REDMOND, Wash. – Feb. 24, 2011 – Microsoft provided a glimpse into computing’s future at the Microsoft Home this week, showing demos of 3D and virtual worlds, vision systems that create new models for interacting with computers, and research that explores potential scenarios for Kinect beyond gaming.

Mundie and Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, also announced plans to make a Kinect for Windows software development kit (SDK) available this spring. The non-commercial SDK will be geared to academics and enthusiasts.

See videos of some of the demos in the Rethinking Computing newsroom.

Behind the Demos: Exploring Natural User Interfaces

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A Look at Avatar Kinect for Xbox

Avatar Kinect replicates a user’s speech, head movements and facial expressions on their Xbox avatar. Avatar Kinect lets users hang out with friends in virtual environments and shoot animated videos to share online. Redmond, Wash. Feb 21, 2011.

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Microsoft Surface: Sensing & Interaction

One of the demos showed new interaction models available with Microsoft Surface 2.0. The table itself is one big camera that can “see.” It is able to recognize the direction of hands and finger orientation, as well as objects, such as a paint brush, and respond to multiple touch points. Redmond, Wash. Feb 21, 2011.

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3D Scanning with a Regular Camera

In this demo, researchers use a regular digital camera to shoot a series of 2D images, which are then automatically converted into a 3D model. The demo works using a camera phone as well. The model data is stored in the cloud and viewable via a standard Web browser. Redmond, Wash. Feb 21, 2011.

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Creating 3D Models from 2D Photos

Here, researchers use a camera to shoot images of a statue of Buddha, which are then rendered as a 3D model that can be manipulated. Redmond, Wash. Feb 21, 2011.

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Mirage Blocks

Using a stereoscopic projector and the Kinect camera, real objects are rendered digitally in a 3D space. Redmond, Wash. Feb 21, 2011.

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Photo-Realistic Talking Head

A photo-realistic 3D model of a “talking head” is animated in real-time, one technique bringing us closer to more believable avatars. The talking head on the right is delivering the text being entered on the left in real-time. A synthesized video overlay provides the detail in the face. Redmond, Wash. Feb 21, 2011.

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Retro Reflective Air Gesture Display

In this Applied Sciences Group demo, the display can see the hand above the surface. Using a retro reflective screen, camera and projector, computer vision algorithms can interpret above-screen gestures, such as a closed finger loop, to write, paint or control navigation. Redmond, Wash. Feb 21, 2011

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Conceptual Vision Demo

Craig Mundie shows a number of conceptual vision demos created by his Strategic Prototyping group to illustrate how new technologies might come together in the future. Redmond, Wash. Feb 21, 2011.

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Remote Organization

The conceptual vision demo shows how we could use our phones to remotely organize the work and social hubs of our lives. Redmond, Wash. Feb 21, 2011.

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Image Manipulation Using Surface

Craig Mundie uses Surface to reveal data associated with a photo as part of the conceptual prototype. Redmond, Wash. Feb 21, 2011.

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New Interaction with Images Using Surface

Craig Mundie uses Surface to manipulate a photo as part of this conceptual prototype. Redmond, Wash. Feb 21, 2011.

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