Omek Brings Gesture Recognition and Body Tracking Support to Texas Instruments (TI) OMAP3530 Processors

SAN FRANCISCO and NURNBERG, Germany, March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Omek Interactive, the leading provider of tools that add gesture recognition and body tracking to applications and devices, today announced that it has collaborated with Texas Instruments (TI) to provide support for the TI OMAP3530 processor. The OMAP3530 is a system-on-a-chip (SoC) combining an ARM® Cortex™-A8 processor with a TMS320C64x+™ digital signal processor (DSP) from TI, which constitutes a very attractive choice for hardware manufacturers seeking an embedded processor solution able to support natural user interface capabilities.

Omek's middleware utilizes the distributed architecture of the OMAP3530, running background subtraction and skeleton tracking on the DSP, and the gesture recognition layer on the ARM processor. Omek's implementation on the OMAP3530 works with all of the major depth sensors and cameras, giving device manufacturers a flexible solution for building products that can run gesture-enabled graphical user interfaces, applications and games without taxing other processors in those devices.

"The excitement around gesture-based and body-tracking gaming has demonstrated the consumer appeal for natural user interfaces," said Gershom Kutliroff, chief technology officer of Omek. "This new implementation means that these capabilities are available to any hardware manufacturer, whether they are making consoles, TV sets, computers, set-top boxes, or interactive marketing installations. Support for TI processors is an important step in the expansion of the natural user interface market, empowering developers, as well as end-users. "

Game and application developers can utilize Omek's Shadow Development Suite™ to build software and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for devices incorporating the OMAP3530, as well as for personal computers (PCs) and other supported platforms. The Shadow Suite provides support for a wide range of development environments and operating systems and provides rapid development tools for defining gestures for use in applications.

"Getting natural user interface applications to customers quickly is essential for leadership in this market," said Jean-Marc Darchy, C6000 new end equipments manager, TI. "Omek and TI have a technology that works with many types of applications, and with any camera. Most importantly, Omek understands that rapid development tools are necessary, and is providing them now. New, innovative applications require rapid learning of new movements. We consider Omek a leader in showing how easy it can be to develop natural user interface applications in this new world."

The addition of gesture-based interfaces into televisions, set-top boxes, game consoles and other consumer electronics devices is creating entirely new platforms for developers of games and applications. Gesture recognition and body tracking are being utilized by Omek's network of developers in areas as far-ranging as games, fitness, physical therapy, simulations, arcade gaming, interactive digital signs and public information displays.

"Natural human interfaces will be as important as the mouse was in redefining how humans interact with machines and will be used in a much broader array of devices," said Jonathan Epstein, president of Omek. "By extending our support to a key embedded processor solution, we are expanding the market opportunities for the gaming and application developer communities, and providing device manufacturers with an important, new alternative for powering natural human interfaces."

About Omek

Omek is transforming the way people interact with their devices and applications, by providing tools and technology that enable manufacturers and software developers to add natural user interfaces (NUIs) to their products. Omek's gesture recognition and body tracking software is being incorporated into TVs, set-top boxes, computers and peripherals, interactive signs, medical and fitness devices, and into the content and applications that run on these devices. Omek's tools work with all major 3D cameras, and support a broad range of processors and operating systems – giving customers the flexibility to take advantage of the latest technology, while maintaining portability for their applications. A privately held company, Omek is headquartered in Bet Shemesh, Israel, and has offices in San Francisco, Seattle and Tokyo. For more information, visit www.omekinteractive.com.

© 2011 Omek Interactive, Ltd. All rights reserved. Omek, the Omek logo, Shadow Development Suite, Shadow SDK, Shadow Engine, Beckon Gesture Authoring Toolkit, Beckon Gesture Pack, and The Future Beckons are trademarks or registered trademarks of Omek Interactive, Ltd. All other names are trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Omek Interactive