XTR brings gesture controls to the masses

by Darius Chang |


BARCELONA--Though gesture-based input is not new, with Toshiba Qosmio G50 already sporting this feature since 2008, it required significant hardware resources and a Windows-based application. XTR's solution is not only simpler, requiring only a simple Webcam, the program works on desktop as well as smartphone platforms.

Interestingly enough, the application maps the body in 3D. XTR demonstrated this using a motorcross game where the user controlled the motorcycle by leaning left and right. For smartphones, the program can detect hand movements using the front-facing camera for navigation control.

As XTR is a middleware provider, they do not produce end-user programs but offer this technology to software houses to develop gesture-based applications. As such, there is no downloadable option for your current PC or smartphone. Still, we are looking forward to the first gesture-capable handset to hit our shores soon.

Darius Chang
About the author

Tracking laptop and PC trends since 2005, Darius Chang may have been knee deep in bits and bytes but is certainly not a binary person. Under that big and soft exterior holds a marshmallow core which dotes on his god-daughters and nephew. Suspected of ADD, his interests span disparate fields such as sustainability studies, diving, sports, politics, etc. A true jack of all trades, but master of one (maybe two).

Darius Chang, Senior Writer

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