Of course we almost missed that experience altogether because the building housing the Gesturetek offices was under construction. We couldn't see it from the car at all, not even the numbers on the building. After driving around in circles, which was actually squares because of one way streets, the bane of my driving existence, for 15 minutes we finally saw a parking spot.
But of course it was already taken! By Killian and her own band of merry travellers. Darn! But at least Jeff and I were no longer alone. We found a spot in the lot across the street and more importantly I didn't have to give the creepily happy parking guy my car keys.
So we started walking...the wrong way. Until a helpful stranger showed us the way. I'd like to point out, Jeff's artist rendering of the helpful stranger since it is a timeless piece of beauty.
Eventually arriving at Gesturetek we were escorted to the back room and the rest of the class.
Vincent John Vincent, President and Founder of Gesturetek and holder of the coolest name in the room, showed us around the lab.
One of the things I found interesting was the different types of cameras used for gesture technology. For instance they have single camera capture systems that allow one point of contact within the matrix. Multi-touch systems which use two cameras allow users to have a point of contact within the matrix for each hand. Multi-touch is also a system created by two US researchers designed to promote less repetitive strain injuries associated with prolonged keyboard and mouse use. Check the links at the end for more on that piece of tech. Anyway, the multi-touch system allows much more creativity in programming and gives the user a lot more control.
Speaking of control, something else I found interesting was the fact that gesture technology can control any size screen from any distance, meaning that they really can bring big ideas into reality.
Photo time! Here a lovely photo of delicious irony taken by Jeff Winkworth, showing the height of technological achievement...and what are we doing with it? Playing pong. It just doesn't get any better than that.
And here is another nice shot taken by Killian, of all the power required to run Gesturetek's fancy technology. I call it, "Fire Hazard at Gesturetek."VJV also told the class about the different uses for Gesturetek's technology.
GesturetekHealth is a division of Gesturetek which uses their technology to help with rehab services. Patients who have to under go physical therapy, use gesture technology to make the therapy more fun. According to Vincent John Vincent, hence forth known as VJV, this technology is being used today in 30 different health/rehab companies and in improves the length of time patients spend on their therapy by 33%. Which is quite significant if you think about it.
Weather Services International is another company that uses Gesture Technology. You may not realize it but some Meteorologists use it in their weather forecasts. When they stand in front of a green screen and move their hands they can cue different weather patterns and effects, such as a cold front moving over the region.
Gesturetek has also done a lot of work in Japan. They created a Japanese TV show, called Nick Arcade in which characters ran around on a green screen which put them into an arcade type game which was broadcast on television.
They have just launched a series of games for Japanese cellphones. Apparently there is approximately 100 games that have been developed that require the user to either gesture in front of their cell phone to move pieces in the game or tilt and twist their cell phone to move elements on the screen. This is yet another division of Gesturetek called GesturetekMobile.
One of the games VJV mentioned by name was Katamari Damacy. Which at best is an unusual game. Basically, your father, the King of all Cosmos has destroyed the moon and the stars. That's what you get when you're bored and have unlimited power. Anyway, you are his son who is tasked with recreating the moon and the stars. How? Well you push around around this super adhesive ball called a katamari, you roll it around and around cities and country sides picking up everything from nails to school children to double decker buses. Once the ball is large enough you can take it up into space and create a star. And that's it...so yah the game isn't for everyone. Final Thoughts:
I did find the field trip interesting but my opinion of gesture technology hasn't really changed. I know that Gesturetek has 1600 offices world wide and are probably raking in the dough. But I don't see the technology as anything more than a passing fad.
It’s cool and “gimmicky” but the practical applications don't really extend to the everyday user. Meteorologists and rehab patients aside who is really using this technology? I know that the deal with the Japanese cell phone company is probably netting Gesturetek millions but I still don't see the value of it. I've played one type of game they mentioned, which is rotating, twisting and turning to make an object on the screen movie. The game I played on Gameboy Advance was called Yoshi Topsy Turvy. And after two levels I found it thoroughly irritating. I find that type of game control very limiting and repetitive.
Look at the Wii. It’s a good family console, lots of fun for parties and groups etc. But what about the everyday use? I like my Wii, but I haven’t played a ton of games on it. I have played games that are specially designed to work with the gesture technology on it. Like Wii sports and Trauma Center: Second Opinion. And that’s only every now and then when I feel like something different. But the everyday games like Spider-man, Paper Mario, Darkness etc, I play on other consoles or ignore altogether. How frustrating, tiring and boring would it be to have to web-sling across New York by swinging your arm back and forth? Playing that same game on X-box 360 I traveled over 200 miles web-slinging. If I had done that on the Wii my arm would have fallen off.
In my mind, gesture technology will never become mainstream. But godspeed to the good folks at Gesturetek for turning it into a lucrative business. And here are some links:
Linkage:
Weather Services International
Multi-touch
Gesture Recognition Technology
Expanding Gesture Technology Beyond the Eyetoy
