With the Virtual Air Guitar anyone can play and perform like a rock star. The innovation of Virtual Air Guitar Company Ltd. has aroused widespread interest around the world.

In the Virtual Air Guitar, innovative gesture recognition is combined with musical synthesis. The prototype is based on a camera attached to a computer and the physical sound model of an electric guitar.

"The user puts on orange gloves, stands in front of a camera and plays the air guitar. The camera recognizes the playing gestures and sends commands to the sound model, which produces the final sound. The user only needs to adopt a proper rock stance," says CEO Aki Kanerva.

Console game coming

The technology was developed in the Telecommunications Software and Multimedia Laboratory of Helsinki University of Technology (TKK), from where it proceeded via TKK's Innovation Centre and Tekes to the business incubator of Technopolis Ventures Oy. With their backup, the idea was refined into a business plan that is aiming for large-scale international business.

The company's first product is a console game that will be released for sale for the Christmas 2007 market. "The game is very different technically and in content from the prototype. The main idea is still instant rockstar experience; i.e. the game offers everyone the chance to be a real rock star," Kanerva says.

Later, the product family will be expanded with other game applications. The company has also identified other business areas and is planning expansion in the near future.

Gig services on offer

At this moment the air guitar can be played at the Heureka Science Centre in Vantaa, where it will be on show until 2007 at least. "We also offer a gig service that hires out the equipment and a performer to event organizers and fairs," Kanerva says.

The Virtual Air Guitar Company was established in February 2006 and in March the company started negotiations with eight international game publishers. The innovation has come in for a great deal of publicity worldwide.

>> www.virtualairguitar.com

You no longer need a musical background to play. The aim of Virtual Air Guitar Company is to bring experiences of being a rock star to everybody.