Dance to the Rhythm
- Nex
Integrated motion engines pickup movement in front of home monitors.
San Jose-based company Nex launched their motion engine MDK five years ago. This technology documents and analyses human movements using the built-in camera of commercially available mobile phones and monitors.
The technology is used in mobile app HomeCourt, which analyses the moves of basketball players and suggests ways to improve. Nex has now set up an initiative that uses their technology to get users moving in front of their home monitors. At the last Tokyo Game Show, the company, in which Samsung has a stake, presented a new portfolio containing five motion-based games. These include Arcade Package, which has millions of downloads so far, and the dance-music game Starri, which was released worldwide in the second half of 2022.
Nex’s technological advantage lies in its integrated nature. These game experiences do not require additional hardware such as headsets, keyboard or multi-controllers; instead they use natural body movement to interact with activities. Co-founder and CEO of Nex, David Lee, says about Nex’s mission: “We see a need to turn passive screen time into active play time and to help people rediscover the joy of movement.”
Nex is working towards this goal with the help of some major OEMs in order that it can soon offer its motion entertainment on the latest smart TVs. The technology company has also announced its future intention of tempting Sky subscribers in Europe off the sofa with its own channel, although an official launch date for this has not yet been given.