Motion-sensing ZCam set to build on Wii gaming control

There’s little doubting the phenomenal impact the Nintendo Wii has had on the videogame industry since its arrival in November of 2006, bringing with it demographic-busting creativity, motion-sensing controls, and a sense of fun generally lacking in its more ‘hardcore’ hardware rivals. 3DV Systems unveils the ZCam, its 3D motion-sensing gaming camera for PCs. Credit: 3DV.

3DV Systems unveils the ZCam, its 3D motion-sensing gaming camera for PCs. Credit: 3DV.Further to the host of (generally poor) third-party peripherals and accessories spawned because of the Wii in an attempt to jump on Nintendo’s sizeable cash cow, there are occasional product manufacturers that pop up with the intent of actually building on the Wii’s inspiration. Meet the ZCam.Created by Israel-based 3DV Systems, the ZCam is a new 3D interactive gaming camera designed specifically for personal computer users, which is so sensitive to movement and motion that users are able to control on-screen action through the mere flick of a finger."The Wii has shown us the way, but this device can take things so much farther," enthused 3DV Systems CEO Zvika Klier during a recent demonstration held exclusively for the Reuters news agency.According to 3DV, the ZCam is able to sense real-world depth of field and track player movements in three dimensions, essentially enabling users to relive their childhoods by controlling through body motion. For example, during the Reuters demo, 3DV showed that users could control an airplane in a computer game simply by moving their hands from side to side to denote wing movement, while onboard machine guns are fired and bombs dropped just by raising the thumbs. Similar to the boxing element of Wii Sports, the 3DV camera is able to "really put you in the game," says Klier, regarding a boxing demonstration where the player is able to punch and avoid an on-screen opponent by assuming the actual movements of a real boxer.While the Wii is perhaps the most impressive and innovative entrant that the videogame industry has seen in a number of years, 3DV hopes its ZCam can find a similar level of widespread success, which is something not yet attained by other player-assisted gaming camera such as the PlayStation 2’s EyeToy and the Xbox Live Vision camera.Klier explains that the company is presently in discussion with a number of hardware and software manufacturers concerning potential opportunities with the ZCam, which should arrive at market some time in 2008.