By combining ultra-wideband (UWB) positioning with inertial measurement unit (IMU) orientation sensing, MotionEngine Hex has been designed to deliver true 6-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) tracking – allowing users to control on-screen content with touchscreen-like pointing accuracy and spatial gestures.
Intended for OEMs and developers looking to develop innovative new forms of user interaction, MotionEngine Hex is a low-latency software stack that enables precise 3D position and orientation tracking in real time.
It can provide a direct, touchscreen-like experience that enhances usability and unlocks new interaction modes. This direct pointing experience is suitable for navigating modern smart TV interfaces, PC monitors, commercial displays, gaming, and even controlling smart home devices.
“We designed MotionEngine Hex to feel like an extension of your hand,” said Chad Lucien, vice president and general manager of the sensor and audio business unit at Ceva. “It’s precise, intuitive, and opens up entirely new ways to interact with content on digital displays. It’s a powerful way for device makers to differentiate their products in a crowded market while delivering a premium, next-gen user experience that consumers will immediately appreciate.”
MotionEngine Hex is built on the Ceva MotionEngine software which has been in production for more than 15 years and is deployed in more than 150 million devices.
Technical Highlights
6-DOF Sensor Fusion Engine: MotionEngine Hex integrates data from a 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, and UWB-based position sensors to compute full 6-DOF pose (position + orientation) with high temporal resolution and spatial accuracy.
Absolute Pointing: Unlike relative motion systems, MotionEngine Hex provides absolute cursor positioning based on real-world spatial coordinates, enabling intuitive interactions such as direct selection, on and off-screen gestures, and spatial drag-and-drop.
Dual Architecture Support:
Host-Based: Runs on the host processor (e.g., TV SoC or STB CPU), interfacing with Bluetooth and UWB modules.
Embedded: Optimised for integration into Bluetooth SoCs within remote controls, enabling standalone operation with minimal host dependency.
Sensor Calibration and Compensation: Includes runtime calibration, drift compensation, and tremor suppression algorithms to ensure consistent performance across environments and users.
Low Power, Small Footprint: Designed for embedded systems with constrained resources, MotionEngine Hex operates efficiently on low-power MCUs and DSPs, making it suitable for battery-powered remotes and handheld devices.
MotionEngine Hex is available now.
