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Microsoft Releases Xbox Kinect SDK, Hackers Get to Work

Microsoft opened up the Kinect Software Developement Kit to coders everywhere Thursday. (Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com)

Microsoft on Thursday released a software development kit for its Kinect gaming system, and hackers are already testing the limits of what the device can do.

After the release of the SDK, Microsoft invited a group of developers to its headquarters in Redmond, Washington to see what kinds of applications they could come up with for the device. Dubbed “Code Camp,” the developers were given 24 hours to create programs that would interact with the Xbox-based motion-sensing device.

Initially released in November of 2010, the Kinect replaces the traditional Xbox controller with the movements of your actual hands, using a camera that translates motion into controlling the videogame you’re playing. The device was a hit for the company; Kinect sales surpassed10 million units in March.

But the Kinect’s release proved to be bigger than just a hands-free videogame controller. The device’s motion controller opens doors to application across all sorts of fields, from major advances in robotics to medical research. Until now, sensors and cameras used for capturing the motion of 3-D objects were either cumbersome and expensive, or cheap and unreliable. At $150, the lightweight, compact Kinect is capable of capturing real-time 3-D motion at the perfect price.

Initial Kinect application ideas ranged from the bland — such as a human-controlled version of Atari’s Pong — to the nerdy — like the augmented-reality program that drops a lightsaber in your left hand.

The coolest by far, however, was the “Quadracopter” hack, which lets you move a four-propeller-powered helicopter through the air with a mere flick of your wrists, seen below:

Coders can access the Kinect’s video, microphone and depth sensors to build on the low-level data streams taken in by the hardware. They can also access some of the more high-level capabilities like noise and echo cancellation, and skeletal tracking makes gesture-navigation in applications possible.

For major platforms, launching a software development kit is a big deal. When launching a new piece of hardware like the Kinect, building a robust ecosystem of applications is important to attract potential buyers. In order for that to happen, hardware companies need to court the developer community, enticing coders to build different programs for the new device. Recently, Apple has seen the most success in this realm, as its iOS platform contains over 500,000 applications available for download in its App Store. Similarly, Android is catching up with over 200,000 in the Android Market.

What’s difficult to imagine, however, is how Microsoft can build its developer base of Kinect coders when there seems to be little financial incentive for them to join. As Make points out, Microsoft’s developer agreement terms essentially state “you can?t start a business, make money, sell services or consulting” using the SDK.

“Under the terms of the license for this SDK Beta, you cannot deploy applications created with the SDK Beta for use in your business operations,” according to the noncommercial-use terms Microsoft makes developers agree to. “Even if no fee is charged or received in connection with such use, such use in a business is still a commercial use and is not permitted under the SDK Beta license.”

This is arguably one of the biggest stumbling blocks for Android, which is being beaten out by iOS in terms of making developers more money.

Still, the impetus for Microsoft’s SDK release began with amateur coders creating homebrewed hacks with the Kinect for the fun of it. If opening up the SDK leads to more of this, Kinect’s platform could grow much larger.

???Of course, Microsoft’s SDK release is initially available to Windows 7 developers only.

5 Robots That Can Get Their Groove On

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In case you haven't heard, Rebecca Black pulled her "Friday" video from YouTube this week. Now what are we going to be "so excited" about?

Over here at Gadget Lab, we're so excited about robots.

We've seen robots that can crawl and walk, ones that can climb walls using electroadhesive film, and some that are a bit less talented, but just look darn good.

Today, we focus on bots that have one thing in common: These guys can dance.

Check out everything from the HRP-4C's uncanny valley-straddling popstar-style moves (above), to the cute, cheerful bouncing of the squishy yellow Keepon.

I wonder how long we're going to have to wait for a Saturday Night Fever cast entirely with robots. I give it two years.

Above:

Pop Sensation HRP-4C

HRP-4C is half fembot, half stormtrooper, and all talent.

Over 30 motors in HRP-4C's humanoid form allow her 5-foot, 2-inch frame to move like a human. She was developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan.

The video above is from the 2010 Digital Content Expo, which took place in October. Her voice is that of Kaori Mochida, a Japanese pop star, after being run through AIST's synthesizer software called VocalListener.

Her most recent escapade, below, is performing at Yamaha Motors' booth at the 2011 Jisso Protec show. Maybe we'll get to see her stateside at CES 2012. I can only hope.