Microsoft Kinect: Biometric Devices Go Mainstream

Motion sensing technology seems to be the future of video gaming. In a very complimentary article covering the Kinect, Microsoft’s endeavor into interactive gaming, Gizmodo calls the new gadget “the future of Microsoft, or at least a very possible one.” According to the article, the Kinect was something that was sort of stumbled upon; an act of luck or “serendipity,” they say.

Originally, Microsoft hired Dr Ilan Spillinger, the vice president of hardware and technology for Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business. With the mission of surpassing the Wii, Microsoft started looking at natural user interfaces for the next-generation Xbox. 3D cameras and input systems were also on their radar two and a half years ago, and so the various pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

Microsoft’s key was the PrimeSense 3D sensor, which essentially created what Microsoft considers to be the revolution of the product. The sensor has 3 impressive features: it tracks your body with full depth mapping, responds to voice commands, and has a standard video camera. The optical system is pretty basic for the most part. A class 1 laser is projected into the room and the sensor is able to detect movement based on what’s reflected back to it. The projector and sensor work together to create a depth map – the video camera is held at a specific distance away from the 3D part of the optical system. Kinect then blends together the depth map and camera image for a dynamic greenscreen effect.

The locations of the 4 microphones on the bottom of the device are the basis for its size and shape. To figure out the placement of the microphones, Microsoft conducted research which looked at 200 homes in the US, Japan, and Europe. The audio profile for the room it’s being used in must first be calibrated before the Kinect will work properly. It is so sensitive that it must be re-calibrated to compensate for any major changes to the room, like rearranging furniture. Essentially, the audio profile of the room by maps out the room’s reflectivity.

It’s a pretty ambitious and impressive thing to do to supply consumers with a fully immersive experience. Take a look at the original article to read more details on the Kinect.

Deep Inside Xbox 360 Kinect: The Interface Of Microsoft’s Dreams

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