Файл: Kinect_for_Xbox_360.docx

On November 10, Adafruit announced Héctor Martínas the winner,^[91][92] who had produced a Linuxdriver that allows the use of both the RGB camera and depth sensitivity functions of the device.^[93][94] It was later revealed that Johnny Lee, a core member of Microsoft's Kinect development team, had secretly approached Adafruit with the idea of a driver development contest and had personally financed it.^[95]

In December 2010, PrimeSense, whose depth sensing reference design Kinect is based on, released their own open source drivers along with motion tracking middleware calledNITE.^[96] PrimeSense later announced that it had teamed up with Asusto develop a PC-compatible device similar to Kinect, which will be calledWAVI Xtion and is scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2011.^[97]

A demonstration of a third party use of Kinect at Maker Faire. The visualization on the left, provided through Kinect, is of a user of a jacket with wearable electronic controls forVJing.

Numerous developers are researching possible applications of Kinect that go beyond the system's intended purpose of playing games. For example, Philipp Robbel of MITcombined Kinect with theiRobot Createto map a room in 3D and have the robot respond to human gestures,^[98] while an MIT Media Lab team is working on a JavaScript extension for Google Chromecalled depthJS that allows users to control the browser with hand gestures.^[99] Other programmers, including the Robot Locomotion Group at MIT, are using the drivers to develop a motion-controller user interface similar to the one envisioned in the film Minority Report.^[100] The developers of MRPThave integrated open source drivers into their libraries and provided examples of live 3D rendering and basic 3D visualSLAM.^[101] Another team has shown an application that allows Kinect users to play a virtual piano by tapping their fingers on an empty desk.^[102] Oliver Kreylos, a researcher at University of California, Davis, adopted the technology to improve live 3-dimensionalvideoconferencing, whichNASAhas shown interest in.^[103]

Alexandre Alahi from EPFLpresented a video surveillance system that combines multiple Kinect devices to track groups of people even in complete darkness.^[104] Companies So touch and Evoluce have developed presentation software for Kinect that can be controlled by hand gestures; among its features is a multi-touch zoom mode.^[105] In December 2010, the free public beta of HTPCsoftwareKinEmote was launched; it allows navigation of BoxeeandXBMCmenus using a Kinect sensor.^[106] Soroush Falahati wrote an application that can be used to create stereoscopic3D images with a Kinect sensor.^[107]

For a limited time in May 2011, a Topshopstore in Moscow set up a Kinect kiosk that could overlay a collection of dresses onto the live video feed of customers. Through automatic tracking, position and rotation of the virtual dress were updated even as customers turned around to see the back of the outfit.^[108]

Kinect also shows compelling potential for use in medicine. Researchers at the University of Minnesotahave used Kinect to measure a range of disorder symptoms in children, creating new ways of objective evaluation to detect such conditions as autism, attention-deficit disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.^[109] At the Institute of Forensic Medicine Virtopsy Project at the University of BerninSwitzerland, researchers have devised a way for surgeons to manipulate imaging techniques (such asMRI) to guide surgery, using a Kinect to capture their hand motions to direct the imaging, freeing their hands from having to use computer keyboards, thus also reducing the chance of contamination.^[110] This technique is already working at Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreinToronto, where doctors use it to guide imaging during cancer surgery.^[111]

Reception

IGNgave the device 7.5 out of 10, saying that "Kinect can be a tremendous amount of fun for casual players, and the creative, controller-free concept is undeniably appealing", though adding that for "$149.99, a motion-tracking camera add-on for the Xbox 360 is a tough sell, especially considering that the entry level variation of the Xbox 360 itself is only $199.99".^[114] Game Informer rated Kinect 8 out of 10, praising the technology but noting that the experience takes a while to get used to and that the spatial requirement may pose a barrier.^[113] Computer and Video Games called the device a technological gem and applauded the gesture and voice controls, while criticizing the launch lineup and Kinect Hub.^[112]

CNET's review pointed out how Kinect keeps players active with its full-body motion sensing but criticized the learning curve, the additional power supply needed for older Xbox 360 consoles and the space requirements.^[115] Engadget, too, listed the large space requirements as a negative, along with Kinect's launch lineup and the slowness of the hand gesture UI. The review praised the system's powerful technology and the potential of its yoga and dance games.^[116] Kotakuconsidered the device revolutionary upon first use but noted that games were sometimes unable to recognize gestures or had slow responses, concluding that Kinect is "not must-own yet, more like must-eventually own."^[122] TechRadarpraised the voice control and saw a great deal of potential in the device whose lag and space requirements were identified as issues.^[118] Gizmodoalso noted Kinect's potential and expressed curiosity in how more mainstream titles would utilize the technology.^[123] Ars Technica's review expressed concern that the core feature of Kinect, its lack of a controller, would hamper development of games beyond those that have either stationary players or control the player's movement automatically.^[124]

The mainstream press also reviewed Kinect. USA Today compared it to the futuristic control scheme seen in Minority Report, stating that "playing games feels great" and giving the device 3.5 out of 4 stars.^[117] David Pogue from The New York Times predicted you will feel a "crazy, magical, omigosh rush the first time you try the Kinect." Despite calling the motion tracking less precise than Wii's implementation, Pogue concluded that "Kinect’s astonishing technology creates a completely new activity that’s social, age-spanning and even athletic."^[125] The Globe and Mail titled Kinect as setting a "new standard for motion control." The slight input lag between making a physical movement and Kinect registering it was not considered a major issue with most games, and the review called Kinect "a good and innovative product," rating it 3.5 out of 4 stars.^[126]

Sales

10 million units of the Kinect sensor had been shipped by March 9, 2011.^[1] Having sold 8 million units in its first 60 days on the market, Kinect has claimed the Guinness World Recordof being the "fastest selling consumer electronics device".^{[1][19][20][21]} According to Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter, Kinect bundles accounted for about half of all Xbox 360 console sales in December 2010 and for more than two-thirds in February 2011.^[127][128]

Awards

• The machine learningwork on human motion capture within Kinect won the2011 MacRobert Awardfor engineering innovation.^[129]

• Kinect Won T3's "Gadget of the Year" award for 2011.^[130] It also won the "Gaming Gadget of the Year" prize.^[131]

• 'Microsoft Kinect for Windows Software Development Kit' was ranked second in "The 10 Most Innovative Tech Products of 2011" at Popular MechanicsBreakthrough Awards ceremony in New York City.^[132][133]

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