Microsoft intros full-body motion controller
updated 03:30 pm EDT, Mon June 1, 2009
Microsoft Project Natal
Microsoft this afternoon unveiled a technology meant for the Xbox 360 but which is also a technology first. Nicknamed Project Natal, the system uses a camera to detect a player's entire body movement. It can not only recognize limbs and posture but is intelligent enough to distinguish between active players and those in the background. It also has a microphone and recognizes voice commands, effectively creating a true hands-free game console.
The control allows obvious visual parallels in games, such as grabbing a steering wheel to drive, fighting with punches or painting with hand gestures. However, it can equally be used for the main Xbox interface by swiping through menus with hands. Face detection lets players auto sign-in just by standing in front of the camera.
Microsoft has provided few more concrete details of software, prices or other features. It says only that Project Natal developer kits are being made available today and that both current as well as future Xbox 360s will work with the peripheral.
The add-on is a conscious attempt to compete with the popularity of the Nintendo Wii but also represents a significant jump in natural control for computer interfaces. At the company's E3 press conference, game developer Peter Molyneux and others explained that Natal removes the learning curve for using a device as owners don't have to memorize the buttons for physical peripherals.
Innovation?
06/01, 04:09pm (1 reply) reply
Is this not innovation? Or you guys going to argue they are just copying the wii, even though its a completely different technology...
luckyday
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2008
In other news...
06/01, 04:22pm (1 reply) reply
Users expecting to have real life experiences, with real people, doing real things, are still disappointed by this new technology.
When asked about view of the product, Joe Schmo said "I ordered a cup of coffee from the thing, and I never got it. When I went to sit down at the virtual cafe table, I fell on my but. I'm disappointed so far." ;)
Flying Meat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2007
Very interesting
06/01, 04:51pm reply
It seems like you would need a tremendous amount of processing power to implement this idea well. I'd be very impressed if this system had the hardware to back up the claims.
ff11
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2004
"a technology first"?
06/01, 05:03pm reply
How is this different from the technology in "Toysight Gold" at http://www.freeverse.com/ (which has been out for the last 5 years) or even some of the old Amiga software (12 years ago) that used cameras (and/or microphones) to interact with games, music and other applications?
jrafalak
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2009
Nope, not new
06/01, 06:32pm (2 replies) reply
Not new, not innovative either, and certainly NOT a "technology first".
How do MS get away with such blatant BS?
I was at the Epcot Centre in Florida over the new year period and in the queue for one of the "rides", they had 3 giant screens with a game projected onto them, each game was controlled by the movement of players' bodies in front of the screen. Limbs could interact with individual objects and the software was also able to distinguish between who was playing and who was simply watching.
Geobunny
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
EPCOT: Innovator!
06/01, 11:04pm reply
Whoever set up those games at EPCOT is the real innovator, but perhaps Microsoft can do with this "borrowed" technology the only thing they do well: bring it to the unwashed (and I mean that literally) masses.
I love that they keep trying ...
chas_m
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
p*** industry
06/02, 12:07am reply
The adult industry is probably already thinking of the possibilities of this feature. Imagine humping Jenna J. in the comfort of your living room!
pairof9s
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
Innovation my foot!
06/02, 05:05am reply
Look at the video. It's the video game that is controlling the player not the other way around. They basically made a movie. There is no demonstration going on.
peter02l
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2009
oh luck
06/02, 10:23am reply
what have i told you about doing your homework? a few minutes on google and you wouldn't look nearly as... well, no real need to go there.
nat
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Epcot
06/02, 01:19pm reply
Um, there's a huge difference in a demonstration system set up at an amusement park and one that hooks up to a gaming console.
Or does making things smaller and for the consumer only count as innovation when Apple does it?
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001