 |
Kinect consists of a horizontal sensor bar (pictured above) that is mounted on a motorized pivot and connected to the Xbox 360 via USB cable. The bar is designed to be positioned above or below the television display.
Thanks to a product tear-down by Tom's Guide, we have learned that there are several pieces of technology inside the Kinect bar. Here's a list of some of the key components found inside:
- InfraRed CMOS Camera (part of depth sensor functionality) - (320 x 240)
- InfraRed Projector (part of depth sensor functionality)
- Color CMOS Camera (640 x 480)
- An array of four microphones
- Tiny motor
- Three-axis accelerometer
- 64MB DDR2 SDRAM
- Cooling fan
There is no doubt that Microsoft has packed a lot of technology into their new product. The device has been selling very well this holiday season. Along with the introduction of the Playstation Move, gamers have finally been treated to a more immersive gaming experience at home.
Is this style of interactive gaming brand new? Not entirely, if you look at the innovative things that the Walt Disney Company has been doing in its theme parks for several years.
In late summer 2007, Disney unveiled a series of five interactive games in their Soarin attraction queue that allows groups of waiting park-goers the chance to control the action on large 11' by 25' overhead screens using their arms and bodies, without the use of a controller. Each game allows groups of approximately 50 people that form in front of each game screen to collaborate and compete in a series of interactive experiences.
 |
| Soarin' queue games developed by Playmotion - Photo via Playmotion |
The games allow those waiting for Soarin' to have a blast while they await entrance to the attraction itself. The interactive games take about 25 minutes in total. Certainly a welcome diversion opposed to simply standing idle and doing nothing while waiting.
While Microsoft has certainly been successful in packaging similar technologies into a relatively affordable consumer entertainment product, we need to tip our hats to and give major kudos to Disney and the developers at PlayMotion for having the foresight and drive to get this style of interactivity out in the public eye well in advance of Kinect's debut. I wonder if Microsoft saw how successful these queue games are and used them as an impetus to develop Kinect.
Disney has been revolutionizing entertainment and experiences for decades. To find out more about how Disney is using interactivity and technology to manage theme park queues, please read this excellent article at the New York Times.
What do you think about Microsoft Kinect? If you have it, do you like it? Have you seen the interactive games at Disney parks first hand, and if so, what are your impressions?
