Rumors suggesting Microsoft would venture into motion controls came to fruition this morning with the unveiling of Project Natal during Microsoft’s E3 Press Briefing.
Project Natal, pronounced “nuh-tall,” is designed to remove the controller entirely from playing videogames. Whereas Nintendo’s Wii requires using a controller and nunchuk to capture movements, Project Natal does so hands-free, so-to-speak.
The system uses an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software packed into a single device. The device is able to track full body movement in 3D and voice commands, including changes in inflection.
Project Natal will be able to recognize your face and use that to log you into Xbox Live. This technology could also be theoretically used to verify inputting credit card information to keep the kiddies from making purchases when mommy and daddy are not around.
Project Natal with its full body motion control and voice recognition does not have a release date at this time but it is confirmed to work with any model of Xbox 360.
