Roku Licenses Hillcrest Labs' Technology

Roku has licensed Hillcrest’s patented Freespace MotionEngine software for use with its motion-sensing remote and its new line of Roku 2 streaming players.

The Roku Game Remote, which uses Hillcrest’s MotionEngine technology, provides motion-sensing control utilized in gameplay and screen navigation for all three Roku 2 models. The Roku 2 XS comes standard with the motion sensing remote, while Roku 2 HD and Roku 2 XD users can purchase the remote as an optional accessory.

Hillcrest Labs’ patented Freespace technology is a complete solution for in-air pointing and motion control that can be added to a wide range of consumer devices including remote controls and game controllers for Smart TVs, streaming media players, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, PCs, and tablets. Specific technical attributes of the Freespace MotionEngine include:

• Advanced Motion Processing: The motion sensing remote translates natural hand movements into precise onscreen actions, which allows users to easily select icons and control objects, small and large, on the TV screen.
• Orientation Compensation: Regardless of the orientation of the motion sensing remote in space (e.g. pointing at the ground, turned sideways, etc.), Freespace technology generates intuitive cursor movements and other on-screen actions.
• High Precision: Freespace technology can distinguish between intentional and unintentional movement, including natural hand tremors.
• No Line-of-Sight Required: Freespace technology is based on inertial sensors, which do not require line-of-sight to operate.