Microsoft Research Brings Mid-Air Multitouch To Kinect. Control Your Computer Like 'Minority Report'

Microsoft Research recently showed off a Kinect project that allows fine-tuned gesture control.  This motion sensing device is now able to read whether your hand is open or closed, bringing mid-air multitouch like what you see in 'Minority Report,' all thanks to a new development of the software.

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UK University To Research Stroke Victim Recovery Using The Kinect

Nottingham Trent University is to conduct research using Microsoft's Kinect to help stroke victims.

After being awarded £347,000, the team will spend 18 months building a prototype system using the Kinect, which will provide real-time feedback to doctors and patients with facial paralysis through an on-screen avatar.

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Disney Creates Robot That Plays Catch

Disney Research have built a robot that plays a scarily humanlike game of catch, tracking the user and the ball with its eyes.  Aimed for use in Disney's theme parks of the future, it can also juggle too.

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University Researchers Use Xbox Kinect To Control Lasers

Researchers at the University of Dundee have used the Xbox 360 Kinect sensor to control optical tweezers, a set of laser beams used to manipulate particles.

Physicists control the particles through their body movements, which are read by a Kinect-based interface called "HoloHands."  While not completely perfect yet, with a latency issue and the occasional misinterpration of the user's movements, the interface has been quite successfully tested moving silica particles.  

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Kinect mod for Skyrim allows you to unleash Dragon Shouts in a whole new way

So after Microsoft realised the potential of Kinect with the unveiling of the SDK not too long ago, there's been plenty of additions that can't help but make us fall in love with the capabilities of the motion sensor that were hidden behind the likes of Rise of Nightmares and Kinect Sports.  

This time, it's the turn ot Youtube user KinectFAAST, who integrated the hardware with his copy of Elder Scrolls: Skyrim (read our review) on the PC to an awesome degree.  Voice commands can open the quest journal, switch weapons and access their favourites.  Conversations can be struck up with NPCs by simple saying "hello," and (of course) dragon shouts are capable, in true Gandalf-on-the-bridge-in-the-mines-of-moria style.  This is all possible via Voice Activated Commands: mapped recordings of dragon shouts and other commands to their respective in-game actions.

Beside this the motion control makes for a double-whammy of impression, allowing the player to perform nearly all forms of interaction with movements and gestures that don't actually appear more awkward than the actual activity itself.  We look forward to seeing whether Bethesda will take this opportunity for an official update.  Check out the video below.