A new system called Gaussian‑VRM offers a rapid, browser-based route to creating and animating 3D avatars. Developed by researchers at the University of Tsukuba (Japan), this tool converts a user’s smartphone 3D scan into a “.gvrm” * avatar format in about five minutes, and the core avatar generation itself is claimed to take only around 30 seconds. gaussian-vrm.github.io+1
Key features include:
- Real-time skinning of “Gaussian splats” (small volumetric primitives) to animate avatars smoothly.
- Compatibility with web, mobile and VR platforms via a three.js-based loader. GitHub
- Minimal hardware requirements since it avoids high-end processing or multiple cameras. arXiv
Potential drawbacks:
- As a new format (.gvrm) and system, toolchain support may be limited for now.
- While speedy, real-world tests on varied hardware are still emerging—visual fidelity or performance may vary across devices.
In short: Gaussian-VRM offers a highly accessible way to create custom avatars for learning environments, virtual classrooms and immersive media applications—an interesting addition to the educator’s toolkit.
*The .gvrm format is a new lightweight 3D avatar standard based on Gaussian splatting that enables fast, realistic and easily animatable avatars for use across web, VR and mobile platforms.
