Partners With RAW Design Architectural Firm for Interactive Entrance Display That Transforms Ideas Through Technology

Christie®, a global visual technology company, will demonstrate its powerful digital visual display capabilities that are transforming the architectural/design, retail, and corporate branding display industries at Canada’s largest contemporary design fair, the Interior Design Show (IDS), January 26 to 29, at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto.  The multi-faceted entrance installation, “StripTease”, designed by RAW Design, will feature the latest in projection and an ingenious, two-sided Christie® MicroTiles® configuration with interactive capabilities provided by GestureTek® and Acid Technologies, for creating a blend of high touch and high tech.

As an integral part of the StripTease entrance display at IDS, the two-sided Christie MicroTiles design evokes a city skyline with 50 Christie MicroTiles and two external control units (ECUs) that drive the interactive content, camera-enabled, gesture-recognition technology from GestureTek, with content developed by Acid Integrations.  The projection element consists of 1,300 individual strips of felt that create the 52-foot-by-19-foot “screen” with front-projection using two Christie Roadster S+22K-J 3-chip DLP® digital projectors capable of delivering brightness levels of 20,000 ANSI lumens.  Show visitors will experience a live video camera feed of themselves interacting with the content on the Christie MicroTiles. Conceived by Canadian architectural firm RAW Design, it is the first installation of its kind at IDS that integrates visually dynamic content with interactively playful technologies.

“RAW is delighted to be working with Christie using their projection solutions to add an additional layer of enjoyment onto our StripTease felt installation.  The incorporation of an interactive component using their MicroTiles adds a particular richness to the experience, with its potential for rotating through digital art across an expansive and malleable canvas,” said Roland Rom Colthoff, principal architect and partner at Raw Design. “We particularly like the fact that the shape of the images on the MicroTiles are not limited to simple rectangles but can take on complex shapes to suit the designer’s vision.”

Coltholff added: “MicroTiles are interesting because they allow for changeable images that can be manipulated individually or in any combination without having to fit discreetly into a screen or one frame.  We look forward to engaging visitors by the playful interplay between the projected images and the MicroTiles.”

“The old saying, ‘you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression,’ has never been truer than at IDS,” said Shauna Levy, Vice President of MMPI Canada and Director of the Interior Design Show and IDS Week. “A signage concept must meet the highest standards of innovation and art to dazzle and amaze design professionals, savvy consumers, and media converging at the show. In StripTease, Raw Design, with Christie  and other partners, have created a visually compelling installation that fully delivers the ‘wow’ factor and effectively sets the tone for the astounding range of innovative displays to be found inside.”

At IDS, Christie is introducing its Christie MicroTiles technology to the Canadian design community – the architects and designers who imagine solutions to achieve almost any design element installed in virtually any indoor space  – whether it be a museum, a condo building or corporate lobby, a fashion show, or retail display. Christie MicroTiles offer spectacular color and image quality, modular flexibility and maximum creativity. They are also a green solution – RoHS compliant, an important consideration when many of today’s builds require LEED certification.

Many of Christie’s award-winning turnkey signage solutions are also 2012 Apex Award Finalists, for Digital Signage Expo 2012 in March.  They are found in diverse venues such as Calgary’s Telus Spark, The New Science Centre, Fresh® beauty stores, the London Stock Exchange, the HP Pavilion at San Jose, and Milan Design Week, where Christie partnered with BlackBerry® PlayBook™ to help British lighting and furniture company Tom Dixon realize its highly praised Multiplex exhibition last year.

About RAW

Spearheaded by architect Roland Rom Colthoff, RAW is one of Toronto’s fastest growing architecture studios.  Since being named Best Emerging Practice by the Ontario Association of Architects in 2009, RAW’s portfolio has expanded exponentially to cover a diverse range of projects throughout the GTA and Canada. Their impressive roster varies from edgy mid-rise urban infill developments to large mixed-use and commercial environments covering entire city blocks.

RAW’s work on the Tannery District in Kitchener, Ontario recently won the 2011 CUI Brownie Award for Best Overall Project. Cleaning up and revitalizing a former industrial site of over 300,000 sq. ft. in Kitchener’s downtown, RAW transformed a turn-of-the-century leather factory into high tech office and community space that has become a magnet for economic and industry growth.

Pushing boundaries in Toronto’s condo boom, RAW is known for bringing edgy contemporary design to some of Toronto’s oldest avenues. From building in laneways to challenging infill sites, RAW’s work is significantly impacting Toronto’s emerging streetscapes and the way we engage with it. Visit RAW Design for more information at www.rawdesign.ca.

About Christie

Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc. is a global visual technologies company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio, Inc., Japan, (JP:6925). Consistently setting the standards by being the first to market some of the world’s most advanced projectors and complete system displays, Christie is recognized as one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world. From retail displays to Hollywood, mission critical command centers to classrooms and training simulators, Christie display solutions and projectors capture the attention of audiences around the world with dynamic and stunning images. Visit www.christiedigital.com for more information.

Source: Christie Digital Systems

Over 10 years ago GestureTek invented Video Gesture Control using 3D cameras, and has been using it in dynamic custom installations for its Fortune 500 customers. This robust 3D tracking software SDK is now available.

The multi-patented GestPoint Maestro3D software functions with all the available 3D cameras on the market including Microsoft’s Kinect. The SDK has a number of tracking paradigms as well as a gesture library to allow for the variety of ways that an interactive 3D gesture system can be used in both public and private spaces.

The Maestro3D Hand Tracker is for specific point and control scenarios in public digital signage, and presentations, etc. It allows the developer to quickly and simply create a fixed 3D tracking area of any size, in free space, and choose precisely where that tracking area will be positioned in front of the screen or camera, with pixel accuracy. It will track the (x,y,z) position of up to 10 hands in real time, for Multi-user 3D tracking applications. Control everything from the Desktop cursor, to onscreen objects, or navigation. Maestro3D responds instantly to new users and unlike other systems does not require the user to stand still for a given duration to be “registered”.

The Maestro3D Multi-Tracker detects multiple data points on the user’s body (head, torso and hands) enabling more dynamic 3D gesture tracking as well as the creation of Immersive full-body representations, and aspects of avatar control. The system comes with a dynamic library of multi-touch gestures including circles, swipes, scrolling, enlarging, or rotating items, etc. and connects directly to Adobe Flash or provides other interfaces for a variety of programmer models.

The Maestro3D SDK enables developers to create their own interactive applications for touch-less control of interactive displays, digital signage, kiosks, store windows and multiple development and OEM platforms, including PCs, laptops. Operating systems supported include Windows® XP & Windows® 7.

“3D gesture control is an engaging and user-friendly display interface technology that can be used for games and entertainment, retail advertising, digital signage, information delivery, educational installations, way finding, and presentations,” says Vincent John Vincent, President and Co-Founder, GestureTek Inc. ”Other uses for 3D control includes surgery and clean rooms, fitness and rehabilitation. GestureTek has already licensed its video gesture control technology/patent to clients like Microsoft for the XBOX and Sony for the PlayStation. GestureTek’s 2D & 3D gesture based systems are the inspiration for the technology behind Microsoft’s Kinect. Maestro3D brings 3D tracking to the public display market.”

GestureTek provides custom 3D camera development for clients, like the large-format multi camera 3D vision attraction for the Space Fantasy ride at Universal Studios Japan, in which up to 40 guests could use gestures to interact with an 85-foot “Harmony Wall”.

link: Maestro3D Hand & Multi Tracker Videos: http://www.gesturetek.com/3ddepth/introduction.php

GestureTek

GestureTek®, founded 1986, is the inventor & pioneer of video gesture recognition/control systems for presentation, information & entertainment systems. With multi-patented single, multiple & 3D depth camera solutions, the technology lets people use hand & body motions to control dynamic computer content on any screen, interactive surface or camera-enabled device – with no need to wear, hold or touch anything special. GestureTek also offers immersive & multi-touch gesture-based products. GestureTek has delivered over 5,000 interactive solutions for LBE facilities, public digital signage & displays, & licensed to device manufacturers & game developers. Selected customers & licensees include, Sony, Microsoft (XBOX), Samsung, Nokia, DoCoMo, & Intel. Toronto is the companies head office. Learn more at www.gesturetek.com or call (800) 315-1189.

Source: GestureTek

The Cube is an ‘interactive display in a box’ that comes pre-configured and pre-calibrated, and includes over 70 engaging games, special effects and video and sound applications.  Flash applications are also available.  Its ‘plug-n-play’ setup is so simple that no onsite technical support is required for installation.  Simply roll it in, turn it on and it is instantly interactive.

“We’ve taken the best features of our highly successful large, permanent overhead interactive display deployments and packaged them into a flexible and compact turnkey system that is perfect for even the most space-constrained venues,” said Vincent John Vincent, President of GestureTek.

The Cube is an intelligent box measuring 23 x 18 x 16 inches and weighing 60 pounds.  It comes with a 4’ x 5’ mat, onto which an 80” diagonal display is projected.  Multi-media content is displayed on an interactive floor, allowing users to control and manipulate this content by stepping onto the projection.

GestureTek’s sophisticated, multi-patented video gesture control software for body tracking monitors the movements of people using the Cube.  Together with a high-end projector, camera and other hardware  (including a Quad Core computer, portable multimedia projector with an ultra short throw lens, four USB connections, an Ethernet connection and a mini audio jack), the system detects motion and responds with changes to the projected content.

“After a year of research and development to ensure optimal resolution, zero technical support, flexibility to use on both floors and walls and the ability to allow users to make custom content changes with the press of a button, I’m confident in saying that the Cube is the most flexible and easy-to-use gesture-controlled interactive display system in the world,” says Vincent.

GestureTek’s customers are also singing the praises of the Cube.  Customers who were part of the Cube’s ‘soft launch’ over the past few months gave the Cube extremely high marks as an attention-grabbing, ready-to-use product.

The Cube is perfect for retail chains, hospitality locations and advertising rollouts.  Its visual appeal causes passers-by to stop in their tracks and engage with the brand.  Its portability allows it to be used for time-specific promotions, and to be easily moved from location to location, depending on the organization’s advertising and marketing requirements.  The Cube is also well-suited for trade shows and traveling events, due to its mobility and ease of use.  Cubes can be set up anywhere, and within minutes are fully interactive.

“Any time an advertiser wants to market in a high-traffic location and deliver a strong advertising message that cuts through the clutter, or to provide an engaging game or activity that keeps consumers engaged with the brand for a longer period of time, the Cube is an engaging and cost-effective option.”

Adds Vincent, “Sears, Old Navy, American Family Insurance, Diageo and Cineviz are among the businesses who have turned to the Cube.  These companies enjoy all the promotional benefits of a large-scale interactive digital signage system without the usual accompanying financial, real estate and technology commitments.”

See the video and more information on the Cube at http://www.gesturetek.com/cube/introduction.php

Specification: http://www.gesturetek.com/pdfs/gesturefx/cube.pdf

About GestureTek

GestureTek is the pioneer, patent-holder and world leader in gesture-recognition for information, presentation and entertainment systems.  The company’s revolutionary video gesture control software lets users control interactive content, access information, manipulate special effects, or immerse themselves in an interactive 3D virtual world, by moving their hands or body. Over the past 20 years, GestureTek has delivered more than 4,000 interactive displays, kiosks, exhibits, games and other interactive solutions for mobile devices, game developers, location-based entertainment facilities, retail stores, museums, science centers,  tourism and hospitality venues, real estate presentation centers, corporate boardrooms and showrooms and television networks.  Software and patent licensees include Microsoft, Sony, Hasbro and NTT DoCoMo. Clients include CNN, BMW, Ford, Oracle, Intel, IBM, Federal Express and Panasonic.  GestureTek is headquartered in Silicon Valley, with offices in Toronto, Ottawa and Asia. Visit www.gesturetek.com or call (800) 315-1189.

Source: GestureTek