Kinect hacks, research, and alternative uses

Microsoft selects 11 Kinect Accelerator startups for future app development

Microsoft has selected 11 startups to take part in its Kinect Accelerator program. Each startup will spend April to June in Seattle with office space and $20,000 in investment from Microsoft.

Tongue-controlled Kinect interface under development in Japan

A research team in Japan is developing a tongue-control interface for Kinect. The system could be used to train people with oral motor function disorders how to speak or swallow.

'Making Things See' can teach you how to hack the Kinect

Greg Borstein's book Making Things See from publisher Make: Books aims to be a practical guide to the world of Kinect hacking.

Microsoft releases Robotics Developer Studio 4 with Kinect support

Microsoft has released the latest version of its Robotics Developer Studio, which includes support for up to four Kinect sensors.

Kinect and Canon 5D combine for candid 3D imagery

James George and Alexander Porter have collaborated on a series of CCTV-inspired candid photographs, using custom software to combine the Kinect sensor's depth information with images from a Canon 5D.

Microsoft's transparent 3D desktop puts a virtual computing environment at your fingertips

Microsoft's Applied Sciences Group has shown off a prototype 3D desktop that allows users to type as they normally would, and then reach up to interact with virtual objects displayed on a transparent Samsung OLED screen.

Kinect-based DarwinBot lets you remotely play with and talk to your pet

DarwinBot is a remote-controlled robot that lets creator Jordan Correa play with his dog Darwin through a Skype video connection, robotic treat dispenser, and ball-launching arm.

Depthcam uses Kinect and HTML5 to let you pan and zoom live 3D video

Developer George MacKerron took a Kinect and gave birth to the depthcam. It produces a live video stream with 3D space that you can click and drag to virtually pan through, and you can use the scroll wheel to zoom.

South Korea's Live Park uses Kinect sensors and RFID to create an interactive 3D fantasy world

Microsoft's Kinect is being used to power Live Park, an interactive theme park in South Korea that allows visitors to use their expressions and gestures to control virtual avatars in a series of interactive 3D exhibits and installations.

Chaotic Moon Labs Board of Awesomeness: your hand is the throttle on this Kinect-controlled skateboard

We got a chance to ride Chaotic Moon Labs' Board of Awesomeness, an electric skateboard that uses your hand as a virtual petal.

Geomagic demonstrates Kinect-To-Print for 3D printers (video)

Geomagic, which powers 3D Systems Corporation's Kinect-To-Print 3D printing app, has released a video demonstrating turning a Kinect image into a printable template.

FIRST robotics competition to feature Kinect-powered robots

Microsoft hands out Kinect sensors to student robotics competition.

Reseachers create Kinect-powered system to weigh astronauts on sight

With an eye towards astronauts, researchers have created a system that uses the Microsoft Kinect to measure a person's weight just by looking at them.

Kinect aids in improving mobility and rehabilitating stroke patients

Kinect's finding its way into more and more areas of research as a comparatively cheap way to create 3D images. Increasingly, health practitioners are using the camera, and now we've heard of Kinect being used for gait analysis and rehabilitation.

Kinect mod for Skyrim adds voice and motion control to unleash your inner Dovahkiin

A modder has integrated Microsoft's Kinect with Skyrim on the PC, allowing players to use voice and motion controls with the game.

Kinect Beatwheel remixes music samples on the fly

It's DDR, but you create your own music by dancing. Ok, not really, but it has potential.

Microsoft's Kinect-infused Augmented Projectors make your entire room a touchscreen

Kinect Effect ad inspires, recognizes hacking community

Microsoft's video shows applications for Kinect being used in the arts, education, science, and medicine.

GLaDOS for Kinect is your contemptuous personal assistant

Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon researchers put a touchscreen on the palm of your hand

Researchers from Carnegie Mellon and Microsoft have created a new system that turns everyday objects into interactive touchscreens.

Self-Defense Training Camp for Kinect tries to turn you into a lethal weapon

Ubisoft's Self-Defense Training Camp for the Xbox 360 uses the Kinect to help teach you self-defense.

Kinect Fun Labs offers you some tech demos while you wait