, and Sofien Bouaziz.
Faceshift was a Zurich-based startup that developed real-time facial motion capture software, enabling animated avatars and characters to mirror human facial expressions using 3D depth cameras.[1][4][5] It primarily served gaming, film production, and visual effects industries by solving the challenge of costly, time-intensive facial animation, allowing desk-based creation of realistic expressions for applications like Star Wars films and marketing campaigns with Intel and Pepsi.[1][2][5] Prior to its acquisition by Apple in 2015, Faceshift showed early traction through academic origins, patents, and international offices, positioning it as a game-changer in motion capture tech amid rising VR and AR demand.[1]
Faceshift emerged as a spinoff from the Computer Graphics and Geometry Laboratory at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, founded around 2012 by academics Thibaut Weise, Brian Amberg, and Sofien Bouaziz.[1][5] The idea stemmed from research into efficient facial tracking, leading to patented technologies (initially owned by EPFL, transferred to Faceshift in August 2015) that used 3D depth cameras for real-time nuance capture.[1][4] Early pivotal moments included demos on their website, developer support docs, and expansion with West Coast (led by Doug Griffin) and London offices (headed by Nico Scapel, a VFX expert).[1] This academic-to-commercial pivot built quick credibility in animation and gaming.
Faceshift stood out in motion capture through these key strengths:
Faceshift rode the 2010s surge in VR/AR and real-time animation, fueled by gaming immersion and film efficiencies, where its tech enabled expressive avatars amid growing motion capture demand.[1] Timing was ideal post-2012 founding, aligning with VR hype (e.g., Oculus) and Apple's AR explorations, making it a strategic fit for enhancing experiences like Face ID or Animoji.[1][2] Market forces like falling sensor costs and 3D camera ubiquity favored its low-barrier model, influencing ecosystems by democratizing pro-level VFX—paving the way for integrated facial tech in consumer devices and content pipelines.[1][3]
Post-2015 Apple acquisition, Faceshift's IP likely powered features like Animoji, Memojis, and AR facial tracking in iOS, evolving from standalone software to core Apple silicon integrations.[1][2] Next steps hinge on Apple's AR/VR push (e.g., Vision Pro advancements), with trends like AI-enhanced animation and metaverse immersion amplifying its legacy. Its influence may grow indirectly, shaping industry standards for real-time expression capture and blurring lines between film, gaming, and everyday mobile AR—cementing Faceshift's role as a foundational motion capture innovator.
Key people at faceshift.
