Tag: Microsoft Kinect

Microsoft Kinect Used to Help Visually Impaired Do Yoga

YogaWhat is the woman in the photo above doing wrong? To those of us that don’t do yoga it looks like a typical yoga pose, but this is actually the incorrect Warrior II pose. For those who are visually impaired it might be hard to follow to visual cues when doing yoga. Now researchers at the University of Washington have developed a program, dubbed the Eyes-Free Yoga, which utilizes the Microsoft Kinect software to track body movements and provide auditory cues in real time for six popular yoga poses.

“My hope for this technology is for people who are blind or low-vision to be able to try it out, and help give a basic understanding of yoga in a more comfortable setting,” said project lead Kyle Rector, a UW doctoral student in computer science and engineering. Continue reading Microsoft Kinect Used to Help Visually Impaired Do Yoga

Get a Full Body and Brain Workout on Kinect

The recent craze for Soduku puzzles and brain teaser games such as Brian Camp now adds a new component: the body. Namco Bandai is adding a physical element with its upcoming Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect title Brain and Body Connection. Working with Japanese neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, the party game aims to stimulate both mind and body with topics such as math, logic, reflex, memory and physical-related questions. The game uses Kinect’s full-motion capabilities with its sensor, which picks up on movement for tasks such as creating a bridge with your arms to allow cars and busses to drive over gaps and even change levels.

A lot of these games are either all mind, or mindless. Brain and Body combines the two. While it might not make you sweat, the combination of thought and movement tasks is stimulating. It’s also done in a fun atmosphere so you can enjoy playing it to get some activity in your day, or throw it in to play with a few friends and even add laughter to your workout.

Namco Bandai Games official website