CSR Unveils Smart Remote Evaluation and Development Kits for Voice Commands

CSR today announced the availability of new evaluation and development kits for makers of the newest generation of smart remotes for TVs and set-top boxes (STBs). The kits will enable the development of the first voice command-enabled Bluetooth low-energy remote controls as well as a low-power, robust link for motion pointing and gesture capabilities. 

And, in collaboration with Hillcrest Labs, CSR has created its solution to work seamlessly with Hillcrest's Freespace MotionEngine software, which has become the standard for motion control in consumer electronic devices around the world.

The new kits are based on two CSR devices: the CSR1011, part of the CSR µEnergy platform, which is optimized for keyboards and remote controls; and the CSR8510, a dual-mode Bluetooth solution optimized for TVs and STBs using human interface devices (HID), such as remote controls. 

"Motion plus voice control is an incredibly powerful combination for smart TV remote controls, and we're thrilled to collaborate with CSR to make this available in these powerful new kits," said Chad Lucien, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Hillcrest Labs, in a statement. "The combination of our Freespace MotionEngine software and CSR's market-leading Bluetooth low-energy RF technology offers a compelling view of the future where smart TV user interfaces are more intuitive, more enjoyable, and, ultimately, even more integral to our lives than they are today."

"The interaction between consumers and televisions is becoming more immersive and more complex, and consumer expectations are escalating rapidly because of the kind of experiences they're getting from their other devices, such as smartphones and game consoles," said Paul Williamson, director of µEnergy product at CSR, in a statement. "With growing trends like TV-based gaming and browsing, even more sophisticated control devices are coming into the market, and IR-based remote controls simply cannot offer any more to the consumer. Bluetooth smart offers the perfect balance of throughput and low power required for advanced control, and with these two new developer offerings CSR is clearing a path to the next generation of advanced remote controls."