Microsoft packs Kinect into a small PC accessory

Microsoft has revived Kinect with a small PC accessory with cameras and microphone and a developer kit. The module is intended for developers and businesses, not consumers, the company emphasizes.

The Azure Kinect DK, as Microsoft calls the device, has a 1-megapixel depth camera, a 12-megapixel camera, seven microphones for 360-degree reception, gyroscope, accelerometer and IR sensors. The device measures 103x39x126 mm and weighs 440 grams. As applications Microsoft mentions computer vision and speech models, with which the Kinect module is aimed at businesses, education and developers. The calculations are done via Microsoft’s Azure cloud service.

Microsoft explicitly states that the Azure Kinect DK is not a replacement for the Xbox Kinect. The device costs $399. It is another attempt by Microsoft to find applications for its Kinect technology.

Kinect started as an accessory for the Xbox consoles for gesture control games and later for Windows systems. That was not a great success and in 2017 the company stopped production. Microsoft did integrate the technology in its HoloLens glasses for augmented reality, of which Microsoft unveiled a new generation during MWC in Barcelona.