Semiconductor supplier Qualcomm Inc. has acquired certain assets from GestureTek, a developer of gesture recognition technology. The chip supplier said that gesture recognition technology will be integrated into the company’s current and next-generation Snapdragon processors, giving OEMs the capability to produce smartphones, tablets and home entertainment devices with user interfaces based on natural human gestures.

This acquisition deal gives Qualcomm ownership of certain intellectual property (IP) assets related to gesture recognition, as well as key engineering resources. However, GestureTek is retaining other assets in continuation of its gesture-controlled public display and digital signage business.

In a statement, said Steve Mollenkopf, executive vice president and group president, Qualcomm, “Applications processors are enabling a range of new ways for consumers to interface with their home entertainment and mobile devices.” He added, “Our acquisition of key technology and assets from GestureTek will strengthen Qualcomm’s smartphone product portfolio and enable our customers to launch products with new and compelling user experiences.”

In another statement, "This transaction with Qualcomm is a great result for both parties," stated s Vincent John Vincent, president and co-founder of GestureTek. "GestureTek will continue to deploy our technology in the digital signage/public display and health markets, on which we will now focus exclusively. We look forward to supporting our existing customers and continuing to leverage our network of dealers and distributors to add new customers in these growing markets," noted Vincent.

Based in Totonto, Canada, GestureTek was founded in 1986. The company has more than 25 years of experience implementing gesture-based technologies in mobile devices, entertainment facilities, healthcare systems, retail locations, and public and private venues. As a result, it has delivered over 5,000 interactive solutions for location-based entertainment facilities, public spaces, corporate locations, retail stores and hospitality venues.