Zuckerberg unveils new real-time avatars at Meta’s Connect event

Mark Zuckerberg reveals new detailed avatars with legs during Meta’s Connect event, aiming to enhance user experience in the metaverse.

 

[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ark Zuckerberg has unveiled a new generation of real-time avatars during Meta’s Connect event on Tuesday, marking a significant moment as it was the first public conference held by the Facebook founder in Meta’s metaverse, Horizon World.

During the presentation, Zuckerberg announced that these updated avatars, described as “more detailed than anything else,” are set to launch later this year on both smartphones and virtual reality headsets.

 

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A key highlight of the new avatars is the inclusion of legs, a feature Zuckerberg acknowledged as “probably the most requested” enhancement on their development roadmap.

He explained that the previous absence of legs in metaverse avatars stemmed from the challenges of accurately positioning body parts in virtual reality environments.

“But seriously, legs are hard, which is why other virtual reality systems don’t have them,” he added.

This announcement follows a wave of criticism Zuckerberg faced on social media just months earlier, after he posted an avatar on Instagram that depicted him in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Users quickly compared the graphics to outdated 1990s video games like Zelda and Quake, prompting Zuckerberg to acknowledge the feedback.

He subsequently shared an updated avatar and recognised that the initial image was “basic,” assuring users that the graphics capabilities in Horizon are rapidly advancing.

“Graphics in Horizon are capable of so much more — even on headsets — and Horizon is improving very quickly,” Zuckerberg commented in an Instagram post back in August.