New Kinect hardware can read objects from 50cm

Microsoft is building a Windows-specific version of the Kinect motion controller with a range of potential improvements made to the peripheral.

The headline enhancement to the new device is that it will be able to read objects that are about half a metre away from the depth camera.

“This is one of the most requested features from the many developers and companies participating in our Kinect for Windows pilot program and folks commenting on our forums,” said Kinect for Windows manager Craig Eisler.

“We have optimised certain hardware components and made firmware adjustments which better enable PC-centric scenarios,” he added.

The device will come with a small dongle “to improve coexistence with other USB peripherals”.

Microsoft recently rolled out a second beta edition of its Kinect software development kit for Windows.
The updated SDK provides faster and more accurate skeletal tracking and joint recognition, as well as the ability to plug and unplug Kinect without losing work, Microsoft said.

The range of improvements to the SDK comes several weeks ahead of commercial program aimed to highlight the potential of Kinect for numerous industries.

It is said that more than 200 businesses worldwide, such as Toyota, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Razorfish, have joined the Windows pilot program to begin exploring its commercial possibilities.

No release date has been set for the new hardware