The more I explore the world of Kinect’s potential uses, the more my jaw drops. I knew a year ago that this was going to be incredible stuff. However, I had individuals in gaming and family members blowing the idea that it was going to do anything.  There’s been a lot of hacking and experimentation since I let it go a year ago.  They’ve proven my original hypothesis correct. They’ve also proven that this thing is going beyond what I originally thought.

These are videos from my research into Kinect:

Robotics : Making the machine aware

The JediBot demonstrates the use of the Kinect to give a robotic arm the ability to react to human movement. It is a bit crude and a bit slow but the idea of creating I,Robot won’t be so unimaginable with this type of experimentation and research. I was definitely impressed.  I’ve seen others using the Kinect to control a robot in videos but not one that allowed the robot to react appropriately to the outside world.

Augmented Reality: Adding to our environment

Image Control

Projection Mapping:

These videos clearly show 2 different aspects of the potential of augmented realities. In the first video, the woman is controlling the projected bird while in the second video, the man is clearly interacting with protected spheres. The idea of a 3d light object is the only thing that has not yet been invented. I would also say that whatever it is will have to be developed in a way that we aren’t all sitting in the dark for our augmented reality. Given what is currently occurring, I’d say it’s fair to make the assumption that this is not so far away.  Holodeck here we come.

NAVI: Navigational Aids for the Visually Impaired

I’m just going to say it. HOORAY!! What better use of any technology can there be than to help someone. Imagine if one day this technology can actually do more than help a blind person become aware of their surroundings via sound.  This has got to be the best use of the technology and truly thinking outside the box.

3d Reconstruction Mapping:

This pretty much shows it all. Amazing reconstruction utilizing a single Kinect then skinning the resultant 3d object. I’m not sure how much when into programming this type of application. I do have some concerns as to whether or not we’re putting a whole generation of 3d real modelers back to work in the special effects industry or changing their job descriptions.

Gesture Recognition:

This is probably the thing the Kinect is most known for- Gesture Recognition. This video showed me something I was not so sure was possible, recognition of finger joints and hands. I did see one complaint about the technology that got me thinking but this finger articulation proves that complaint is without merit. The complaint was that the user would not want to stand up to use their computer. Finger gesture recognition resolves that issue. Evoluce’s Win&I is already in release for the Kinect for Xbox for gesture recognition in Windows. There were some complaints on Amazon regarding the lack of software and drivers with the Kinect. I think they were mostly from end users who are trying to get the cutting edge which right now is the bleeding edge. The product description clearly stated that it came with no software and was released for software developers who will use it to develop new software.

Lots of innovation going on right now with this technology.  I can’t wait till I get to plug one my Kinect in and start experimenting.