MWNY: Essential Reality demos P5 glove peripheral

Essential Reality is demonstrating its P5 glove peripheral at Macworld Expo this week. The device provides 3D control using an apparatus that slips over the user’s hands, like something from a science fiction movie (or, if you’re a console gaming fan, a bit like the Nintendo data glove).

Using the P5, 3D game players can control in game characters using a sequence of hand gestures. The P5 interprets the hand’s motion through built-in sensors. Squeeze a trigger, for example, and your on-screen persona will fire his or her gun. Lift the hand and watch a plane fly. Applications are as diverse as the user’s imagination.

The P5 utilizes a proprietary bend sensor and tracking technologies. It’s designed to be USB compliant and will be compatible with various devices including Macs, PCs and game systems.

The P5 is currently in beta form, but Essential Reality plans to make it available for Mac OS X starting this fall.