Microsoft is reportedly repurposing its Xbox Kinect sensor to serve as a redesigned virtual reality controller as part of a new project named Handpose.
Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect sensor was a great sensor which fell to two vital flaws; it was an expensive addition to the company’s flagship console, and raised privacy concerns in lounges everywhere.
The fact that Microsoft proceeded to remove the Kinect sensor from later Xbox One bundles and entirely revoke the Kinect port found on the new Xbox One S seemed to indicate a death knell for the unit; however, it would seem that Microsoft has other plans.
Read: Microsoft unveils the Game of Thrones edition Xbox One
A new report indicates that the Redmond firm is actively repurposing the sensor in its research lab in Cambridge as part of a sophisticated project codenamed Handpose; the end goal of which appears to be the total repurposing of the sensor into a virtual reality controller.
A recent Microsoft blog post indicates that researchers are actively redeveloping the Kinect to better track hand and finger movements; the research team envisions that the sensor could be configured to track movement so as to control a Powerpoint presentation or accept a call over Skype.
The ‘Handpose’ technology is further depicted by users wearing virtual reality headsets; the nature or brand of which are unclear.
Microsoft briefly mentioned at E3 2016 that the Project Scorpio branded Xbox of the future would include support for the Oculus Rift. The ‘Handpose’ technology could refer to Microsoft’s development of a controller to rival Sony’s PlayStation Move.
Ultimately, ‘Handpose’ might repurpose the Kinect sensor into a dedicated motion sensor with better game and app integration than its first iteration brought to market.
Read: Microsoft wants to build a better Xbox than ever with Project Scorpio
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