Kids Get Up And Active With New Active Learning Console

gesturetek and PLAYSKOOL announce a new gesture recognition fullbody learning application that puts kids on tv - interacting with their favorite TV characters!

Toronto, Ontario – May 12, 2006 – GestureTek Inc., world leaders in computer vision for gesture based control of information and entertainment systems, announced today that Hasbro, Inc.’s PLAYSKOOL division has licensed GestureTek’s comprehensive video gesture control patent and technology to produce the ION EDUCATIONAL GAMING SYSTEM (E.G.S.). Utilizing GestureTek’s gesture-based control engine, and their rapid development game production capabilities, the ION E.G.S. will inspire kids to get up and get active alongside characters from some of their favorite TV shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, Blues Room, LazyTown and Dora the Explorer from Nickelodeon. The ION E.G.S. will be released later this year and GestureTek is excited to be showing it at the E3 expo, in Los Angeles – California, May 10th – 12th, 2006 - KENTIA HALL Booth #6736.

With ION E.G.S., kids, ages 4 to 7, see themselves on the family TV screen, as they move their entire bodies to participate in learning adventures focused on core preschool and elementary skills. A small camera built into the console’s base places the child onscreen and literally “in” the game—right next to some of today’s popular TV show characters. GestureTek’s patented, motion-capture technology translates body motion into game play, enabling kids to control the action with their bodies rather than through traditional game controllers.

 “With childhood obesity on the rise, Gesture Recognition is a logical evolution in educational gaming for children. Globally, our technology has been thrilling and entertaining people in both public and private installations since well before the movie “Minority Report” popularized the concept of gesture control. We are very pleased and excited to work with HASBRO to create a learning environment for kids that will enable active participation in edutainment. The ION E.G.S. is sure to be a winner in today’s market place,” says Bill Leckonby, CEO of GestureTek Inc.

“Parents shopping learning toys will find that the ION system is a more active and more engaging option than many of the other stationary learning products currently available,” said Brian Goldner, chief operating officer of Hasbro. “Not only have we delivered a product offering a different approach to learning, we’ve created a system that kids will absolutely love.” 

More on the ION E.G.S.

ION E.G.S. from PLAYSKOOL energizes kids with games, requiring coordination, balance and physical activity as they learn core skills like letters, numbers, colors, math, reading, spelling, cooperation and problem solving. The ION E.G.S. comes with a camera and plugs directly into a TV. The console runs on AC power via an adaptor that comes standard with the system. PLAYSKOOL obtained exclusive rights to develop and manufacture the ION E.G.S. and related products that are protected by a patent owned by GestureTek, Inc. The GestureTek patent encompasses a video image base control system that uses cameras to capture people’s images, allowing them to control a video game using gestures alone.

Slated for store shelves nationwide in August, the ION E.G.S. will retail for approximately $99.99 and comes with one Active Learning Disc with four sample games starring popular Nickelodeon characters. The product will launch at retail with four Active Learning Discs featuring Nickelodeon characters as well. Parents can choose between titles with learning content appropriate for kids ages 4 to 5 or 5 to 7. Each disc contains five games, and every game has three levels, allowing kids to increasingly strengthen their understanding of letters, numbers, colors, and other pre-literacy and math skills. Active Learning Discs will retail for an approximate retail price of $14.99 each.

About Hasbro

Hasbro (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.

About GestureTek

GestureTek (formerly known as Jestertek) is the world leader in computer vision for gesture based control of information and entertainment systems and displays. For over 15 years GestureTek’s gesture recognition technology has been employed in a wide array of applications and environments where the user is either stepping on or into interactive floor or wall projections, pointing at a display from any distance, or having their real-time actual video image immersed on the screen. Public installations and kiosks appear in multiple markets: museum and science centers, military control rooms, clean rooms, location based entertainment facilities, retail locations, physical rehabilitation programs, interactive billboards, and interactive floors and windows. Consumer applications include home PC, console gaming, toys and mobile devices.  GestureTek headquarters are in Silicon Valley, with additional offices in Toronto, Ottawa, New York City and Asia. For information and/or a DVD or video, contact GestureTek at 1-800-315-1189 ext. 273

For more information contact:

Patti Jordan
GestureTek Inc.
(416) 340-9290   x 274
patti.jordan@gesturetek.com