Today, Metrological Innovations, Softkinetic and Optrima announced a partnership to “offer set-top-box and television manufacturers an integrated 3D gesture-based solution that will transform home entertainment.” Softkinetic and Optrima’s technology will become a part of Metrological’s Mediaconnect TV system, allowing the company to provide their worldwide user base with 3D gestured-based interfaces, games, and applications.
Softkinetic will be providing the 3D gesture-recognition software with their ‘iisu’ platform, while Optrima’s 3D and RGB Optricam will become the input device for the system. Both companies are leaders in their field with Softkinetic’s patented tech being well-optimized to consume fewer resources in set-top boxes. The OptriCam utilizes Optrima’s patented DepthSense technology, allowing it to remain highly optimal at a reduced resource cost.
The joint tech reference kits will be available to developers in the fall of 2010. Developers will be able to use the kits to create new motion-controlled games and applications that remain compatible with all Intel-based platforms that use the Metrological OS. In addition, Softkinetic’s iisu will support all available 3D cameras, so developers will not remain hardware locked.
“Metrological has developed a powerful, highly interactive digital home entertainment solution that enables the delivery and consumption of rich, interactive, high-quality content at home,” said Softkinetic CEO Michel Tombroff. “By partnering with Metrological, we can provide 3D gesture-based entertainment content without the need for an expensive, proprietary video game console.”
“Metrological’s leading software platform combines all of the features of interactive television into a single convenient and easy to use package,” said Metrological founder Albert Dahan. “The addition of 3D gesture-recognition capabilities gives Mediaconnect TV users with the most exciting interactive experience any digital entertainment device currently has to offer. We are excited to partner with Softkinetic and Optrima to make this possible.”
Metrological aims for their Mediaconnect TV to be the single point in which television, internet, and gaming converge. The addition of 3D gesture technology allows them to also position themselves as a video conferencing solution. Is Mediaconnect the ultimate set-top box for the future, or will Microsoft’s Xbox 360 & Kinect combination keep them out of the running? Only time will tell. Mediaconnect TV will see a retail release in Europe soon, with a North American release this fall.
