Video: Sony's MotionPortrait turns photos into 3D animations with chilling effect

We don't pretend to understand the Japanese, we usually just nod graciously and smile when they dazzle us with their consumer electronics and robots. But Sony's MotionPortrait is different, SolidAlliance different. The technology creates 3D graphics from 2D stills of human faces. The 3D faces can then be animated semi-realistically using standard computer graphics. In fact, we wouldn't be surprised to find this tech in a CyberShot point-and-shoot in a few years out. Innocent enough until you see how it's demonstrated. Click through to see the results and feel free to laugh or scream at the end -- we did both in unison much to our surprise.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 7:42AM]

Oh my god, I just burst out laughing in my office and everyone's looking at me.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 7:44AM]

Sony actually made this?? Wtf?? freaky as hell

[Kizorblade Posted Jun 4th 2009 7:48AM]

Holy fucking shit those eyes and smile. Ugh.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 8:04AM]

Don't shit yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufoApSKRaCs

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 9:16AM]

nearly just as freaky . . . and yes I think I shat myself . .

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 2:21PM]

Ever heard of Poser? Easy to do with their software

[Prospero Posted Jun 4th 2009 8:23AM]

what planet is Japan on??

[Bad Cyborg Posted Jun 4th 2009 9:50AM]

Oh, it's on planet Earth alright. Wrong century though, they're in 2200AD. This is in strong contrast to a place such as the USA, which is on planet Sparta, in the same era as in the movie.

[NickNick Posted Jun 4th 2009 8:27AM]

LMAO!!

[traeblain Posted Jun 4th 2009 8:30AM]

Just wet myself...

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 8:41AM]

Related research from IEEE
http://ping.fm/avPZb

kiss my AXE - Well view it for more details
http://ping.fm/pwHF7

Try to different beard style on a face
http://ping.fm/yMzzY

Anything else...

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 8:47AM]

put this in video games plz?

[superhobo Posted Jun 4th 2009 9:01AM]

A few Tony Hawk games already have this.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 8:48AM]

The Grudge 3 movie is out already?

[superhobo Posted Jun 4th 2009 8:57AM]

Can't breathe!

[Jill Sandwich Posted Jun 4th 2009 9:22AM]

Oh my god I can't unsee it the demons THE DEMONS aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

[tobz1000 Posted Jun 4th 2009 9:26AM]

Oh, great. There go my good trousers.

[Trav261 Posted Jun 4th 2009 9:29AM]

Whaat.......

[henryhbk Posted Jun 4th 2009 9:39AM]

Just because you CAN does not mean you SHOULD. Sony has spent a lot of money in researching and finally proving that statement!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 5th 2009 4:33PM]

UNCANNY VALLEY!!!!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 5th 2009 7:39AM]

Isn't that the actor form Great Teacher Onizaku (the live version of course)?

[LaughingMan11 Posted Jun 4th 2009 10:33AM]

AHHH KILL IT KILL IT KILL IT!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 10:48AM]

Why so serious?

[PorkchopFlavoredCupcake Posted Jun 4th 2009 11:05AM]

That's the kind of smile only a mother could love.
A mother that eats her young.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 12:01PM]

We will never understand the japanese.

[El Guano Posted Jun 4th 2009 12:08PM]

Jesus Christ, talk about plummeting straight down into the valley.

[Hackettman Posted Jun 4th 2009 12:33PM]

So maybe I can actually be the character in fallout New Vegas...... Except my expressions will be crazy lookin all the time.......

[rickatnight11 Posted Jun 4th 2009 1:39PM]

What...the...hell? *GRIN*

[vitriolix Posted Jun 4th 2009 2:18PM]

My skin just came off my body and ran away

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 2:30PM]

what the hell, are they trying to show some LSD visuals on her face?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 2:42PM]

until the Japanese totally invade earth I will continue doing me own passport photos at http://ePassportPhoto.com
--shelly

[Strange Quark Star Posted Jun 4th 2009 3:11PM]

It's nice how they also achieved superhuman vision, 'cause the girl can see from behind the guy's back that his necktie was cut.

[fourblades Posted Jun 4th 2009 4:43PM]

what just happened??!?!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 4:54PM]

i think ill have some nightmares about that one tonight...

[Eternal Density Posted Jun 4th 2009 7:05PM]

After reading the comments I have opted not to watch the video.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 5th 2009 2:52AM]

I dunno... I was kinda aroused while watching that.

On another note, can they incorporate this technology into pr0n? I always wanted to bone a girl.

[keithwwalker Posted Jun 5th 2009 5:49AM]

The Office, Japanese edition....

[simbr Posted Jun 5th 2009 8:02AM]

See also http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-09-13/haruhi-game-showcased-with-interactive-3d-web-haruhi