Autoblog

Hand gesture controls coming to a car near you?

Zach Bowman — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:02:00 EST

It looks as if the gesture-sensitive interface for the Cadillac Cue infotainment system is just the beginning of gesture integration in our vehicles. Wired reports that Microsoft is already investigating ways to incorporate technology lifted from its Xbox Kinect. Likewise, Harman has unveiled a new system that recognizes both hand and facial cues to control various cabin features. Drivers can reportedly use eye blinks to turn the stereo on, tilt their heads to turn up the volume and even tap the steering wheel to skip songs. Temperature adjustment gets taken care of by raising or lowering a hand above the gear shift, while pulling up a Bluetooth-connected phone is as simple as mimicking a phone with a hand.

How does it work? The system relies on an infrared sensor to "watch" for certain gestures. When it sees them, it passes a signal to separate processor, which in turn handles the connected hardware.

That sounds all well and good, but as anyone who's stood cursing at a motion-activated faucet in an airport restroom can tell you, these systems aren't foolproof. Fortunately, Harman says it won't have anything ready for market until it's been thoroughly tested, which may be up to three years from now.

Hand gesture controls coming to a car near you? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's Asimo + Kinect = Creepy animatronic hokey-pokey

Zach Bowman — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Japan, Technology, Videos

When the end of the world comes, it will arrive on the shoulders of dancing robots. The researchers behind Asimo, the humanoid robot from Honda, have tapped into the muscle behind the Xbox Kinect system to allow users to control Asimo using nothing more than their own body movements. With self-collision safeguards and upper and lower body correlation programming in place, the adorable face of our robotic overlords is moving more like a human than ever before. What's more, Aismo can now utilize a database of text-inspired gestures as a form of communication.

Why does this matter? In the past, programmers had to individually code the movements in each of Asimo's joints in order for the robot to be able to perform a simple task. The design required a symphony of programming just for the robot to be able to walk across a stage. Now Asimo merely requires a human to move naturally in order to instruct his joints. It's a massive step forward. We're guessing it wouldn't take much to be able to record those movements for future replay, either. Hit the jump to check out the video.

Continue reading Honda's Asimo + Kinect = Creepy animatronic hokey-pokey

Honda's Asimo + Kinect = Creepy animatronic hokey-pokey originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forza 4 brings Kinect functionality to the racing sim

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Videos, Toys/Games

Forza 4 and Kinect in action - Click above to watch video after the jump

Polyphony Digital took its sweet time bringing us GT5. It took five years for the game to arrive in stores and the homes of PS3 fans across the world. Turn 10 Studios clearly works a bit quicker, and the next chapter in the Forza series is on schedule for a late 2011 arrival. Forza 4 will no doubt be packed with slick graphics and drool-inducing vehicles, but the gaming company is also taking advantage of another Microsoft tie-in - Kinect.

The Kinect system for the Xbox 360 "sees" a players movements. Kinect allows the player to interact with the game, without using controllers. Forza 4 will allow a user to drive a car using his or her hands to mimic a steering wheel. It's more than playing "kiddie vroom vroom" though. Kinect will allow you to look into turns, take tours of the vehicles and walk around the parked cars.

Sounds kind of crazy? Click past the jump to check it out for yourself.

Continue reading Forza 4 brings Kinect functionality to the racing sim

Forza 4 brings Kinect functionality to the racing sim originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forza Motorsport 4 video hits the web

Aaron Richardson — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 16:07:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

Forza Motorsport 4 - Click above to view video after the jump

Someone at Turn 10 Studios has apparently "leaked" (sure, guys) a fully-polished, high-quality sneak peek at its upcoming Forza Motorsport 4 to YouTube. The newest installment of Forza leverages Kinect technology, allowing players to open the doors and hoods of their cars with hand motions and fire the engine from the driver's seat. During a race, Kinect also lets players look around corners by detecting head movement.

Turn 10 says its goal is to produce the best-looking racing sim of 2011, employing methods like image-based lighting to get as much photorealistic quality as they can out of each car and track. Turn 10 also says that Forza 4 will have the most extensive range of models to choose from, with cars from over 80 manufacturers. Plan on slipping Forza 4 into your XBOX 360 in October. In the meantime, check out the "leaked" trailer after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Forza Motorsport 4 video hits the web

Forza Motorsport 4 video hits the web originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 16:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Car Gifts for Christmas: The Big Gifts

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:59:00 EST

Our second list of car gifts for Christmas focuses on those big gifts you get from Santa, or the one present that breaks the bank of the gift giver. Too rich for your blood? No problem, check out some less expensive gift ideas here.

See the list...

Continue reading Car Gifts for Christmas: The Big Gifts

Car Gifts for Christmas: The Big Gifts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Drive a Chevy Volt without using your hands on the Xbox Kinect

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

Click above to view the video after the jump

There's a whole lot of technology built into the Chevy Volt, and some upcoming advertising for the plug-in hybrid looks to be just as futuristic (unlike General Motors' earlier efforts). Case in point: Chevrolet and Microsoft Advertising have announced that its new hands-free Xbox 360 Kinect accessory used with a new game called Kinect Joy Ride, will let you virtually test drive the Volt. In case you were wondering, this isn't about you figuring out if a real Volt is right for you; the Kinect is really about providing advertisers "an innovative way to connect with consumers by enabling them to physically explore and engage with a brand through voice and gesture." Microsoft is also showing off the Kinect technology with a Forza Motorsport tie-in but Chevy is the first ad partner for the device (the Kinect, not the Xbox, which is flooded with ads).

In order to drive the Volt in the game, players will first need to unlock the car and watch a Chevy Volt ad either on Xbox Live or on the web. Microsoft also demoed a huge potential Chevrolet Volt campaign at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival today that includes being able to:

"...add a local Chevrolet promotion event to their calendar to go test-drive a Volt or use voice-enabled search on Bing to find locations near them. Chevrolet will be the first auto marketer to incorporate a branded advertising experience for the new Windows Phone 7."

There may also be Microsoft Surface tables and and Kinect kiosks at future Volt promotional events. There's a video interview with Paul Edwards, executive director of marketing strategy with General Motors, talking about the ad deal after the jump.

[Source: Microsoft, Fast Company, Clickz]

Continue reading Drive a Chevy Volt without using your hands on the Xbox Kinect

Drive a Chevy Volt without using your hands on the Xbox Kinect originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft shows off Kinect-capable version of Forza Motorsport [w/video]

Tim Stevens — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Toys/Games

Forza Motorsport with Kinect controls - Click above to watch video after the jump

The Electronics Entertainment Expo is underway in California, and Microsoft has kicked things off by unveiling its new Kinect peripheral for the xBox 360. Kinect (formerly "Project Natal") is an advanced camera that can track your body as you stand in front of your TV, enabling what Microsoft is calling controller-free gaming. The primary titles shown were silly ones involving running, jumping, and other types of tomfoolery that will appeal to the casual crowd, but there was a Forza Motorsport tie-in that might just make motorheads take notice.

If you're a Forza fan, then chances are you've spent more than a few seconds ogling the incredibly high-res versions of the cars shown in your virtual in-game garage. Now, with Kinect, it appears as if you'll be able to get a little closer. The camera can track you as you physically walk around, enabling you to "walk around" your virtual steeds. As you move, the perspective shifts. The demo car was a Ferrari 458, naturally in red, which a spokesman was able to explore, crouch to get a closer look at its carbon ceramic brakes, and even open the door with a wave of his hand and take a seat inside.

Gorgeous, but not particularly exciting. A short demo was also given of a simple gameplay mode, which you play by holding your hands in front of you as if you were holding a steering wheel to control the car. This mode looked to be a challenge to see how many cars you can pass in a limited period of time, but with seemingly no way to accelerate or brake we're guessing this will be little more than a passing distraction.

This version of Forza is said to be coming sometime in 2011, so it won't be here for the November 4 launch of Kinect. Neither was there a mention of whether this will be a free update for Forza Motorsport 3 or a whole new title. Given the limited amount of content here, we're hoping for the former. Check out the keynote during which the Kinect-enabled version of Forza was demonstrated after the jump.

[Source: Engadget]

Continue reading Microsoft shows off Kinect-capable version of Forza Motorsport [w/video]

Microsoft shows off Kinect-capable version of Forza Motorsport [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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