On 1st February Microsoft will launch Kinect for Windows. Kinect is motion control software, originally employed on Microsoft’s Xbox gaming technology. For example, Kinect identifies your body movements and incorporates them into the game you are playing.
Microsoft have enhanced Kinect for the PC. Near mode technology gives finer control which is invaluable for medical and scientific use. Innovative uses of Kinect have been encouraged by Microsoft making the source code freely available. You pay only for the hardware and get the Software Developer Kit for free. This has led to an increasing number of projects by researchers, gamers and those who love gadgets.
Obviously, Microsoft would like many industries to adopt Kinect’s ability to capture and access data using gesture and voice. Many projects are under way to use Kinect in medicine, physical therapy and education.