Hillcrest Labs Selected by TCL to Bring Motion, Gesture and Cursor Control to Android(TM)-Powered Smart TVs

written by: Richard Kastelein

Details

Published on Monday, 28 May 2012 12:01

Hillcrest Labs today announced that TCL Multimedia ("TCL"), one of China's leading TV and consumer electronics brands, is using Hillcrest's patented Freespace(R) motion software for TCL's Android(TM)-based Smart TVs, including its flagship V7500 Android 4.03 Smart TV, and motion sensing remotes. The Smart TV system will be available in China this month and in other markets later this year. TCL and Hillcrest have entered into a worldwide license agreement for TCL to use Hillcrest's Freespace in-air pointing and motion control solution in current and future products.

TCL Android Smart TVs and motion remotes feature Hillcrest's Freespace MotionEngine(TM) Smart TV software and Freespace Gesture Recognition Engine, which enable motion, gesture and cursor control to be used to navigate and interact with an array of Smart TV content. This includes the TV menus, Web browser, games, and a wide variety of Android applications. The Freespace MotionEngine Smart TV software provides precise motion data for mouse-like point-and-click functionality, and motion gaming applications. The Freespace Gesture Recognition Engine allows users to perform simple gestures to accomplish various tasks, which can include virtual controls such as twisting the remote to adjust volume, as well as alpha-numeric in-air gestures to change channels, switch applications or function as passwords to login to individual user accounts.

"As China's market leader in Smart TVs and consumer electronics, we are proud to work with TCL and contribute to its line of Android-powered Smart TVs," said Chad Lucien, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Hillcrest Labs. "Together, we are providing more compelling options and a simpler user interface for Smart TV users. Our collaborative efforts are a concrete example that high-precision, inertial motion technology is the ideal choice for Smart TV user interface navigation, motion gaming, gesture control, and more."

"Our flagship TCL V7500 Smart TV and our Android Smart TV product line have set a new standard for innovation in the Chinese market," said Warren Wang, General Manager of LCD Business Unit at TCL. "As a world leader in motion software and products, Hillcrest's Freespace technology and expertise exceeded our high standards for both quality and innovation. We are proud to collaborate with Hillcrest to provide revolutionary yet intuitive user experiences for our Smart TV users."