Next-Generation Kinect for Windows Coming in 2014

Bob Heddle, Director of Kinect for Windows, said that the next generation model won't arrive until 2014.

According to Heddle, both the Windows version and the sensor that will be packed with the Xbox One are being built on a shared set of technologies. However the Windows version will aim at bringing new computing experiences to the desktop whereas the Xbox One model will focus on revolutionizing gaming and entertainment.

"We’re continuing our commitment to equipping businesses and organizations with the latest natural technology from Microsoft so that they, in turn, can develop and deploy innovative touch-free applications for their businesses and customers," Heddle said. "A new Kinect for Windows sensor and software development kit (SDK) are core to that commitment."

Some of the key capabilities of the new Kinect sensor include a higher fidelity, an expanded field of view, improved skeletal tracking, and a new active infrared (IR). We've heard all about these new features over the last several days, but his pitch in Thursday's blog focused on the non-gaming sectors like businesses, hospitals and so on. As an example, users will have the ability to develop enhanced rehabilitation and physical fitness solutions thanks to the improved skeletal tracking.

"The combination of the new sensor’s higher fidelity plus expanded field of view will give businesses the tools they need to create truly untethered, natural computing experiences such as clicker-free presentation scenarios, more dynamic simulation and training solutions, up-close interactions, more fluid gesture recognition for quick interactions on the go, and much more," he said.

"The all-new active-IR capabilities allow the new sensor to work in nearly any lighting condition and, in essence, give businesses access to a new fourth sensor: audio, depth, color…and now active IR," he added. "This will offer developers better built-in recognition capabilities in different real-world settings—independent of the lighting conditions—including the sensor’s ability to recognize facial features, hand position, and more."

Additional information about the next-generation Kinect for Windows will be provided next month during BUILD 2013.

  • Orlean
    If it's implemented correctly this could actually be a neat addition to the PC platform.
    Reply
  • velocityg4
    Finally instead of quickly typing and using a mouse I can use LSO signals to write a letter and navigate the web.

    "... including the sensor’s ability to recognize facial features, hand position, and more."

    The question is will the computer know what you are doing or wig out whenever adult entertainment comes on?

    Reply
  • Cory Reisch
    10868610 said:
    Finally instead of quickly typing and using a mouse I can use LSO signals to write a letter and navigate the web.

    "... including the sensor’s ability to recognize facial features, hand position, and more."

    The question is will the computer know what you are doing or wig out whenever adult entertainment comes on?

    some one made a porn game for the last one so why not
    Reply
  • drwho1
    I never cared for it when it was first introduced.... and I probably won't care for it 2 or 3 decades from now either.
    Call me "outdated Microsoft" but I will always use a Keyboard and Mouse and the "occasional" game pad.
    Reply
  • ccovemaker
    Trix are for kids and so are Kinect games! They keep their garbage spy game on the consoles I am going to pass.
    I don't PC game to jump around like an idiot and if I want to exercise I will go outside.
    Reply
  • edogawa
    10868849 said:
    Trix are for kids and so are Kinect games! They keep their garbage spy game on the consoles I am going to pass.
    I don't PC game to jump around like an idiot and if I want to exercise I will go outside.

    This could be really awesome for the PC. The modding community could come up with some really cool stuff using Kinect.
    Reply
  • merikafyeah
    Meanwhile, the Leap Motion controller is 100x more sensitive and therefore useful than the current gen Kinect, and already does all the things that Kinect R2 promises to do at a significantly cheaper price. There's also a definitive release date: July 22, 2013.
    http://blog.leapmotion.com/post/50933421954/windows-os-video
    Microsoft better bring something truly amazing to the table in 2014, otherwise July 22 marks the end of Kinect.
    Reply
  • Albert Rampo
    this and Oculus Rift will be amazing no need for a mouse to aim or keyboard to move just tilt your head to move and aim with your hand like your holding a gun :D
    Reply
  • DarkSable
    Good for game developers, but then again, they should have them already.
    The rest of us... spending $200 so our computers can spy on us too? No thanks.
    Reply
  • bartosz trzaska
    iAplee had this feature long time ago ! , next !
    Reply