Set-top box running Android brings hand gesture control to any TV

AN ANDROID BASED set-top box that will allow any television to be controlled by hand gestures has been announced today by Korean manufacturer Innodigital, working in partnership with Israeli gesture recognition firm Eyesight.

The strangely named "Ntobebox" transforms any television into a Smart TV so that it can be used to stream content, download and use apps, make video calls and surf the internet.

Running on the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, the device is powered by technology built on machine vision algorithms and needs only a 2D camera to operate. It uses a combination of simple hand gestures and hand tracking enabling virtual mouse control so users can perform any function on the TV's remote control.

CEO of Eyesight Gideon Shmuel said bringing the firm's technology to the Innodigital product will "help it stand head-and-shoulders above its competition" and allow for "natural, intuitive gestures".

Schmuel added that the Ntobebox will be internationally available at the beginning of next year and will include a full web browser, app store, Skype video calling technology, embedded WiFi, full support for HD 1080p and a QWERTY remote control.

In the meantime, Innodigital said it is looking to work with TV providers to release the box as part of a digital television package for consumers. However, the firm has yet to release any details as to which providers that might be. µ