Meta Avatars finally get legs in Horizon Home, with the Quest v57 update on the Public Test Channel, after Meta said in October 2022 they were “coming soon”

UploadVR 2023-08-30 David Heaney

Context & Ripple Effects

Meta had previously presented avatar legs as an AI-driven capability for Horizon Worlds, then clarified that its Connect presentation used motion-capture animation rather than a live product demonstration. This update is the first reported test-channel delivery of that earlier AI-based avatar-leg plan.

The release also follows Quest v56’s hand-tracking improvements, making it part of Meta’s broader effort to improve how avatars reflect a user’s movement rather than relying solely on controller input.

First-order effects

Public Test Channel users gain legged Meta Avatars in Horizon Home, changing the immediate presentation of users’ virtual bodies in that space.
Meta can test the feature with a limited Quest audience before wider deployment, gathering implementation feedback on a capability it had earlier signaled as forthcoming.

Second-order effects

The test creates a practical software path toward the later Quest 3 plan for upper-body tracking and AI-estimated legs, tying avatar fidelity more closely to headset-based tracking capabilities.
More complete avatar movement raises the quality baseline for Horizon experiences, increasing pressure on Meta’s own social-VR surfaces to make body representation feel consistent across environments.

Third-order effects

If inferred-body features prove reliable beyond a test channel, social VR can deliver fuller embodiment without requiring full-body tracking hardware, shifting differentiation toward computer-vision and motion-estimation software.
The earlier distinction between motion-capture demos and shipping behavior means trust in avatar-roadmap claims will depend on repeated deployment in consumer software, not showcase animation alone.

The trend: This is one step in VR platforms’ shift from controller-led avatars toward software-inferred, more physically expressive digital bodies.

Discussion

@nya_vr_ @nya_vr_ on threads
There are some new images named Smart Guardian, clearly featuring the Quest 3.
@sadlyitsbradley Brad Lynch on x
The new Leg IK for Meta is a good start. They kept their opinion that you should only see them as a third person view The lack of crouching is probably the most glaring issue of it so far. But progress 🤷 [video]
@lunayian Luna on x
Now that Meta avatars finally have legs on Quest, I will say that especially with the paid item store, it's odd to me that aren't any accessories for the avatar's hands (rings, bracelets, nails, tattoos, etc). You know, the first thing a user sees when they put on the headset..
@jenn_elias Jennifer E. on x
sorry i can't come to your function.. my legs are still in beta
@waifuverseai @waifuverseai on x
To me this says Meta will launch a full body tracking solution this year with the quest3. https://twitter.com/...
@lunayian Luna on x
Via Samulia, a much more polished Meta Quest 3 room mapping visualization found in the firmware. [video]
@lunayian Luna on x
Meta Quest v57 PTC finally adds legs to your Meta avatar :D [video]
@jacky2chau @jacky2chau on x
@Lunayian In V57 home enviroment， you can now teleport freely instead of based on points
@dsaxfilm Dale Saxton on x
@Lunayian Amazing! It's also ridiculous how big of a deal this is haha.
@lunayian Luna on x
The Direct Touch tablet has left experimental and is the default UX in Meta Quest v57 PTC. They've made some changes so that tablet is more comfortable for both touch and pointers too. You can still return to the old larger resizable panels by “switch view” in Quick Settings.
r/OculusQuest r on reddit
Quest PTC v57 is rolling out

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