Belgian Co. Sees More Than Games In 3-D Gesture Technology

By Gabriel Perna: Subscribe to Gabriel's RSS feed

July 22, 2010 9:20 PM EDT

So far 3-D gesturing technology has been known for advanced video game systems like the upcoming Xbox Kinect. But Brussels-based Softkinetic sees it as more than child's play.

Softkinetic Vice President of Marketing, Virgile Delporte, said 3-D gesturing can be used to change the channel on a TV without a remote, display interactive advertisements, and even help someone rehabilitate a serious injury. The last, he said, could actually change lives.

Softkinetic teamed with a company called Silverfit to create games that can help rehabilitate serious injuries. Some games are as simple as having someone walk in place. But while the person walks, a representation on the TV screen walks along a crowded sidewalk. If something gets in its way, he or she may have to stop.

"The games take advanced gesturing technology and provide amusement and fun for people doing regular rehab routines. Doctors actually endorse these technologies because they are not only more fun than regular rehab routines, they are much faster too. They get to smile and have fun rather than having to go through the same old routine," Delporte said.

3-D sensory cameras, combined with specialized software called "IISU" -- for Interface Is U -- use complex algorithms to identify locations of body parts. That in turn is translated to the screen and the game environment.

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Softkinetic has turned 3-D gesturing into an art form for ambitious application developers, who have moved beyond the first-person shooter. Users can fly in the air or pretend they are a Tetris piece.

The latest wave of 3-D gesturing games tackles another health-related issue: fitness.

"Fitness is one of the natural areas for the 3-D gesturing games. You've seen it with the Nintendo Wii. With 3-D technology, it can track precisely what people do and tell them if it's wrong. That's a major category you'll see," Delporte said.

Similarly, Delporte also sees a wave of sports games using the 3-D gesturing technology. SoftKinetic did something like this when it worked with Sprint to create a simulated NFL quarterback experience. At the home stadium of the Indianapolis Colts, it created a game set up where users can drop back and throw a pass and watch as their avatar does it on screen.

Softkinetic's 3-D gesturing technology has also been used in interactive display advertisements. It teamed with Inwindow Outdoor to create an interactive billboard for Disney's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice."

The company's also wants to eliminate the common problem of losing the remote for the TV. The solution is simple: there won't be one. "There is so much information you want on a TV now that the old remote control is naturally dead. Searching for information using a gesture controlled interface makes life easier," Delporte said.

Users browse through an interface where they can personalize their viewing experience, change the channel, adjust the volume and manage pictures and videos, just through gestures.

"It's stunning when you use it the first time, it works so well. You get so much precision when you are navigating with your hands. It confirms the technology is ready today," Delporte said.

This article is copyrighted by International Business Times, the business news leader