Microsoft's Project Natal - A game changing technology for Advertising?

iMicrosoft's project Natal incorporating motion-sensing technology is poised to revolutionize the gaming industry. While Wii was a game changer in terms of introduing a new level of interactivity to gaming, Project Natal enable hands free control of objects giving users a level of interactivity that is truly something out of science fiction.

The technology that is added to Xbox has three components:

• Video camera that can track in real-time where you are and what you are doing
• An infrared monochrome camera that can detect depth and motion even in the dark
• A highly sensitive microphone that can detect voice commands that combined with acoustic software can detect sounds coming from a particular direction and so can isolate to a person in a group
• A host of sophisticated image and voice recognition software that can identify movements, gestures and voice commands to control and drive objects

I was bowled over by the short video clips demonstrating the technology. A boy enters the room and is at once detected by the entertainment system. He then begins to interact with the character in the game all without using any devices, just hand gestures and body movement.. Amazing...

Obviously aimed at the gaming/entertainment sector, this technology has at once incredible potential and uses in multiple industry sectors. For advertising, this offers a new level of interactivity to engage customers through say digital signage and kiosks to build brand presence. Furthermore, with its ability to track human joints, movements etc, we now have the ability to get further metrics regarding the person interacting with the signage/kiosk something that existing systems lack. Examples include, sex, height, shape of the person that can in turn be used to trigger the placement of appropriate products ( clothing sizes etc) to be displayed.

In addition to applications in marketing, this technology also can benefit the elderly and disabled people to enrich their lives. Imaging controlling various objects in the room such as opening doors, turning off/on various devices in the house through gestures and movement. The system can detect where you are and can potentially even be programmed to send alerts to 911 if the person has fallen down.

In short this technology has the potential of truly raising the bar in human machine interaction and I am looking forward to see its applications in a variety of areas..