Gesture control system promised for web

Asustek Computer Inc. and PrimeSense Ltd. said Monday that they're working to let users gesture to surf the web, check social networks and control videos on their PC or a TV connected to your PC.

PrimeSense is an Israeli company whose 3D camera is a core part of Microsoft Corp.'s Kinect motion controller for Xbox 360 gaming consoles.

Kinect uses a 3D camera, depth sensors and voice-recognition software to recognize your face, voice and gestures as you move around and talk, without requiring you to hold a controller or wear a headset.

If Kinect's success is any indication, Asus could be on to something. Microsoft released Kinect in November and said it sold 2.5 million of the sensors in the first 25 days it was available.

Asus and PrimeSense will show off the technology at the annual International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.

The companies plan to enable motion controls on PCs in the second quarter of the year through an accessory called the WAVIXtion, which combines an Asus user interface with PrimeSense's 3D technology.

Asus did not say how much WAVI Xtion will cost.

Asus is also using PrimeSense technology in a product for software developers called Xtion PRO. To be released in February, Xtion PRO will let developers make applications that incorporate gesture controls.