SoftKinetic shows off gesture tech for augmented reality mobile platforms and robotics

SoftKinetic, which specializes in gesture recognition technology, has made the leap to mobile and robotics markets with its latest technology announcements.

The company revealed its 3D Vision technology for augmented reality mobile platforms and robotics at the 2015 International CES, the big tech trade show in Las Vegas this week. The tech will test how useful gesture technologies will be for controlling devices in the mobile world.

SoftKinetic makes hardware and software for DepthSense cameras, which can detect gestures that you make within a three-dimensional space. It has worked on the technology for years in the computer and home set-top box markets. But now it is taking the wraps off its short-range and long-range tech for mobile.

The Brussels, Belgium-based company will show its SoftKinetic’s DepthSense 3D Time of Flight (ToF) camera using the Qualcomm Vuforia mobile vision platform at CES. It will also show its DepthSense camera working with robots powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor.

“Augmented reality and robotics are such exciting arenas, with more and more technologies coming to market that support truly sophisticated capabilities for users to engage with the world around them in fun and beneficial ways,” said Michel Tombroff, CEO of SoftKinetic, in a statement. “Qualcomm’s Vuforia is a perfect example of a platform that allows our DepthSense technology to deliver at its fullest capacity, creating the most robust mobile AR experience available to anyone, anywhere.”

SoftKinetic said it will show a dense 3D reconstruction of a room-sized environment running entirely on a Snapdragon-powered device with the aid of a depth-sensing camera. This technology allows users to perform a wide variety of natural and photorealistic AR experiences, such as placing virtual furniture into the open space of an existing room to see exactly how it would function, or customizing toys and play within an augmented environment.

“Depth sensing technology is critical for us to enable the next generation of augmented reality experiences with Vuforia,” said Jay Wright, vice president of product management for Qualcomm Vuforia, in a statement. “Once integrated in devices, SoftKinetic’s DepthSense technology will enhance Vuforia Smart Terrain™ to provide experiences with much greater immersion and increased ease of use.”