Marines put Microsoft Kinect to work, but not for gaming

NetworkWorld ^ | Sep 29, 2014 6:52 AM PT | Andy Patrizio

[Utilizer]

Microsoft has made the Kinect motion detection sensor available for use in commercial and non-gaming scenarios for some time, but for some reason it hasn't really caught on. We've heard next to no stories about people using it, although it could always be that they are keeping quiet for a competitive advantage.

But a military contractor has come up with something that has the U.S. Marine Corps interested. The Augmented Reality Sand Table is currently being developed by the Army Research Laboratory and was on display at the Modern Day Marine Expo that recently took place on Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

According to The Marine Corps Times, the set-up is simple: a table-sized sandbox is rigged with a Microsoft Kinect video game motion sensor and an off-the-shelf projector. Using existing software, the sensor detects features in the sand and projects a realistic topographical map that corresponds to the layout, which can change in real time as observers move the sand around in the box.

[Utilizer]

I'm wondering why no one has thought of doing this already?

[knittnmom]

It’s extremely sensitive - a slight bump and it needs recalibrated. If they can resolve that, it would be much more useful in the real world.

[RJS1950]

I read several articles about this a few years back when the Kinect was in Beta and when it first came out. The technology is being used for a lot of interesting things im many areas including medicine. Not new, just becoming more common.

[adorno]

...but for some reason it hasn't really caught on

I've read and heard of many different applications which are being designed to use Kinect.

For example: Medical researchers are finding incredible uses for Microsoft’s Kinect

http://news.yahoo.com/medical-researchers-finding-incredible-uses-microsoft-kinect-213152507.html

[adorno]

...but for some reason it hasn't really caught on

More about applications for Kinect: Kinect hacks, research, and alternative uses

http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/6/2616242/kinect-hacks

[Uncle Miltie]

Why wouldn’t one create a series of passive listening posts outside your perimeter composed of commercially available security system cams with good microphones?

You could run the whole thing wirelessly, silently, with few humans, etc.

Then, all you need to do is hook each up to a claymore, and ....

[Utilizer]

Batteries (electric, not the artillery kind), especially functional ones, are rather difficult to come by in your typical battlefield environment.

[huldah1776]

I like the way you think, however, can it be hacked?

[huldah1776]

How about they create mini cameras on those i-spy bees and fly them around for real time intel.

[OldNewYork]

Interesting.