Understanding the concept of a metahuman is vital as the world of digital animation and virtual reality continues to evolve. In recent years, advancements in technology have led to the creation of hyper-realistic virtual beings—commonly referred to as metahumans—who blend physical and digital experiences in ways never before imagined. These digital characters are revolutionizing industries such as gaming, filmmaking, and even customer experience design. As virtual spaces like the metaverse expand, understanding what a metahuman is and how it works becomes increasingly important.

What is Metahuman?

A metahuman refers to a digitally created character that mimics human behavior, appearance, and movement with incredible precision. These characters are generated using sophisticated tools, such as the Unreal Engine’s Metahuman Creator, that allow for the development of highly detailed and lifelike avatars. A metahuman can possess not only human-like physical features but also the ability to replicate nuanced human expressions and emotions. In the field of digital animation, metahumans represent the next step in creating believable, interactive virtual entities.

The concept of a metahuman can be compared to digital twins in the physical world, where a digital replica mimics real-world objects, environments, or beings. However, metahumans take this concept further by integrating advanced AI, motion capture technology, and digital sculpting tools. While terms like digital human or virtual avatar are sometimes used interchangeably, the distinctiveness of metahumans lies in their uncanny realism and versatility across various platforms.

Background

The term metahuman gained popularity as companies began pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in the realm of digital animation. Metahuman Creator, a tool launched by Unreal Engine, is instrumental in this development. It allows developers, artists, and even novices to design digital humans with unparalleled realism and precision. The tool uses motion capture technology to map real-life human expressions and body movements onto virtual characters, providing lifelike animations that make these digital beings feel incredibly human.

The metahuman concept finds application not only in entertainment but also in sectors like customer service, marketing, and education. Imagine interacting with a customer service representative who is a fully digital entity, capable of mimicking human gestures and emotions seamlessly. Platforms like Synthesia offer services that employ metahuman-like characters for corporate training, presentations, and more, further blurring the line between physical and digital human experiences.

To better understand the framework of a metahuman, let’s break down some of the core technologies involved:

• Digital Animation: The process of creating moving images using computer-generated graphics.
• Motion Capture: Technology used to record real-world human movements and apply them to digital characters.
• Facial Recognition and Expression Mapping: Systems that capture facial expressions in real-time and render them onto digital characters.
• AI Integration: Artificial Intelligence that enables metahumans to react, adapt, and interact autonomously in virtual environments.

Origins/History

The concept of the metahuman has roots in early CGI (computer-generated imagery) and digital animation, but it has evolved significantly with the introduction of more advanced tools like Unreal Character Creator and Metahuman Creator. In the early 2000s, CGI in movies and video games laid the foundation for realistic digital characters, but it wasn’t until the last decade that technology advanced enough to produce metahumans with near-perfect realism.

Types of Metahuman

Metahumans are not one-size-fits-all. Different types of metahumans exist, depending on their functionality and use cases. Here are some common categories:

How does Metahuman work?

The creation of a metahuman involves several technologies, including real-time rendering engines like Unreal Engine and motion capture systems. The process begins with designing a digital model, often using platforms like the Meta Human Creator, which offers preset features that can be adjusted for a personalized character.

Once the base model is created, animators use motion capture to add fluidity to the character’s movements. Facial motion capture, in particular, is crucial, as it enables the digital avatar to replicate human facial expressions and emotions with high fidelity. The last step often involves AI integration, which allows the metahuman to interact in dynamic environments, be it through scripted dialogues or unscripted interactions with real-world individuals.

Pros & Cons of Metahuman

Metahumans have their advantages and drawbacks, which depend on their application in various industries. Here’s a breakdown:

Companies

Several leading companies are pioneering the development and integration of metahumans across industries. Below are some of the most notable ones:

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine’s Metahuman Creator is arguably the most influential tool in the creation of metahumans. Its easy-to-use interface and expansive range of customizable features make it the go-to for artists and developers looking to create hyper-realistic digital humans.

DeepMotion

Another major player, DeepMotion, offers tools that focus on motion capture and animation. Its Metahuman Companion enhances the capabilities of Unreal’s Metahuman Creator, adding a layer of advanced body movement realism.

Synthesia

Synthesia specializes in AI-powered video creation, utilizing metahuman-like characters for corporate and educational videos. Their platform allows for easy creation of videos with digital avatars that can present information in multiple languages.

Applications or Uses

The use of metahumans is expanding rapidly as industries recognize their potential. From entertainment to corporate training, metahumans are becoming a staple in digital and physical interactions. Below are some key areas where metahumans are making a significant impact:

Gaming

Metahumans are transforming the gaming industry by enhancing the realism of in-game characters. They allow players to engage with lifelike avatars in immersive environments, further blurring the line between virtual and physical reality.

Film and TV

In cinema, metahumans can replace traditional CGI characters with digital humans that are more realistic. They can perform complex scenes without the need for stunt doubles or extensive makeup, making production more efficient and cost-effective.

Virtual Reality

In VR environments, metahumans provide avatars for users, offering more immersive and interactive experiences. They enable more realistic social interactions in virtual worlds like the metaverse, where human-like avatars are essential for communication.

Digital Marketing

Companies are using metahumans in advertising and marketing campaigns. Brands can create hyper-realistic virtual influencers or models that engage with customers online, offering personalized shopping experiences.

Customer Experience

With platforms like Metatailor, customer-facing businesses can deploy metahuman-based virtual assistants that offer support, assistance, and interaction with a human touch.

Resources

• TechTarget. Phygital: Bridging Digital and Physical Experiences.
• NewWebLabs. Metahuman Creator: A Powerful Tool.
• Yord Studio. Expanding Brands in the Metaverse: From Avatars to Metahumans.
• DeepMotion. Metahuman Companion Tools: Enhancing Digital Animation.