Elevating Interactivity

This newly revealed Xbox 360 interface device called Project Natal is a major step forward for consumer electronics as well as a huge asset for commercial deployments of interactive exhibits and digital out of home experiences. The technology (software and hardware in the form of a black sensor bar) promises to allow full body gesture navigation of games using a microphone and two cameras to enable IR technology and biometrics (facial and speech recognition). Natal is clearly taking a cue from the Wii interface and one upping them by removing the wand and adding face and voice capabilities.  Here is a Microsoft video:

I have not had a chance to use Natal but assuming it works half as well as advertised you can easily see the possibilities for creating interactive experiences that are rich and allow for personalization without any physical id or controls. I’m not sure how it will work for multiple users but I’m looking forward to finding out.