Microsoft releases Kinect SDK for Windows 7 PCs
Microsoft has announced the release of the first beta version of the Kinect SDK (Software Development Kit).
This SDK allows developers (or at least hobbyists and academics (the tools to create and build applications that make use of the Xbox 360 Kinect sensor. The SDK offers access to the raw data streams from sensors in the Kinect, including the depth sensor, color camera sensor, and microphone array.
The Kinect for Windows SDK beta is a programming toolkit for application developers. It enables the academic and enthusiast communities easy access to the capabilities offered by the Microsoft Kinect device connected to computers running the Windows 7 operating system.
The Kinect for Windows SDK beta includes drivers, rich APIs for raw sensor streams and human motion tracking, installation documents, and resource materials. It provides Kinect capabilities to developers who build applications with C++, C#, or Visual Basic by using Microsoft Visual Studio 2010.
There are some limitations:
- This is Windows 7 only, for now at any rate
- Its use is limited to non-commercial and academic usage
Despite these initial limitations, I think that it's awesome that Microsoft has made this SDK available to developers wanting to experiment with the Kinect.
Grab the Kinect SDK here.
So, what (non-commercial) projects have you got planned?