Originally created by a Sony-backed research centre, "Motion Portrait" technology can take one still portrait photograph and transform it into a walking, talking on-screen 3D rendering.

Background can be added, facial expressions created and speech can be programmed to make a slightly creepy 3D version of the subject.

Requiring no special technical set-up at the users end, the program can be viewed on a modern computer, or a mobile capable of 30 fps video.

Despite this, initially it will only be available to companies to buy and integrate into their products. Potential application include gaming, social network avatars or mobile phone messaging apps.

Follow the link below to the demo screen which shows just how effectively the technology can be used - on a dog!

>> Link - MotionPortrait Demo
>> Via - SciFi.com