Epic Games Partners with Max Planck Spin-off in Tübingen

Epic Games, a prominent U.S. game developer, has announced the acquisition of Meshcapade. This innovative firm is a spin-off from the renowned Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, located in Tübingen’s Cyber Valley. Along with the acquisition, Epic Games will also establish a new office in this tech hub, enhancing its footprint in Europe.

About Meshcapade

Founded in 2018, Meshcapade specializes in creating and animating digital humans using advanced technology. This technology leverages the SMPL (Skinned Multi-Person Linear) body model developed by the Max Planck Institute. It offers a realistic 3D representation of the human form, trained on thousands of body scans, and has set a standard in both academic and industrial circles.

Award and Recognition

• In 2022, Meshcapade was awarded the inaugural Max Planck Startup Award.
• Its innovative approaches have positioned it as a leader in AI and digital human technology.

Significance of the Acquisition

With this acquisition, the Meshcapade team will join Epic Games’ AI Research division. Their work is expected to significantly enhance Unreal Engine and MetaHuman technologies. According to Patrick Cramer, President of the Max Planck Society, this move demonstrates the global impact of transforming basic research into practical applications.

The Future of Digital Human Creation

Meshcapade’s technology allows digital figures to exhibit fluidity and precision akin to high-quality animations, achieved through AI and standard video input. This innovative approach not only captures human movements but also includes complex facial expressions that contribute to a more lifelike experience.

Industry Impact

Key figures in the industry have expressed optimism about the acquisition. Bram Wijlands, Managing Director of Max Planck Innovation, emphasized that this move proves “AI Made in Germany” can compete globally. Kim Libreri, CTO of Epic Games, noted that integrating Meshcapade’s technologies would provide developers with new tools for creating compelling digital characters.

Technological Innovations

• Meshcapade allows motion capture from standard videos, making the process more accessible and cost-effective.
• The technology has garnered attention simply through word-of-mouth, without extensive marketing efforts.

Conclusion

This partnership between Epic Games and Meshcapade is poised to reshape the landscape of digital human creation in gaming and film. By merging innovative research with practical application, both entities aim to lower the barriers for developers and enhance the overall quality of digital human production.