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To: Mohamed Saba who wrote (52673)	9/6/2000 8:42:23 AM
From: richard surckla	Respond to of 93625

Sony demos innovative PS2 controllers From Yahoo Board, by: jjx456 9/6/00 8:11 am Msg: 156932 of 156935 messages.yahoo.com ECTS: Sony demos innovative PS2 controllers Aside from the tidy selection of PSOne and PS2 software at ECTS, Sony had a mesmerizing demonstration of future technology Top of the most interesting game gizmos at ECTS is something hot from Sony's R&D labs. We found out how to fly like a bird, or wield a sword like Maximus on PS2, thanks to an experiment in ‘Natural Interfaces via Real-Time Video’. The technology has been featured in the trade press before, but this was the public’s first chance to try it out. It looks like you’re standing in front of the TV waving a plastic stick. You are. However you are also swinging a sword, whirling a mace or carrying a flaming torch inside a PS2 games environment. This is because a standard USB web camera, combined with some groundbreaking software, is translating what you do in reality, real-time into actions on screen. No special light is required; no expensive equipment covered in sensors. The trick works by recognizing colour and movement. The plastic sword is bright green with a yellow handle. The webcam tracks the movement of the green ‘blade’ and judges its position – whether you are pointing the sword toward or away from the screen, from the handle. If you want to introduce a mace to the action, you wave a plastic yellow baton too. Another great demo of this technology requires no props at all - just you, the PS2, and the webcam. On screen there is a landscape and the shadow of an eagle on the ground below. By flapping your arms by your side you become the eagle. Flapping makes you go faster. Holding your arms straight out – like wings – makes you glide. You turn by raising and lowering either side. Of course you feel entirely stupid doing this, but it’s a great experience. We asked Dr Richard Marks, SCEA R&D what the applications for this set-up might be. Although he couldn’t be too specific, Richard did mention that it would require Sony to launch some kind of ‘game’ using the technology first before Third Parties would take the risk. However both LucasArts and Hasbro have expressed an interest. In the case of Hasbro the technology would be wonderful for kids’ software, particularly fun education type stuff. Sony has posted more details on its website at www.playstation-europe.com. computerandvideogames.com