Persian Penguin Network

[Oliver Kreylos] is using an Xbox Kinect to render 3D environments from real-time video. In other words, he takes the video feed from the Kinect and runs it through some C++ software he wrote to index the pixels in a 3D space that can be manipulated as it plays back. The image above is the result of the Kinect recording video by looking at [Oliver] from his right side. He’s moved the viewer’s playback perspective to be above and in front of him. Part of his body is missing and there is a black shadow because the camera cannot see these areas from its perspective. This is very similar to the real-time 3D scanning we’ve seen in the past, but the hardware and software combination make this a snap to reproduce. Get the source code from his page linked at the top and don’t miss his demo video after the break.

by H.a.D

Chinese PC maker Lenovo has announced plans to develop its own video game console for the Chinese market. The new platform’s name, EBox, not only invokes images of Microsoft’s own Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles, it will also come with a proprietary Kinect-like control scheme that will recognize shapes and movement without the need for a controller.A 40-strong team of engineers was spun off Lenovo earlier this month to create Eedoo Technology, the firm tasked with development of the Ebox. The console is expected to make its debut this November and hit the market by the first quarter of 2011. A price point has yet to be nailed down a bit lower but Lenovo estimates it to be a bit lower than the US$ 300 Xbox 360.Eedoo Technology boss Jack Luo believes they will be “the world’s second company to produce a controller-free game console, behind only Microsoft.” The EBox won’t aspire to HD-level graphics and hardcore gameplay, however, with Eedoo following Nintendo’s more casual-centric gameplan for the Wii.”Our product is designed for family entertainment. EBox may not have exquisite game graphics, or extensive violence, but it can inspire family members to get off the couch and get some exercise,” Luo said. He believes they will be able to sell more than 1 million EBoxes annually after the first two to three years.The EBox will come bundled with around 30 games. Sixteen “global video game developers” have reportedly already signed on to develop games for it.

By QJ