Ontario – Toronto GTA – Downtown Toronto
Corporation
www.gesturetek.com
Ontario
Toronto GTA
Downtown Toronto
Corporation
active
Operating name: GestureTek Inc.
GestureTek Inc., (originally called Vivid Group) are the inventors of, and have been the world leader since 1986 in camera-enabled computer control pioneering €œapplied computer vision€? in the entertainment industry. Their patented VGC (Video Gesture Control Technology) has allowed computer users to be immersed into computer-generated environments and landscapes without the use of joysticks, headgear, keyboards or mice. Users don€™t have to wear, hold or touch anything.
GestureTek€™s initial product, the Gesture Xtreme system immerses the users live, full body video image on the screen surrounded by computer animation virtual worlds that they could both navigate and manipulate with body gestures.
GestureTek also pioneered virtual video conferencing allowing users to link virtual video images in different cities to appear in the same 3D virtual world in which they could interact with the objects together.
Next steps were to impact the Rehabilitation market with IREX, which submerges a patient into a computer generated world producing isolated joint movement, combined joint movements and full body functional movement of both upper and lower extremities. The kinematic data is measured, recorded and reported. IREX appeals to a diverse group of rehabilitation specialties.
Recently, the Company has moved into consumer technologies via both licensing and game development. Its patents for video gesture control technology have been licensed to Sony for use with its EyeToy products running on the PlayStation2. Over 4.5 million units have shipped. The Company recently licensed its patent to Hasbro for its new ION Educational gaming system, due out December 2005 for which GestureTek has also been creating games. Discussions are underway with other console manufacturers.
The Company is capitalizing on its years of game development experience, on its core technology, and on its patents to introduce €œcamera-enabled€? mobile gaming. In preparation, the Company recently took in a round of venture capital funding and established its €œEyeMobile€? division. EyeMobile software uses the cell phone's camera to €œlock€? to images of physical objects in the environment, which turns the phone into a joystick.
The Company then pioneered a wide variety of €œpoint-to-click€? computer interfaces used in retail and public displays. GestPointâ„¢ allows any sized screen to be controlled from any distance. GestPoint's stereo analysis and control technology again has many application uses.
GestureTek€™s other public installation technology, Digital Signage network; GroundFX has been received very well. This interactive floor projection lets users step right on these images and control them with their feet.
GestureTek has seen tremendous growth since its inception, with only one year in the last 18 years without growth. The Company saw a 50% increase in sales from 2002 to 2003, and an added 120% growth in sales from 2003 to 2004 totalling well-over 4 million sales worldwide for that year. Reflective of this growth, there has been a staff increase of over 30% per year since 2003.
GestureTek will continue to be an innovator in VGC Technology for years to come. Clients include, Hasbro, Sony, Bank of America - Hockey Hall of Fame with over 1600 installations worldwide.
Country of Ownership: Canada
Year Established: 1986
Exporting: Yes
Primary Industry (NAICS): 339930 - Doll, Toy and Game Manufacturing
Alternate Industries (NAICS): 334110 - Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
334410 - Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
334610 - Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media
541330 - Engineering Services
541510 - Computer Systems Design and Related Services
Primary Business Activity: Services
Total Sales ($CDN): $1,000,000 to $4,999,999
Export Sales ($CDN): $1,000,000 to $4,999,999
Number of Employees: 45
Services:
Communications- video conferencing, Software developer
Products:
Gesture xtreme systems, Groundfx, Interactive digital signage, Eyemobile, Rehabilitation services
Technology:
Software information is confidential. Use of computer hardware,
software, video display and video camera equipment.
Sector:
Plant Information: Total Plant Size (Areas sq ft): Toronto - 5000 sq ft
Ottawa - 3000 sq ft
California - 3000 sq ft
Distribution of Employees
Toronto - 25
Ottawa - 12
California - 5
New York - 1
China - 1
Japan - 1
Unique Applications: Samsung Orientation Table is located on the third floor of the Time Warner Center in the interactive galley called "The Samsung Experience". This 12'L x 4W' interactive table has 5 linked interactive scenes that depict a map of Manhatten as a WayFinding" System using GestureTek's patented VGC "touchless" point-to-click technology. Users can move their hands over top these scenes to bring up information on various points of interest.
Key / Major Clients: Sony
Hasbro
Hockey Hall of Fame
Ontario Science Center
Ford Motor
Basketball Hall of Fame
Bank of America
Rogers AT - T
Success Stories: Hasbro Inc. has licensed GestureTek's patented Video Gesture Control technology to be used in games for their Playskool division.
The ION Education Gaming System will begin being sold in the Fall of 2005 and is target audience is children ages 3 to 7.
Brown Jason
Francis K.
John Vincent Vincent
Leckonby Bill
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