GDC: OpenNI readies ‘natural interaction’ dev contest

Gesture control organisation OpenNI is challenging developers with a new contest conceived to promote the creation of apps for ‘natural interaction’ devices.

Natural interaction refers to system that like Kinect offer end users controller-free, gesture-based games and applications.

The competition, spearheaded by Asus and PrimeSense is looking for apps developed for three distinct categories using the free OpenNI open source framework, which provides an API for writing applications that make use of natural interaction.

The three categories are ‘Apps for Kids Under Age 10’, ‘Online Shopping for Smart TVs’ and ‘Photo Tools’.

The winning developer of an app from each category will receive a fully paid trip to the entertainment and technology conference IBC 2012 in Amsterdam, with flights and hotel covered.

The OpenNI organisation is an industry-led, not-for-profit collective formed to promote and establish the compatibility and interoperability of natural interaction devices, applications and middleware.

PrimeSense was fundamental in developing the technology inside Kinect. Asus manufactures its own NI input hardware, the XtionPro sensor (pictured).

Entries can be submitted from April 1st. For more information visit the OpenNI Challenge website.

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