Luxurious Animals Turns to Panasonic for New 3D Gesture Control Technology

Luxurious Animals turns to Panasonic's 3D Gesture Control technology for their new virtual reality lounge called "Dream of Flight". The high tech lounge, sponsored by Lufthansa, is part of a multi-million dollar project for Esquire Magazine. Panasonic Electric Works’ 3D Image Sensing Camera, the D-IMager, was chosen as the preferred motion–detection device for this state-of-the-art installation that is free of conventional controllers.

Luxurious Animals, a New York City based developer of creative gesture recognition technology designs and 3D rendering, announced the successful launch on October 15, 2010, of a new virtual reality lounge called "Dream of Flight". The high tech lounge, sponsored by Lufthansa, is part of a multi-million dollar project for Esquire Magazine. Panasonic Electric Works’ 3D Image Sensing Camera, the D-IMager, was chosen as the preferred motion–detection device for this state-of-the-art installation.

Esquire's new virtual reality lounge, is a one-of-a-kind flight simulator that uses body movement to provide an exciting flying experience that is free of conventional controllers.

"As digital innovators we are always on the edge of the unknown so it's imperative that you choose the people and the technology that you work with very carefully. I can not imagine doing this project without Panasonic's technology and commitment to excellence" said Robert Bengraff, CEO of Luxurious Animals.

To capture the freedom of flying, Luxurious Animals interpreted the real-time 3D data provided by the D-IMager's near-infrared imaging sensor to track a user's movements. "Flyers" are able to control flight speed and direction. When the flyer mimics the motion of a plane, he or she soars left or right through the clouds. If the flyer tilts up or down the perspective changes in perfect synchronization and moving forward and backward will alter the speed of flight. A truly exciting immersive experience. Panasonic's D-IMager uses a proprietary CCD in conjunction with near infrared LEDs for superior three dimensional accuracy. The Time-of-Flight technology used can detect human movement and hand gestures up to 30’ away ( 9 m.).

"The performance of Panasonic’s new imaging device was truly remarkable. This technology allowed us unparalleled detection accuracy and was easily implemented into our ‘Dream of Flight’ game engine,” said Garrett Nantz, Co-Founder of Luxurious Animals.

"We are delighted to be a part of this exciting project. Luxurious Animals’ sophisticated software brought to light the true power the D-IMager and they have succeeded in creating an engaging, unique, sensory experience." said Nick DeGaetano,Group Manager of marketing for Panasonic Electric USA.

Luxurious Animals' "Dream of Flight" will aide Esquire Magazine in raising funds for various charities and organizations.

Panasonic's D-IMager is now available for purchase worldwide.