One of our major bugbears with Microsoft's Kinect system is that you need a pretty big room, clear of space, for the system to be truly effective - all well a good if you live in a small mansion, but not ideal if you live in a pokey flat or bedroom.
The problem is further exacerbated if you want to play two player as you are instructed you step back from the sensor a considerable 8 ft for two player to work and, of course, so that you don't whack you playing partner in the faced during an intense game of Kinect Sports.
Well on show at the this year's E3 is a new peripheral from Nyko who have come up with a solution for this problem by tricking the system into thinking your room is bigger than it actually is.
Their Nyko Zoom add-on for the Kinect attaches a set of wide-angle lenses over the motion sensor’s camera system, effectively tricking the unit into thinking your room is 40% or so bigger. In theory, it means the Kinect should then play nicely from distances of around four or five feet.
The technology is currently being demoed at the E3 games convention, and has so far been met with praise; the clip-on attachment doesn’t seem to hinder the Kinect’s motion-tracking capabilties in any way too.
According to Nyko, this means the Kinect needs up to 40 percent less space than without the Zoom. Because it’s just a set of lenses that fit over those on the Kinect, it doesn’t need any power or complex installation; it just slides on with little or no technical knowledge.
With an expected retail price of $30, it’s a far cheaper solution than knocking a wall out of your house to make more room.
One thought on “Nyko Lens Solves Kinect Room Size Bugbear”
Hope this becomes widely available in the UK. Would definitely benefit from one in my tiny front room!