Zurich-based startup Faceshift has provided face capture tech for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and also specialises in 3D sensors.

These are used to capture facial expressions in real time, data that can be used to make non-human characters in movies and games look more convincing. Obviously

Obviously the Apple Empire is hoping that it can make its technology look real and useful so it will stop being beaten up by Chinese Ewoks.

The technology behind Faceshift is innovative and is based around Realsense which is created by another Empire on the Darkside – Intel.

At the time of the buyout, the outfit was working on consumer software that allows Skype users to set a real-time avatar for video chats. We guess this will not be seen on real technology and will only be seen on Apple messaging gear.

Apple has not confirmed why it purchased Faceshift or even acknowledged the deal. Several Faceshift employees are now said to be working directly for Apple.