motion tracking
Latest
Sony's Mocopi avatar motion-capture system is coming to the US
Sony just announced North American availability for its unique Mocopi motion-tracking system. The tools allow you to control digital avatars in real-time using full body movement, thanks to six motion sensors and a proprietary smartphone app. In addition to real-time control, this translated body movement can be used in videos and 3D animations, via an SDK that imports motion data into related apps.
Sky UK releases a motion-tracking webcam for TV watch parties
UK broadcaster Sky has unveiled a Facebook webcam device called Sky Live designed to add features like watch parties with friends.
Carbon's Trainer is a smart mirror designed to deliver guided workouts
Carbon’s Trainer smart mirror is now available for pre-order at $1,750 on Indiegogo.
D-Link brings AI-powered person detection to its home security cameras
Ahead of CES, D-Link is bringing new features to its home security cameras. Today, the company announced that its devices can now detect people and breaking glass. The added capabilities are powered by AI that runs on the edge, and D-Link says it's able to provide faster, more accurate results than it would with cloud-powered AI.
Engadget giveaway: win an iPad mini 3 courtesy of Blast Motion!
Is that cross fit regimen working? Perhaps that batting cage practice is paying off or you're lofting those dunks better than ever. Capturing the action on video will tell part of the story, but adding stats or instant slow-mo edits can add a whole new dimension. Blast Motion is a 3D motion capture sensor that works alongside video to help analyze performance by tracing factors like vertical height, rotation, acceleration and more through a variety of custom apps depending on your sport. It plays well with iOS, so the company provided us with one of Apple's iPad mini 3 slates along with Blast Motion's Athletic Performance package so one lucky Engadget reader can start getting their stunts on film. Metrics from all your jump shots, swings, leaps and flips are ready to view in chart form to help trace your progress over time and if you're particularly impressed with yourself, it's easy to share your exploits through social media. In order to take Blast Motion's sensor and a new iPad mini 3 for a spin, all you need to do head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning. Winner: congratulations to Chris C. of Torrance, CA.
Engadget giveaway: win a pair of motion-tracking wearables courtesy of Moov!
It's the hump day of seasons, as it were, and soon many of us will be trying to make up for overindulgence during the dark days of winter. Not to worry, Moov is a fitness wearable that can help you get back in shape using AI technology and motion-tracking in addition to basic activity stats. That extra info transforms the Moov app into your own personal fitness coach, delivering commentary and advice to help fine-tune your workout in real-time. Custom experiences include running, swimming, boxing and cardio workouts, with more on the way to cover yoga, golf and cycling. Strap them on your ankle or shoe for details on cadence and landing impact or put them on each wrist to track the speed and power behind your punches. Moov has provided us with three sets of trackers for a trio of lucky Engadget readers this week to help burn those accumulated calories or simply improve on an existing workout. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning a pair of these wearables along with a digital coach to help you look good and feel good. Winners: congratulations to Matt P. of Canton MI., Scott R. of Lafayette LA. and Darren P of Gahanna OH.
Engadget giveaway: win a PS4 or Xbox One courtesy of Mad Genius Controllers!
There's a new game controller in town and Mad Genius hopes you won't take the news sitting down, because it's all about motion control and expanding the scope of your game beyond the couch. The Mad Genius Controller, which recently launched on Kickstarter, is offering precision motion control that's compatible with any game or console. While it works in normal controller mode, its magnetically connected halves can be split to enable motion tracking features. Aiming guns and bows is said be done with 1/100th inch accuracy and it can translate a player's movement throughout the room to the on-screen character. The device can also be programmed so that certain movements can trigger combos and holster-reaching motions could replace digging into menus to access weapons. Since the Kickstarter is still underway, Mad Genius wanted to prep two lucky Engadget readers for its arrival with a giveaway for two consoles this week. Along with Mad Genius t-shirts, one winner will receive a PS4 Destiny Bundle and the other will get an Xbox One along with Titanfall. To get in on this opportunity, just head on down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning one of these consoles. Winners: congratulations to Vladimir K. of Davis, CA and Kevin S. of Rosemount, MN.
LeapTV combines Wii-style controls with educational games
Plopping kids down in front of the boob tube can be a great way for parents to snatch a few seconds of peace, but now kids can be entertained with LeapFrog's LeapTV active video game console. The company's been known for its educational tablets, but now there's a bit more calorie burning involved. The LeapTV uses motion tracking and a unique controller to let kids jump, dance and generally wild out as they work through nearly 100 "educator-approved" games and videos. A TV-mountable camera captures movement for hands-free gameplay. Kids will be able to defend goals, scuba dive, run, hop and karate chop. There's also a Bluetooth controller with a mini joystick and A/B buttons, which can also be transformed into a pointer for Wii-style control. Games come as proprietary cartridges or can be downloaded over WiFi, using the console's 16GB of on-board storage. The system was designed for children ages three to eight and games adapt for each child's level, with reading, math, science and problem solving challenges. The LeapTV will cost $150/£120 and is scheduled to arrive in time for the holiday season, so you still have time to make space in that crowed media center. Update: The Leap TV is now available. In time for the holiday season as promised.
Audience's new motion sensing chip lets your phone track longer, more detailed runs
Not been seduced by the quantified self movement yet? Well if it's ever going to happen, it'll be thanks to companies like Audience. More specifically, thanks to products like its new MQ100 motion processor. What does it do? Well the MQ100 allows for always-on motion tracking, similar to how its existing VoiceQ product enables mobile devices to "listen" for your voice commands, even when in standby. As the new sensor relieves the host device's main processor of these motion-sensing duties, it opens the door for constant activity tracking, without the battery drain -- similar to how Apple implemented its M7 motion sensor in the iPhone 5s. The MQ100 has an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetic and other "environmental" sensors at its disposal, which makes it ideal for fitness tracking, indoor mapping, and a whole host of other sensory, movement-related applications. The MQ100 will also be bundled into a more complete sensor package that uses all of Audience's mobile technology (it's eS700 range for those that need to know) which could mean a chip that listens for your commands, tracks movement all day, reduces wind noise in calls and more. Yup, your phone is about to get to know you and your walking/talking habits a whole lot better. Especially once it starts finding its way to the manufacturers' labs in the next few months.
Sixense STEM System hits Kickstarter, funded almost immediately
Sixense, the motion control technology company whose scientific know-how powers the Razer Hydra, launched a Kickstarter earlier today to fund the final development stages of its STEM System – a modular motion-tracking solution for VR and other gaming applications. The fundraising campaign's goal of $250,000 has already been surpassed. Consisting of up to five wireless tracking modules ("STEMs") and a base station for charging and orientation tracking, the STEM System is designed so that STEMs can either be inserted into peripherals, or slapped into "STEM Packs," which are then strapped to whatever part of your body the game is interested in tracking. The STEM System is also backwards compatible with all games that currently support the Razer Hydra. The technology is apparently immune to "drift," as it "does not rely on inertial sensors (gyroscopes and accelerometers) for position tracking," according to the Kickstarter. Additionally, there's no line-of-sight requirement between the STEMs and their base unit. Backers that pledge at a high-enough level ($199 and up, depending on how many STEMs you want) should expect to receive their own STEM System in July of 2014, though there's no indication that this is when retail units will hit shelves. In fact, Kickstarter proceeds are only being used to finish development and produce enough units for backers – retail models will enter mass production "later." Our friends over at Engadget have already had a go with a STEM System prototype, so be sure and check out their video of the experience for an in-depth look at what the dealio, yo.
Leap Motion used for legitimate air drumming, authentic instrument control
Hacking Kinect might get you access to an audible air guitar, but Stephane Berscot can do you one better -- tweaking the pitch of a tangible axe via Leap Motion's virtual work space. Berscot configured a Leap tweak his guitar's pitch based on the instrument's position over the device. That's not all, either, the makeshift MIDI controller also functions as a keyboard equalizer and a set of functional air drums. Combining all three tricks together scored Berscot a pretty mean demo track, but it's apparently a lot harder than it looks. "It wasn't easy to play drums with it," he said, explaining how he had to detect beats based tracking the upward and downward velocity of the drumstick. "My method is pretty basic and still needs some work." Even so, the demo definitely shows the device's potential. Skip on past the break to see Berscot kick out the jams.
Mosoro releases its Bluetooth LE sensors and SDK for VIP appcessory developers
Since we last heard about Mosoro's Lego-brick sized Bluetooth LE modules, they've changed their names, picked up another member and are now making their way to iOS app developers. The 3D-Motion's got an accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer, while the Enviro measures temperature, humidity and barometric pressure. New to the team is Proximity, useful for triggering location-based apps and tracking motion for creating alerts. All three rechargeable Bluetooth low energy sensors have "shake-to-wake" support, an RGB "glow-cap" for notifications and a humble programmable button. They are expected to hit retail in fall 2012, but "VIP" app developers can grab them now, as well as the SDK which simplifies iOS Bluetooth integration. Got the ideas and inclination to become one of Mosoro's "rock star app-developer partners?" Then go sign up on the website and see if you make the VIP grade.
Second Story uses Kinect for augmented shopping, tells us how much that doggie is in the window (video)
Second Story isn't content to leave window shoppers guessing at whether or not they can afford that dress or buy it in mauve. A new project at the creative studio uses the combination of a Kinect for Windows sensor with a Planar LookThru transparent LCD enclosure to provide an augmented reality overlay for whatever passers-by see inside the box. The Microsoft peripheral's face detection keeps the perspective accurate and (hopefully) entrances would-be customers. Coming from an outlet that specializes in bringing this sort of work to corporate clients, the potential for retail use is more than a little obvious, but not exclusive: the creators imagine it also applying to art galleries, museums and anywhere else that some context would come in handy. If it becomes a practical reality, we're looking forward to Second Story's project dissuading us from the occasional impulse luxury purchase.
RIM patent uses motion, CAPTCHAs to stop texting while driving, shows a fine appreciation of irony
More and more people understand that texting while driving is a bad idea, but RIM has just been granted a patent that would have smartphones step in before things get out of hand. Going beyond just filtering inbound messages like some motion-based lockdown apps, the BlackBerry maker's invention also turns off the creation of any outbound messages as long as the phone is moving within a given speed range. The override for the lock is the dictionary definition of ironic, however: the technique makes owners type out the answer to a CAPTCHA challenge onscreen, encouraging the very problem it's meant to stop. As much as we could still see the hassle being enough to deter some messaging-addicted drivers, we have a hunch that the miniscule hurdle is a primary reason why the 2009-era patent hasn't found its way into a shipping BlackBerry. Maybe RIM should have chronic texters solve a Rubik's Cube instead.
Winscape virtual window makes the leap to Kinect in 4K-capable, 6-screen glory (video)
RationalCraft brought its surreal Winscape virtual window to market when the Wii was virtually the only game in town for affordable motion tracking. Microsoft's Kinect has certainly changed the rules of the game since then, so it's almost natural that a fourth-generation Winscape has just launched to make use of the much more sophisticated sensor. For a start, there's no need to dress like Flavor Flav anymore: the camera can recognize anyone, even passers-by, without an oversized necklace. The larger-than-life footage used to generate the window effect has been given its own bump, too, and the app can now handle 4K video as long as the Mac underneath (sorry, Windows folks) is powerful enough to drive it. For those who truly want to be disconnected from reality, there's even six-display support provided it's all hooked up to a Mac Pro and a pair of three-output Radeon HD 5770 video cards. RationalCraft's software is free to try out now, although the requirement for at least two big TVs, a Kinect controller and a fast Mac should say all there is to know about the practical cost of pretending the Golden Gate Bridge is visible from inside a living room in Cleveland.
$129 Swivl-it is a cheaper motion-tracking dock for your smartphone, ditches built-in mic
If you're aching to bring some motion-tracking video action to your smartphone but can't stomach the Swivl's $179 price tag, you might find the new Swivl-it more palatable. For $129, you get the same automatic panning, horizontal follow and remote control features of the original product, but you'll miss out on the built-in microphone and automatic tilt (there's manual tilt instead). The Swivl-it is available for pre-order now and will start shipping in late May. Click through to the Swivl site for a closer look.
Swivl motion-tracking dock now shipping to early adopters, future YouTube stars
Good news are in for folks who swiftly snagged one of those motion-tracking docks we showed you a while back, as they are now being prepped for shipping. After many months of teasing, it looks like the Satarii Star Swivl is finally getting ready to leave its prototype days behind. Those who unleashed the hefty $179 on the add-on can expect it to be on its way as soon as today. As for the ones who missed out on the first batch, you'll have to get in line and sign up via the company's site to know when more pop up. Also available now is a companion iOS app, which can be used to remotely trigger the camera for some self-recording action. We know you've waited long enough to take the Swivl for a spin, but in the meantime you can remind yourself why you bought in by peeking at the flaunting press shots below.
Microsoft TechForum unveils three research projects (video)
TechForum is a Microsoft-sponsored shindig where the company can get together, party, and then show off its latest and greatest research projects. First up we've got a transparent interactive 3D display which builds on technology from Cambridge University's HoloDesk project. Next is Holoflector, a "magic mirror" that overlays LCD projections onto your reflection. Both of these two projects rely heavily upon Kinect as more projects find the potential in the little sensor. Finally there's Illumishare, a pair of overhead projectors / cameras that share a desktop space with a colleague when you need to look at the same thing. After the break you can see all three concepts in action and you can learn a little more about each at our source links.[Thanks, Lokitoth]
Swivl intros companion iPhone app, we make sweet video with it
Sure, when we first encountered the device formerly known as Satarii Star it may have been a pipe dream in dire need of funding (and frankly a better name), but after playing with the company's latest Swivl prototype we can confirm it's very much real and honestly, pretty darn cool. For those unaware, the $159 "dock" of sorts, rotates whatever you stuff into it a full 360-degrees all while chasing a portable marker. New today, is an accompanying iPhone app that can remotely trigger recording from the marker all while including other niceties like the ability to lock focus during capture. So how did we get along with our limited time with the startup's latest prototype? Hop on past the break to find out. %Gallery-142160%%Gallery-142167%
