Intel has unveiled a new app featuring uncannily accurate avatars that mimic the human face.
Called "Pocket Avatars," the free messaging app has detailed animated avatars that can imitate subtle movements of a person's face, such as eyebrow movements and smile, VentureBeat reported.
"The math behind this is scary," Mike Bell, Intel vice president and general manager of new devices, said during the demonstration, as quoted by VentureBeat. "The algorithms behind here are so good that it's scary what it can mimic. ... And we have plans to make it more lifelike."
Intel is primarily known for processors and Pocket Avatars is the company's first mobile product. It has launched for Android and iOS devices.
Pocket Avatars can be used to send messages with just text, but its main appeal is the collection of 40 different avatars. While most of them are free, the more exclusive ones will cost $1 each.
According to Bell, Intel plans to expand into more apps in the near future.
"This isn't a one-off, this isn't a publicity stunt," said Bell, as quoted by VentureBeat. "We're going to try lots of new products like this."
The company has been preparing for the unusual app for years, Intel said in a statement quoted by PCMag.com.
"Proprietary facial gesture software used by the app is based on years of research by Intel Labs. It is also the result of collaboration between Intel experts in clients, servers, message delivery, Web programming, 3-D tracking, modeling, animation and video rendering, who came together to enable this unique experience," Intel said in a statement.
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