Microsoft Buys Motion-Sensing Firm Canesta
Microsoft is getting serious about motion sensing outside the gaming environment.
Last year we reported that Sunnyvale, California-based 3D chip maker Canesta was developing a "Project Natal Killer" technology for the PC and laptops. Canesta defined the tech as a family of tiny CMOS 3D "camera" chips that provide a real-time, 3D "depth map" of the surrounding area--essentially allowing cameras to "see" in 3D. These chips could not only be used in PCs and laptops, but in televisions, gaming consoles and even smartphones.
Friday Microsoft said that it will purchase Canesta for an undisclosed amount, with an expected acquisition by the end of 2010. As part of the deal, Microsoft will acquire Canesta's products, technology, intellectual property, customer contracts and other resources.
"This is very exciting news for the industry," said president and CEO Jim Spare. "There is little question that within the next decade we will see natural user interfaces become common for input across all devices. With Microsoft’s breadth of scope from enterprise to consumer products, market presence, and commitment to NUI, we are confident that our technology will see wide adoption across many applications that embody the full potential of the technology."
The acquisition may tie into rumors surrounding Windows 8 and the possible inclusion of facial recognition and gesture controlling. Currently Microsoft is on track to release its motion-sensing device for the Xbox 360 in mere days, allowing gamers to ditch the standard controller and interact with games using their bodies. However there's been talk for years that Microsoft wants to move away from the mouse and keyboard and integrate a more natural user interface (NUI) for the PC and notebooks.
Canesta's previous clients include Sony and its EyeToy for the PlayStation consoles, Honda, Hitachi and more.
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Sounds awesome. Can't wait to see what comes of this with M$ looking to invest more in this tech.
the mouse and keyboards are here to stay. personally i love the feel of a tactile keyboard and the click of a mouse, it makes it that much better
good to see M$ money invested on technology, at least if they dont win the race at least they tried
With a dual or triple 30" monitor set up, it would be handy sometimes for an OS or app to know which part of the display I'm looking at.
Go M$ but please make a 7 out of it
the mouse and keyboards are here to stay. personally i love the feel of a tactile keyboard and the click of a mouse, it makes it that much better
It doesn't necessarily have to replace keyboards and mice. It can supplement them.
Now for a ridiculous yet hilarious idea - 3D audio visual motion capture passwords! Not only does someone have to look and sound exactly like you, but they have to perform the correct chicken dance too. Now that's security!
Naw they just bought them so they cant sue them because Microsoft probably stole and used part of there tech in Kinect LOL.
Just Joking, but you know its probably true lol.
I can see a practical application here
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Auto converting sign language into text, that would be the killer app
We love our keyboard and mouse because they've been associated with computers since the dawn of time. However, when you think about it, do it really make sense to tap our fingers on little plastic squares? Isn't there any other way to input our controls in a more natural and faster way?
Until motion, voice and thought controls reaches the efficiency of a keyboard and mouse, those peripherals are there to stay. But someday...
I'm waiting for Steve Jobs to cry that he wanted this company too...
Not to tinfoil hat this topic but am I the only one who sees the parallels between Orwell's 1984 and the TVs with cameras in them to observe people and enforce the "laws" and kinect?
Watch the kinect promo videos and listen to the language being used to describe it's capabilities. It is awesome technology don't get me wrong but in an era where the government intelligence organizations can remotely activate the microphone on your cell phone, this just seems like a precursor to invasive monitoring and statistic gathering. (look at the kind of data kinect can gather about a user and you'll see what I mean)