IBV Automates Hyperrealistic Digital Character Creation with 4D Scanning in Metavatar Project

The Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) in Valencia is leading the Metavatar project to fundamentally change the process of generating hyperrealistic digital characters. This initiative moves beyond conventional, fragmented simulation-based methods by integrating real-world capture through 3D video, specifically utilizing 4D scanning technologies to ensure digital doubles originate directly from physical reality.

The core of this transformation is the IBV's proprietary dynamic body scanning technology, MOVE4D. This system captures intricate 4D sequences at a high temporal frequency while maintaining consistent mesh topology across frames. The scanner processes a data cloud exceeding 4 million 3D points, automatically converting it into a closed mesh of 50,000 points with a precision of 1 millimeter. The MOVE4D system is also under investigation for clinical and ergonomics applications, such as precisely quantifying segmental masses and measuring joint rotations, particularly in the upper limbs, which could impact rehabilitation protocols and surgical planning.

Metavatar addresses the growing demand for authentic avatars in virtual environments and the metaverse, a process that traditionally requires substantial resources and specialized technical expertise. The project's innovation centers on automating the conversion pipeline for topology, virtual skeletons, and animation data into formats compatible with major 3D production platforms, effectively halving the required creation time. Carmelo Lizarraga of the IBV confirmed the development of an advanced conversion method allowing digital doubles captured by MOVE4D to be imported directly into leading graphics engines without manual intermediary steps. This advancement is intended to democratize high-fidelity avatar creation for entities lacking the necessary infrastructure.

The Metavatar initiative is a collaboration involving several Valencian enterprises, including Play&Go Experience, Aumenta Vilanova, Nunsys, and Innoarea Projects. The development receives backing from the Generalitat Valenciana through IVACE+i funding, signaling regional support for deeptech innovation. The MOVE4D platform is a modular, photogrammetry-based 4D capture and analysis system capable of markerless 3D acquisition of body shapes in motion at ultra-high spatial and temporal resolutions, sometimes reaching 180 frames per second. This technology surpasses older marker photogrammetric systems by accurately assessing soft tissue dynamics without physically instrumenting the subject, which can introduce data bias. The IBV leverages its experience in anthropometry and human movement analysis to advance human assessment research, providing new anthropometric indicators for performance assessment and injury prevention in areas like sports science.

The strategic importance of such projects for the local technology ecosystem is underscored by regional support from entities like Ivace+i, which champions R&D and digital transformation within the Valencian Community.