What's Next for Microsoft's Kinect Motion-Control Technology?

Microsoft's Kinect, the motion-control technology used in place of typical game controllers, has made a splash in the video gaming world. With more than 8 million Kinect motion-control sensors sold, Microsoft is warning of a possible shortage of the Xbox gaming consoles. Apparently, the shortage comes from the company moving up its January and February shipments of the Kinect motion-control sensors to cope with the December holiday sales. What exactly is the Kinect Motion Control sensor and why is it so popular?

What is Kinect Motion Control and How Does it Work?

The Kinect motion-control sensor is an Xbox 360 add-on that allows users to experience hands-free game play--something the PlayStation Move hoped to achieve but did not, since users still need a controller. The sensor uses a camera to determine the player's movements and the game then responds in relation to those movements. The sensor can also respond to voice commands, as well as use facial-recognition software to log users into their accounts. After plugging the Kinect motion sensor in, the camera scans the room where the user is playing and automatically runs tests to determine its various calibrations.

The Kinect motion-sensor camera should sit on top of the television, or at least two to four feet off the ground for optimal movement recognition. Then, using certain gestures, users can control the various game menus and play games totally hands-free. The sensor also works for multiple players and, if players want to jump into the middle of a game, will continue the game as a multi-player while automatically making the necessary adjustments. However, for the camera to recognize the gamers' movements properly, they should be between six and eight feet away.

The only real downfalls to the Kinect motion-control sensor are that it is too easy for users to go beyond the reach of the camera and, without enough play space, the sensor will not work right. Otherwise, as compared to the PlayStation Move, only a slight lag time is noted and gestures are not always accurate, but considering it is completely hands-free, it would be worth the slight frustration.

Where Does Kinect Go From Here?

Given the popularity of the Xbox Kinect, Microsoft is sure to make the technology available for other devices. The technology behind the Kinect motion-control sensor could eventually extend its capabilities to televisions and computers. In fact, in an interview Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer dropped hints that Windows PCs could use the Kinect motion control in the future, stating, "We're trying to move beyond gaming to include the world of socialization, of movies, of TV."

Considering the advanced voice technology involved, the Kinect motion controller could also be used for a host of other applications as well. For example, imagine a "game" that teaches sign language, detecting the movements a person is making and automatically correcting them to make it easier to learn. Imagine using the Kinect motion control as a personal trainer; users would complete the exercises as they are shown, then the camera detects whether they are doing the exercises properly or not, correcting them in real time.

Now that the boundary between man and machine has been broken in a way that has never before been seen, it is not difficult to imagine a Kinect motion-control sensor in almost every industry. The Xbox 360 Kinect add-on costs between $136.49 and $249.99 by itself and the Xbox 360/Kinect bundle costs between $288 and $549, depending on various options selected.