Silicon Valley startup Bellus3D announced back in December that they would be taking the selfie game to a new level in 2017, and last week at CES in Las Vegas, they showcased how: with an easy-to-use, high-quality, and affordable 3D face scanning camera. With it, you can create 3D face models in seconds, and they look absurdly accurate.
“Existing 3D scanners on the market are either too expensive or not designed for high-quality face scanning. Bellus3D Face Camera will be a game changer that allows many new 3D face applications to emerge.” – CEO Eric Chen
The Bellus3D Face Camera combines two proprietary state-of-the-art technologies that measure 500,000 3D points on your face to create a high-resolution and accurate face model in seconds. DepthShape™ reconstructs 3D shape using an infrared structured-light sensor designed for close range scanning at up to 0.4 mm resolution. PhotoShape™ leverages mobile device’s high-resolution front-facing camera to capture face details such as skin pores and wrinkles. An optional LED ring light ensures your face is captured with perfect lighting and color every time.
So far, the add-on camera is only designed to work with existing Android mobile devices. Captured data is streamed and processed via your device’s USB port. Bellus3D’s patent-pending technology then automatically calibrates and registers the Face Camera’s built-in depth sensor with the mobile device’s camera every time you scan a face. As mobile camera’s quality and resolution improve, so will the scanning quality of the Face Camera.
Here are some specifications:
- Two 1.2MP Infrared sensors
- One 1.2MP Color sensor
- Support external color camera from 2MP to 20MP
- Two Infrared Laser structured-light projectors
- Working range: 25cm to 1m (optimal for face scanning at 30-60cm)
- USB connector (powered by mobile device)
- Dimension (w/o Ring Light): 118mm(w) x 28.5mm(h) x 20mm(d)
- Optional LED Ring Light attachment
- Android device SDK for capturing and processing (inquire about supported devices)
Bellus3D’s Face Camera and Android SDK will be available in Q1, 2017 in limited quantity to developers and partners only. According to The Verge, it should be available to the public for $ 300 at the end of 2017. By then, Bellus3D wants your ideas for applications. Here’s what they’ve come up with so far themselves:
3D Virtual Makeup. Apply digital makeup to your 3D face model for a realistic simulation of the makeup effect without the time and mess associated with normal trial-and-error. Inspect your makeup from different angles and under different lighting. Makeup effect software is provided by Meitu, Inc.
Custom 3D Game/VR Character. Use your own face to customize a character in your favorite game or VR world.
3D Printing. Bellus3D Face Camera output is ready for printing with a 3D printer or a printing service. It is the easiest way to get a high-quality 3D print of your face.
Virtual Try-on. Our accurate 3D face models let you virtually try on eyewears, wigs, and even clothes (the latter provided by tg3d Studio). Not only for the look but also for the fit. You can get precise measurements based on your own 3D face data.
Medical/cosmetic surgery. See before and after results in 3D from different directions.
3D Facial Recongnition. Increase the recognition accuracy with 3D face models independent of the illumination or the camera angle.
Looks like this device actually found a way to succesfuly combine affordability, usability and some pretty high resolution imagery. Could be a real game changer—can’t wait to try it!
