While we've been toying around with motion controls and touch screens, the lab whizzes at Microsoft Research have been developing the next, next big things in interactive entertainment. In this, their latest futuristic tech demo, the group shows off a prototype of an interactive 3D HoloDesk; a technology which could very well be the next step in holographic gaming and/or adult entertainment.
The HoloDesk works by super-imposing images over a clear viewing window and tracking hand movements via the Kinect, thereby giving users the illusion of playing with three dimensional objects. Explaining the more sciencey bits, Microsoft writes:
“A virtual image of a 3D scene is rendered through a half silvered mirror and spatially aligned with the real-world for the viewer. Users easily reach into an interaction volume displaying the virtual image. This allows the user to literally get their hands into the virtual display. A novel real-time algorithm for rep- resenting hands and other physical objects, which are sensed by the Kinect inside this volume, allows physically realistic interaction between real and virtual 3D objects.”
This is one of the latest innovations brewing at Microsoft Research. Earlier this year, we took at a look at how Steerable Multiview Displays may change the way we use split-screen gaming. Check out many more potentially mind blowing technologies at the Microsoft Research website.
Oct 24, 2011
