A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, a man of pure genius created the biggest technology company in the history of man….

OK, so maybe the time frame might be somewhat off but those words now have a link to the company Steve Jobs founded with Apple, Inc. reported to have acquired Faceshift AG, the Swiss maker of the motion capture technology used in the new Star Wars movie.

Founded in 2012, Faceshift’s software analyzes the face motions of an actor and transcribes them as a mixture of basic expressions, plus head orientation and gaze.

The software is described by the company as bringing avatars to life while driving new forms of communication and storytelling through the use of  “real-time motion capture” that tracks facial expressions and movement to deliver the character desired.

Although best known for its use in movies, the software itself may have a range of possible applications for Apple, including:

• Virtual or augmented reality: although Apple has never officially confirmed its ambitions in the space it has previously been reported that the tech giant has hired VR engineers and back in May it acquired an augmented reality startup; rumors emerged in September that Apple may actually be building its own version of Microsoft’s Hololens AR headset.
• Biometrics/ security: the software could be used to extend the idea of unlocking an Apple device via a fingerprint to facial recognition or even a certain facial expression.
• Tracking: rumors of an Apple television (an actual television versus the current Apple TV) have been surfacing for years now. This software could give Apple market leading motion capture on a potential future television set.
• Gaming and chat: probably more of an unlikely fit but potentially Apple could use Faceshift’s tech for the creation of custom avatars or for implementation of avatar based chats in Facetime.

All of those are pure speculation at this point with virtual and/ or augmented reality being the most realistic use for the software.

Apple for its part hasn’t officially confirmed the acquisition, but at the same time actually has in a round about way by issuing its now standard post-acquisition statement of “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”

Prior to acquisition Faceshift had raised $700,000 via a convertible note in September 2013.

As there was no official announcement the price of the acquisition is unknown.

Image credit: Faceshift.