Asus reveals its take on motion-based input with its WAVI Xtion at CeBIT 2011, combining PrimeSense technology with its Xtion Portal user interface.
The awkwardly-named device looks and works very much like the XBox Kinect-- whose motion-sensing technology was done by the same company now working with Asus.
The Xtion comes in 3 parts-- the sensor itself, and a pair of media streaming extending the users' PC desktop to a TV to which the sensor is connected (one connects to PC, the other to the sensor). All actual connections are through wireless HDMI, with a range of up to 25m.
Users can use the device to control their PCs via hand gestures. Demos at the show include media control (scrolling through picture files or stopping/starting videos), internet browsing and a number of games.
As the Xtion appears to only have IR hardware inside, it might not be as capable as the Kinect-- although Asus is already busy courting developers to start developing software for its device. The company says the WAVI Xtion should start shipping by Q3 2011.