Kinect sensor used to weigh astronauts?

It’s no news that Microsoft’s Kinect has come up as a challenge for many computer scientists and researchers who are anxious to expand the motion sensor outside its primary use, Xbox 360. And some of them have some really interesting ideas when it comes to the motion sensor and the camera array built into the device.
                     
Take Carmelo Velardo for example. The computer scientist works at Eurecom, France and has come up with the idea of using Kinect to weigh astronauts in space. Well, that’s surely something many of us haven’t thought of! Not even for a second.

The motion sensor would be used at the International Space Station and would replace the tracking systems that are currently weighing people in space and that are much larger and more complex.

What Velardo did was to team up with the Italian Institute of Technology’s Center for Human Space Robotics in Torino and to create the 3D model of an astronaut using Kinect’s depth-sensing ability. A statistical model that links weight to body measurements was then used by the team to run their calculation.

The estimates are said to be 97% accurate corresponding to an average error of just 2.7 kilograms. The project is believed to be feasible or at least this is what a NASA scientist says. Still, more tests should be made in order to make sure that the tests on Earth hold true in zero gravity.

The Kinect shopping cart makes shopping so much fun

With the Kinect software development kit out and about for Windows, developers have started to use their creativity and skills to expand the sensor outside Xbox 360. And there’s a great number of companies that work on all kinds of commercial apps for Kinect on Windows.

Whole Foods has come up with a “shopping cart of the future” concept. Developed by third-party developer, Austin-based Chaotic Moon, and making use of Microsoft’s Kinect sensor for Windows, this concept is said to make shopping a fun and easy activity. Thus, the motorized cart will not only identify the shopper with a loyalty card but will also follow him around the store scanning the items he puts inside the cart.

Moreover, this prototype marks off the list all those items the shopper already placed in the cart and also checks the shopper out in the end. The prototype was showcased during an event on the Redmond campus hosted by Microsoft’s chief research and strategy officer, Craig Mundie, on February 27th.

Still, there’s a lot of work to do before this technology is deployed. But if it’s to come out, many shoppers will probably resort to it. Other demos presented during the aforementioned event include an app that allows kids to interact with a wildlife show and one that offers an immersive tour of a new vehicle.

Microsoft to introduce $99 Xbox 360+Kinect with $15 monthly subscription

Just a month ago, rumors related to Microsoft’s Xbox 360 started to make the rounds pointing the company’s plans to introduce the game console in conjunction with a subscription at a reasonable price. Smart move if we take into account the fact that both online services and software have been sold as subscriptions. It was just about time for the game console to turn to do that.

So, what Microsoft is said to offer is a $99 version of the 4GB Xbox 360 that comes with Kinect sensor and a two-year subscription of just $15 per month. You’ll get access to the Xbox Live Gold service. Moreover, if you opt for this package you’ll get additional streaming content.

We all know that the video-game console market has been going through some hard times. With this move coming from Microsoft, things will probably do nothing else but to make the completion between Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo tighter. It’s no news that Microsoft has outsold the two other competitors.

Though it seems rather interesting, this package is believed to be not necessarily a good deal on the long run. Currently Microsoft is selling the same Xbox and Kinect for $299 with an annual subscription of Xbox Live Gold for $60. This means $420 over two years. You do the math now and see which of the two options is more indicated to go for.