Wii-like control tech for Western mobile devs

Canadian technology outfit GestureTek, which has already provided gesture-based controls to Sony’s EyeToy, is looking to deliver motion-sensing mobile tech it has rolled out in Japan to developers around the world.

As reported in the latest issue of Develop’s sister magazine Mobile Entertainment, earlier this year the firm launched a mobile version of its technology, called EyeMobileEngine, which NTT DoCoMo built into its Panasonic P904i and Sharp SH904i handsets – over one million of the devices have been sold and DoCoMo has around 70 ‘Chokkan’ motion-sensitive games available.

EyeMobile uses the phone’s camera to recognise and respond to hand and body movement, which means handset firms don’t need to add new technology to allow for motion-sensing.

GestureTek is now preparing to push the technology around the world. It already signed a partnership with Telefonica to make motion-sensitive games available across the Spanish operator’s global network and is talking to Hands-On to aid its reach out to smaller developers. The firm has a history in working with American carriers on innovative phone games, also, having produced a handful of titles for Verizon including 3D Tilt A World and Camera Phone Darts.

Ed Fowlwer, GM of GestureTek, told ME: "Our experiences with DoCoMo in Japan and Verizon Wireless in the US prove to us just how huge the potential is for what we call ‘shake, rock and roll’ technology. I think it could have a huge impact on the mobile gaming space."