For months we've been hearing about Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo's plans for the casual game market. Sony is improving upon Nintendo's motion controller with a more accurate device, Microsoft is attempting to remove the controller entirely, and Nintendo is talking about the HD marketplace. It's beginning to sound a lot less like innovation and more like a closed circle of one-upping.
So, it doesn't exactly come as a surprise to find out that Sony may have their own controller-free gaming device, ala Project Natal, in the oven; though, we're willing to admit we might be getting a bit ahead of ourselves.
MoreAt the recent Vision 2009 tradeshow in Stuttgart, Germany, Sony demoed a hands-free device, similar to the screens Tom Cruise played with in Minority Report, that allowed the user to manipulate computer windows through hand and finger gestures without physically making contact with any surface. Among other features, the system uses high-sensitivity cameras that capture, facial recognition, as well as slight movements, translating the action in real-time to the screen. Check out the video of the device.
Httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap0HKyNf3y4
There are plenty of applications for the technology and a company as large as Sony certainly wouldn't be limited to games - we're thinking gesture based DVDR programming or, with the H1N1 virus making the rounds, maybe touch-free theater kiosks are in order? No matter what the ultimate application, it's hard to imagine that a successful implementation of Project Natal, wouldn't mean the impending release of a similar Sony product.
Unless of course Apple trumps everyone with the release of iProject WiiHD Motion Touch 4 - the next next-generation console.
How would you like to see the new Sony camera tech implemented?
Source: The Guardian