Kinect creator announces hands-free PC controller for living rooms

PrimeSense, the privately-held Israeli firm that licensed Kinect's core tech to Microsoft, has confirmed ahead of this week's CES that it's teamed with Asus to create a similar device for PC.

The controller's named It's called Wavi Xtion, and will be shown off at the Las Vegas show later this week.

And don't think this is just about games.

"The WAVI Xtion media center for the PC leverages ultra-wide band wireless link and PrimeSense 3D sensing solution to provide controller-free interaction experiences in the living room," said the announcement release today.

"Users can browse multimedia content, access the Internet and social networks, and enjoy full body interaction in a more user-friendly and natural living room experience."

The company's also said today that they're to "introduce the world’s first PC-exclusive 3D sensing professional development solution, Xtion PRO, for software developers to easily create their own gesture-based applications and software.

"Xtion PRO is scheduled to be commercially available in February 2011. Developers will also have the chance to sell their applications on the upcoming Xtion online Store."

Sounds like the entire notion of "PC gaming" might be about to be turned on its head, with Asus GM Kent Chien saying the device is being specifically made to "allow users to enjoy and share PC content on TV with gestures."

PC gaming with gestures was ably shown only this evening to be a precision-based reality, with a href="http://www.evoluce.com/en/index.php" target="_new">Evoluce, a German multi-touch display manufacturer, posting a video of Kinect hacked to play the PC version RUSE with nothing more than hand-waving.