Google acquires gesture recognition startup Flutter
03 Oct 2013
Google has acquired gesture recognition startup Flutter, a San-Fancisco-based company founded by Navneet Dalal and Mehul Nariyawala of Indian origin.
Details as regards the price, and the terms of the deal have not been released.
The company develops gesture recognition technology that controls popular apps like YouTube, Pandora and Netflix via webcam.
In an announcement on the company's homepage, CEO Navneet Dalal wrote, "Today, we are thrilled to announce that we will be continuing our research at Google. We share Google's passion for 10x thinking, and we're excited to add their rocket fuel to our journey."
Confirming the deal to the media, a Google spokesperson said, the company was really impressed with the Flutter team's ability to design new technology based on cutting-edge research.
He added, the company looked forward to supporting and collaborating on their research efforts at Google.
Funding for Flutter has come from the likes of Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, Spring Ventures and Y Combinator.
Tech circles are abuzz with speculation as to whether the new tech would find its way into Google's upcoming devices like Nexus 5.
Though, Google's agenda behind the acquisition was not known, since the web giant had a wide range of services that could fit in the hand gesture technology, the acquisition is expected to yield a profitable outcome.
The deal would not affect the startup's research which would continue at Google.
The start up's technology uses the computer's built-in web cam to control certain apps with basic hand gestures on Windows and Mac OS X.
Started nearly 18 months ago, the startup had not been able to gain as much popularity as the company anticipated.
Flutter app for Windows and Mac would find application in iTunes, Spotify, Rdio, VLC, Keynote, Winamp, Windows Media Player, and several others like Chrome extension, for Youtube, Netflix, Pandora, and Grooveshark.
With simple gestures like placing the hand in front of the webcam from one to six feet away users would be able to pause the video, while pointing the thumb to the right would change the media file to "next", and previous file can be invoked by pointing the thumb to "left".
Similar technology had been integrated into Samsung Galaxy S4, which allowed for accepting calls, changing music and browsing through the gallery with hand gestures.
According to commentators, given the fact that Google was working vigorously on its Nexus lineup, it would not be surprising to see the acquired technology put to use in its next smartphone.
