Google Snaps Up Gesture Recognition Start-Up Flutter
The future of computing may very well lie in gesture control, hence the popularity of platforms like Microsoft's Kinect sensor and growing interest in devices like the Leap Motion controller. Not to be left behind, search giant Google has gone and scooped up Flutter, a San Francisco-based startup that develops hand gesture recognition technology.
According to a statement on Flutter's website by company CEO Naveet Dalal, the firm will continue its gesture recognition research at Google, though it's not clear if the entire staff will be retained or not. Dalal likened Google's acquisition to adding "rocket fuel" to its journey, and Google sounds equally excited about the deal.
"We're really impressed by the Flutter team's ability to design new technology based on cutting-edge research. We look forward to supporting and collaborating on their research efforts at Google," a Google spokesperson said in a statement.
It will be interesting to see where Google goes with this. It's probably too late in the game to expect Flutter's technology to show up in Android 4.4 KitKat, but perhaps a later version will implement native gesture control. Chrome OS is another candidate, as-is Google's Chrome browser.
Flutter already offers an app for Mac users that taps into the webcam to detect hand gestures. In doing so, Mac users can wave their hands around to control playback in music and movies, as well as navigate iTunes, Spotify, Windows Media Player, and WinAmp.
According to a statement on Flutter's website by company CEO Naveet Dalal, the firm will continue its gesture recognition research at Google, though it's not clear if the entire staff will be retained or not. Dalal likened Google's acquisition to adding "rocket fuel" to its journey, and Google sounds equally excited about the deal.
"We're really impressed by the Flutter team's ability to design new technology based on cutting-edge research. We look forward to supporting and collaborating on their research efforts at Google," a Google spokesperson said in a statement.
It will be interesting to see where Google goes with this. It's probably too late in the game to expect Flutter's technology to show up in Android 4.4 KitKat, but perhaps a later version will implement native gesture control. Chrome OS is another candidate, as-is Google's Chrome browser.
Flutter already offers an app for Mac users that taps into the webcam to detect hand gestures. In doing so, Mac users can wave their hands around to control playback in music and movies, as well as navigate iTunes, Spotify, Windows Media Player, and WinAmp.
