The Conversation: Hackers Kinect in a New Way

Nov. 23, 2010 — -- A device designed to allow people to play video games in a new way has sparked a wave of creativity.

Microsoft recently released a device called the Kinect, a piece of hardware that connects with Microsoft's popular Xbox gaming console.

Similar to the Nintendo Wii, the Kinect senses what's going on in three-dimensional space, with one big exception -- no handheld controller is required. Using a video camera and an infrared 3D camera, the Kinect scans your body, tracking movements in realtime.

What's groundbreaking about the Kinect, though, isn't necessarily its function as a gaming device. A community of hackers has tapped into Kinect's potential, connecting it to their computers to write software like you've never seen before.

Today on the Conversation, ABC's Linsey Davis spoke with three of the hackers who have started working with the device, and they say it brings some groundbreaking technology within the grasp of the average Joe.

"It's a piece of equipment that is usually very, very expensive. And it allows you to do things which you could only do with this really high-tech, expensive equipment, but now, for $150, we can all get one," said Memo Akten, who's developed software that allows him to draw and manipulate 3D doodles in the air around him.

We hope you'll watch today's Conversation to see more of Kinect's amazing applications and hear from the people behind them.

Watch more "Conversation" videos here.

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