Many people say touch interfaces represent the present and future of user interaction with devices. I happen not to completely agree with this statement as touch input is not suited for all types of applications and definitely you can find a better alternative in many situation like when typing a long message or playing a game (you don’t want you hand to be on front of the screen so you can’t see what’s happening). Microsoft thinks that too, that’s why they’re working on a touch alternative for their gaming applications, called Project Natal.

    Project Natal can be described very simple: a controller without a controller. It’s a combination of video cameras and body recognition software that helps the controller realize what you want to do by following your movements. Also, to help seal the deal, voice recognition is  present. Even if at first games are the best application for Natal I can foresee a lot of office/business applications for Natal in the future. I believe Microsoft does too, but the safe bet is to first try this controller type in games, where no one can get hurt literally.

    Delivery date for Natal: Fall 2010

    Delivery date for Natal: Fall 2010

    Microsoft says about Natal that it will be able to learn the movements of its users, not the other way around like it happens today when you have to first learn a set of gestures, moves that can be recognized by a given controller. Microsoft says Natal is a 50-50% combination of hardware and software. My take is that they should give more credit to the software, as it will make the difference between success and shame.

    Project Natal seems like a nice way to play, but I have my doubts about certain fixes for situations like simulating walking/running (where you eventually run out of space to do the moves) and FPS shooters when you have to look left/right etc and if you move your body and head you loose contact of the screen, but for the latter I bet a multiple monitor setup that surrounds you might fix it.

    Project Natal will be available in Fall 2010 and will be compatible with any Xbox 360 game console. Now let’s take a look at two videos that explain Project Natal and demos how it works in real life (kind of, as it’s just a simulation).

    More video and info about Project Natal can be found here.