GestureTek and Xpletive Launch Immersive Virtual Reality Experience to Promote Vancouver 2010 Olympics
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Aug 19, 2008 – GestureTek Inc., world leader in gesture-driven user interfaces, and Xpletive, innovators of immersive applications using next-generation technologies, unveiled a space-age, custom-designed interactive attraction at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. GestureTek’s is the inventor and multiple patent holder of camera-enabled gesture control technology for interactive displays and entertainment experiences.
This cutting-edge immersive display, called the B.C. Explorer, was commissioned by the 2010 B.C. Olympic and Paralympic Games Secretariat to promote the Vancouver Winter Games and stimulate tourism and investment in Canada’s province of British Columbia.
The exhibit utilizes GestureTek’s patented hand tracking interface, robust visualization software, state-of-the-art 3D infrared camera technology, detailed geospatial data and a curved panoramic projection dome to immerse users in the exhilarating experience of flying over the province of British Columbia.
GestureTek’s system tracks hand movement in complete 3D space, capturing depth information with unparalleled accuracy and resolution. The effect is an incredibly authentic 3D interactive experience that can be delivered without the need for a remote or any other peripheral device.
Users interact with the B.C. Explorer with simple, intuitive gestures and control the experience by tilting, rotating or making a fist with their hand. “Flight Mode” lets users fly though lush forests, over mountains, along shorelines or through cities. Pushing the hand forward makes users fly faster. Tilting the hand sends users into a low flight pattern or a graceful arc across the sky. Making a fist stops the flight so that users can explore points of interest by playing full screen HD movies on the main screen in the user’s designated language.
“Never before have so many revolutionary technologies in video gesture control, electronic depth perception, immersion and modern aviation been integrated into one installation. The effect is a breathtaking immersive experience that rivals anything found in themed entertainment,” said Kelly Ellzey, President and Co-Owner of Xpletive.
GestureTek’s 3D Depth Sensing Solution Creates New Dimensions in Man-Machine Interface
GestureTek’s 3D image processing middleware can be integrated into any interactive solution to deliver the most advanced interactions possible between a user and the virtual world. The user interface can also be used to deploy 3D experiences on personal computers, game consoles, mobile devices, digital signs and other interactive computing surfaces. GestureTek’s patented 3D gesture control technology uses depth sensing cameras to measure ongoing changes in positioning and distance between the various aspects of a user’s image and/or other changes in the scene in order to process lifelike 3D images onscreen. Immersion technology even allows the user to see their real-time full-body video image onscreen, or a 3D avatar, as they interact dynamically with computer-generated characters, objects and icons in a three dimensional virtual world.
“The B.C. Explorer project was the world’s first commercial application of GestureTek’s 3D depth sensing technology, and its success will no doubt lead to other exciting opportunities for both GestureTek and Xpletive to apply this exciting technology in business and industry,” said Vincent John Vincent, President, GestureTek Inc. “GestureTek has created other exciting applications for our 3D tracking technology, including 3D avatar representation for information sharing, interactive immersive advertising and digital signage, virtual rehabilitation exercise programs for healthcare, and finger tracking ‘point to control’ applications.” According to Vincent, five kiosks will be deployed over the next year.
GestureTek’s full library of patents and technologies is available for license to developers and manufacturers of PCs, consoles and other electronics hardware, applications, appliances and peripherals. Current examples of licensees include Sony for the EyeToy, Microsoft for the XBOX 360, Hasbro for their ION Educational Gaming System, Reactrix for interactive advertising and NTT DoCoMo for their mobile handsets.
About GestureTek Inc.
GestureTek is the pioneer, patent-holder and world leader in gesture-recognition technologies and computer vision for information, presentation and entertainment systems. The company’s revolutionary video gesture control software lets users control interactive content, access information, manipulate special effects or immerse themselves in an interactive 3D virtual world - simply by moving their hands or body. In the past 20 years, GestureTek has delivered approximately 4,000 interactive displays, kiosks, exhibits, games and other interactive solutions for museums, science centers, location-based entertainment facilities, retail stores, tourism and hospitality venues, real estate presentation centers, corporate boardrooms and showrooms, television networks and game developers. The technology is also used by advertisers and marketers to make their digital signs and advertisements interactive and immersive. Healthcare organizations specializing in rehabilitation, sensory stimulation, activation and recreation also use GestureTek’s technology for virtual therapy. GestureTek’s clients include leading organizations and Fortune 500 companies such as CNN, NASA, BMW, Ford, Oracle, Intel, IBM, Federal Express, Autodesk and Panasonic. Software and patent licensees include Microsoft, Sony, Hasbro, Reactrix and NTT DoCoMo. GestureTek is headquartered in Silicon Valley, with additional offices in Toronto, Ottawa and Asia. Learn more at www.gesturetek.com or call (800) 315-1189.
About Xpletive
Xpletive is a full-service, turn-key new-media solution for location-based projects. Our studio evolved into a consummate blend of art and technology when we revolutionized immersive applications using Next-Generation technologies. We are just as adept at developing complex interactive projects with c-level programming as we are at creating stunning productions that include animation and visual effects. It is our philosophy at Xpletive that experiences should not be designed as merely delivery information vehicles but should rather inspire visitors to want to learn more. Over the last 10 years we have honed our skills on hundreds of ‘how it works’ shows for the likes of Discovery, History, Military and National Geographic Channels. Now we are focusing our energies on designing cutting-edge interactive media-rich experiences that spark the interest of the hard-to-reach 12-26 age group using technologies that speak to them such as the Sony PSP, Microsoft’s X-Box, and many others. Xpletive is headquartered in Glendale, CA. Learn more at www.xpletive.com or call (818) 957-0100.
For more information contact:
Patti Jordan, Director Mktg & Communications, GestureTek, 416-340-9290 x 274 patti.jordan@gesturetek.com
Jo Moore, Account Executive, SSPR, 719-578-9044 jmoore@sspr.com