tag:theconversation.com,2011:/uk/topics/kinect-8748/articlesKinect – The Conversation2016-10-17T11:07:32Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/670802016-10-17T11:07:32Z2016-10-17T11:07:32ZHow gaming technology could hack crime scene investigations<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/141834/original/image-20161014-30262-l3m36b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption"></span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Sherlock Holmes could examine a crime scene with nothing but his immense powers of deduction and perhaps a trusty magnifying glass. But real investigators today have much more sophisticated technology at their disposal for carrying out the crucial task of documenting and analysing a crime scene. <a href="https://www.policeone.com/police-products/3D-Laser-Scanners/articles/8720378-How-3D-laser-scanners-are-changing-crime-scene-investigations">3D laser scanning</a>, for example, allows investigators to quickly build a detailed and highly accurate computer model of the scene.</p>
<p>The problem is that this equipment is hugely expensive, often costing tens of <a href="http://surveyequipment.com/faro-focus-3d-x-330-laser-scanner">thousands of pounds</a> and making it inaccessible to smaller police forces and those facing funding cuts. Handheld scanners are available at a cheaper price, but they are more suited to smaller objects or human profiles, rather than documenting a whole crime scene. However, the task of capturing this detail in 3D could be simplified with technology from an unlikely source – the gaming industry.</p>
<p>Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect is a motion-sensing device designed to let people control and take part in video games using gestures and body movements. The original 360 device <a href="http://bgr.com/2013/02/12/microsoft-xbox-360-sales-2013-325481">sold 24m units</a> in the first two years after it was released in 2010. Microsoft later released a development kit that allowed other programmers to hack into the Kinect’s motion sensing capabilities and use it to control their own software. This opened an amazing new world of possibilities.</p>
<p>Developers used it to control the <a href="http://www.geek.com/news/kinemote-lets-you-navigate-your-xbmc-or-boxee-with-the-kinect-1301890">routine functions</a> of computers but also for more specialist applications such as operating surgical robots in place of systems that would otherwise have <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2011/01/20/university-of-washington-students-hack-kinect-to-aid-in-robotic">cost US$50,000 (£39,000)</a>. But perhaps the Kinect’s greatest function is its ability to capture landscapes and objects in three dimensions, with accurate colour mapping and texturing.</p>
<p>Last year, researchers from the University of Vigo, Spain, proposed that the original 360 Kinect might be useful for 3D <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25069827">modelling crime scenes</a>. Their results showed that the 360 Kinect produced too much noise (visual distortion caused by low light) to produce sufficiently accurate measurements unless placed very close to the objects it was scanning. At just three metres away, the Kinect produced errors of between 2-10% in the measurements. While this may seem small, accuracy is everything when it comes to crime scene recording.</p>
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<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/141839/original/image-20161014-30244-18s67q1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/141839/original/image-20161014-30244-18s67q1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/141839/original/image-20161014-30244-18s67q1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/141839/original/image-20161014-30244-18s67q1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/141839/original/image-20161014-30244-18s67q1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/141839/original/image-20161014-30244-18s67q1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/141839/original/image-20161014-30244-18s67q1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Cheap tech.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jared009/5158427846/in/photolist-8RQhT9-8UNRFh-dLsFZM-9Fypt3-8UsCfM-bX1QA1-rDtkYy-9FypxW-rDyZi6-9DurF5-bynip4-9cZCnc-8XvzoL-9kYzJQ-acedfY-94zkRz-aRWujP-bkspKW-9y6ocZ-9y6fK8-eYUZ4g-bF8xy2-8KcKLZ-acecW7-9y9rd3-92PBcR-8YEk4o-8TGEKj-9y9th5-aKroDD-9j6gJH-cmCpv7-f7KXPc-9nbMns-9zYT21-9SekPY-aJic5g-eYWvFn-8bMSnK-bDehga-9Sbsf2-8bRahC-aqFZB5-95RgjE-9SbsWp-9SbrVt-9SekvC-9j4cvk-9Sekbb-acbnjr">Jared721/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC</a></span>
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</figure>
<p>The updated Xbox One version of the Kinect features a camera with a pixel depth of 512x424 pixel depth camera (compared to the original’s 320x240 sensor), which means it can capture a <a href="http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6964815/?arnumber=6964815">wider image with better focus</a>, even in low light situations. The software enhancements and hardware improvements means that it now transmits two gigabits of data per second. This translates to faster capture times when panning and tilting the sensor to record 3D spaces and, most importantly, <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277564106_Evaluating_and_Improving_the_Depth_Accuracy_of_Kinect_for_Windows_v2">less noise and measurement inaccuracies</a>.</p>
<p>The Kinect’s improvements were so significant that NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab signed up for Microsoft’s developer programme in November 2013. The NASA engineers used the new Kinect in combination with an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset to create a system that could allow an astronaut to manipulate a robotic arm just by moving their own arm in the same way. They <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2013/12/23/nasa-jpl-control-robotic-arm-kinect-2/">called it</a> “the most immersive interface” they had ever built. </p>
<h2>Building your own 3D scanner</h2>
<p>To capture a crime scene in its entirety, the Xbox One Kinect sensor (£89) could be combined with a simple, cheap (£30) computer such as the Arduino Leonardo, a Raspberry Pi, a robotic rotation kit (£60) and tilt kit (£25). This would enable crime scene examiners to automatically scan an entire location in 360 degrees. A laptop with reasonable processing power (at least £999) and a Windows adapter (£38) would also be needed to run the system, but the total cost of the necessary equipment would still come in at less than £1,500. This would be about 43 times less than <a href="http://gizmodo.com/future-cops-get-every-inch-of-evidence-by-3d-scanning-c-1509403617">pre-existing commercial systems</a> available on the market today.</p>
<p>The assembly and operation would be simple and most of the components work straight out of the box without any need for tinkering. Open-source software is freely available and even <a href="http://skanect.occipital.com">commercial offerings</a> go for less than £150. Specialised software systems only come bundled with hardware and cost as much as <a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/virtual-reality-tamir-rice-3d-laser-scans-shootings-san-bernardino/">£150,000</a>.</p>
<p>Although more crime scene technologies have come onto the market, their price has not significantly come down, so they are still out of reach for thousands of police forces from across the world. The possibilities of Kinect suggest that maybe it’s time for police forces to take a proactive step in improving their own technologies with a hack of their own. Using a Kinect-based system would be a simple, cost-effective method that could aid investigations and ensure justice in court.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/67080/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Mehzeb Chowdhury does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Microsoft Kinect’s cheap sensors could create low-cost 3D computer models of crime scenes.Mehzeb Chowdhury, PhD Researcher in Forensic Science & Criminal Investigations, Durham UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/545512016-03-14T19:13:35Z2016-03-14T19:13:35ZOrang-utans play video games too, and it can enrich their lives in the zoo<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/114903/original/image-20160314-11299-1tgqr2o.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">An orang-utan playing with the interactive digital projector at the Melbourne Zoo.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Microsoft Research Centre for Social Natural User Interfaces at the University of Melbourne</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Visiting the orang-utans at the zoo brings us face to face with some of our closest relatives. Moments of connection with these intelligent creatures can be powerfully emotional. </p>
<p>We heard recently about the <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-09/breastfeeding-mother-has-emotional-encounter-with-melbourne-zoo/7153746">amazing experience</a> of a visitor to Melbourne Zoo who sat to breastfeed her child and was watched with interest by a female orang-utan. </p>
<p>Families are also regularly captivated by the antics of the Zoo’s youngest orang-utan, who seems to delight in playing near children on the other side of the glass.</p>
<p>Now Zoos Victoria and technology researchers are collaborating to explore whether digital technologies could let orang-utans choose to interact safely with visitors in entirely new ways.</p>
<h2>Digital enrichment</h2>
<p>For modern zoo organisations such as Zoos Victoria, the animals’ wellbeing is top priority. Cognitive enrichment is vital, particularly for species such as primates and elephants which evolved astonishing intelligence and problem-solving skills to meet the challenges of survival in the wild. </p>
<p>Research suggests that <a href="http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/zoo.21207">orang-utans like to watch what’s happening</a> on the visitors’ side of the glass, and interacting with visitors could be an important form of enrichment for them.</p>
<p>There is a real art to developing enrichment that encourages smart animals to use their intellect to explore and solve problems. On occasion, keepers at Melbourne Zoo have taken hours to prepare a new fiendish food puzzle, only to see the orang-utans solve it in a <a href="http://www.pearsonplaces.com.au/Places/Magazines_Place/moreanimals.aspx">matter of minutes</a>. </p>
<p>And of course enrichment must be safe and robust (an orang-utan can be nine times stronger than a human), which limits the equipment that zoos can use. </p>
<p>To continue to provide novelty and variety, primate keepers have started to add digital enrichment to the range of existing activities. At Melbourne, and a number of other zoos, <a href="http://goo.gl/3BR9Xo">orang-utans have learned to use a tablet computer</a> through the wire of the enclosure to play with chase games, music-making and painting apps. </p>
<p>As a team of technology researchers and zoos professionals, we are investigating new forms of digital enrichment. Our collaboration began as the result of a happy accident: a Melbourne Zoo staff member happened to visit the <a href="http://www.socialnui.unimelb.edu.au/">Microsoft Research Centre for Social Natural User Interfaces</a>, and had the opportunity to play a video game with the Microsoft Xbox and <a href="http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/Kinect">Kinect</a> body tracker. </p>
<p>She quickly realised that motion-based games could provide entirely new ways to address the challenges of orang-utan enrichment. </p>
<h2>Touching games</h2>
<p>Computer-based enrichment is <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.20353">an attractive prospect for zoos</a>. It could be easily modified to provide new challenges, or tailored to an individual orang-utan’s skill level. It overcomes some of the safety issues of introducing new physical objects. And it might allow animals a choice of enrichment when keepers are not available. </p>
<p>We have created an interactive projection which works like a touchscreen on the floor, using a projector and a Microsoft Kinect body tracker placed outside the enclosure. Recently we have been trialling simple games to show the orang-utans that this interactive projection responds to their touch, and start investigating how they might use it. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/114626/original/image-20160310-26256-1eg6hwg.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/114626/original/image-20160310-26256-1eg6hwg.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/114626/original/image-20160310-26256-1eg6hwg.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=464&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114626/original/image-20160310-26256-1eg6hwg.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=464&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114626/original/image-20160310-26256-1eg6hwg.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=464&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114626/original/image-20160310-26256-1eg6hwg.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=584&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114626/original/image-20160310-26256-1eg6hwg.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=584&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114626/original/image-20160310-26256-1eg6hwg.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=584&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A virtual touchscreen projected into the orang-utan enclosure.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Joshua Newn, University of Melbourne</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In our first game, which has proven a big success, large coloured dots move around the projection and explode in pulsing waves of colour when touched. The interests of Melbourne Zoo’s orang-utans have inspired some of our apps, including one which allows the animals to view photos or videos, choosing them from a gallery. </p>
<p>We are confident that the orang-utans would quickly learn to use the touchscreen if we train them to. However, as part of our research we have let orang-utans explore the touchscreen without direction. </p>
<p>By not rewarding them for using the projection, we have been able to investigate how interesting this enrichment is to them, see how intuitively they take to it, and see their preferred ways of interacting with it. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/114902/original/image-20160314-11292-zt0ma2.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/114902/original/image-20160314-11292-zt0ma2.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/114902/original/image-20160314-11292-zt0ma2.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=471&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114902/original/image-20160314-11292-zt0ma2.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=471&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114902/original/image-20160314-11292-zt0ma2.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=471&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114902/original/image-20160314-11292-zt0ma2.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=592&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114902/original/image-20160314-11292-zt0ma2.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=592&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114902/original/image-20160314-11292-zt0ma2.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=592&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">‘Catch the dot’ game helps orang-utans learn how to use the virtual touchscreen.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Joshua Newn, University of Melbourne</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The six orang-utans at Melbourne Zoo have all tried out the interactive projection, and most seem to have learned that fun things happen when they touch the bright moving shapes on the floor. </p>
<p>Excitingly, they have shown us some unexpected styles of interaction, such as kissing the projection, sweeping it with the back of the hand, exploring how it works with physical objects and even swooshing a cloth at it from above. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/114634/original/image-20160310-26242-153nvvl.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/114634/original/image-20160310-26242-153nvvl.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/114634/original/image-20160310-26242-153nvvl.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114634/original/image-20160310-26242-153nvvl.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114634/original/image-20160310-26242-153nvvl.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114634/original/image-20160310-26242-153nvvl.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114634/original/image-20160310-26242-153nvvl.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/114634/original/image-20160310-26242-153nvvl.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">An orang-utan investigates the photo gallery.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Microsoft Research Centre for Social Natural User Interfaces at the University of Melbourne</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Interactive connection</h2>
<p>We hope that digital technology will allow animals greater choice over their environment and enrichment. A first step will be for orang-utans to choose which game to play. </p>
<p>In the future, they might be given control over lighting or temperature, or perhaps even feeding schedules and interaction with other animals or humans. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/112482/original/image-20160223-16425-1bbt5mp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/112482/original/image-20160223-16425-1bbt5mp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/112482/original/image-20160223-16425-1bbt5mp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=443&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/112482/original/image-20160223-16425-1bbt5mp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=443&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/112482/original/image-20160223-16425-1bbt5mp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=443&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/112482/original/image-20160223-16425-1bbt5mp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=556&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/112482/original/image-20160223-16425-1bbt5mp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=556&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/112482/original/image-20160223-16425-1bbt5mp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=556&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">An orangutan and keeper play a game on either side of the glass, at Melbourne Zoo.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Zoos Victoria</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As orang-utans seem to find humans interesting, we are experimenting with creating a shared digital space where orang-utans can choose to interact safely with keepers and even visitors. </p>
<p>In our first trial of a game for humans and orang-utans, we saw with delight that they chose to play even with people they had not met before, creating a powerful sense of connection for the human player. </p>
<p>The day is perhaps not far off when digital technology might let you get closer than ever to our primate cousins.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/54551/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Sarah Webber receives a Top-Up Scholarship from the Microsoft Research Centre for Social Natural User Interfaces (SocialNUI) at The University of Melbourne.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Marcus Carter is a Research Fellow at the Microsoft Research Centre for Social Natural User Interfaces (SocialNUI) which is funded by the Victorian State Government, the University of Melbourne and Microsoft.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Sally Sherwen works for Zoos Victoria.</span></em></p>An experiment providing interactive games for orang-utans is showing the potential for digital technology to enrich the lives of zoo animals.Sarah Webber, PhD Student in Human-Computer Interaction, The University of MelbourneMarcus Carter, SocialNUI Research Fellow, The University of MelbourneSally Sherwen, Animal Welfare Specialist, Zoos Victoria, The University of MelbourneLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/223752014-01-29T14:41:54Z2014-01-29T14:41:54ZSorry gamers, Wii Fit is no substitute for real exercise<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/40118/original/mjdsd24r-1390997776.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Exercise in front of screens has yet to take off</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">wiiuspiele</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>It’s been about ten years since Sony popularised “exergaming” – games where you move your body along with the game – with the release of Eye Toy. The device projected players into video games by getting them to control an avatar through body movement and sound. Now you can bowl or play tennis on the Nintendo Wii, Dance with the Sony PlayStation Move and kick a football on the X-Box Kinect.</p>
<p>People often spend too much time in front of screens doing sedentary things such as watching TV, using computers and playing games, rather than getting enough physical activity. So the combination of playing games with movement in front of a television screen seems like a great idea for people who find it difficult to get other exercise or just enjoy indoor gaming.</p>
<p>But while exergaming has been shown to increase energy expenditure under laboratory conditions, there is still <a href="http://www.bhfactive.org.uk/homepage-resources-and-publications-item/353/index.html">little evidence</a> to support the long-term benefits of relying on it to improve your health.</p>
<h2>Overnight success</h2>
<p>Exergaming became an almost overnight phenomenon after Wii was launched in 2006. Not only because of its new hand held motion controller and other peripheral devices, but because it changed how consumers viewed gaming consoles and was popular with everyone including parents.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3339488/">Some schools</a> have even included exergames in their PE programs to motivate students who do not like traditional sport and for use when bad weather restricts participation in traditional physical exercise.</p>
<p><a href="http://bjsportmed.com/content/42/7/592.full">Early research</a> exploring the health benefits of exergaming focused on the energy used while playing. They showed that Wii games, for example, could contribute to health benefits from physical activities and reduce sitting time. But when placed in people’s homes the novelty <a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/02/22/peds.2011-2050.abstract">quickly wore off</a>.</p>
<p>It isn’t all about gamers though. The Wii, along with newer consoles, has been used for <a href="http://journals.sfu.ca/loading/index.php/loading/article/viewArticle/107">rehabilitation</a> and in other clinical settings where activity can be monitored.</p>
<h2>Evolving market</h2>
<p>Microsoft raised the exergaming bar in 2010 with the release of the Kinect Optical Sensor. The Kinect differed from previous technologies because now the player acted as the controller. Body, arm and leg movements are detected by the sensor and used to play games. Similar to the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Kinect Games when played in controlled environments could have <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23684507">cardiovascular health benefits</a> and over multiple gaming sessions could see <a href="http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/g4h.2013.0037">similar levels of energy</a> being used.</p>
<p>Before Kinect was released in 2010, extracting human movement from captured video required complex analysis that was time-consuming and very expensive. As well as untethering the Kinect sensor from the gaming console and hand held remotes, <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57573697-75/microsoft-offers-kinect-code-samples-under-open-source/">Microsoft opened the software</a> that controls the console to all software engineers.</p>
<p>With Nintendo releasing the Wii U in 2012, Sony the PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One released in 2013, each with variations on how people interact with the console and games, the exergaming market continues to evolve and there are now more opportunities for the gaming market <a href="http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2223792&dl=ACM&coll=DL&CFID=287042660&CFTOKEN=40497902">to develop exergames</a> and potential health benefits.</p>
<h2>Sticking to the game</h2>
<p>If you’re prepared to play these games with as much energy as you can, this constitutes as exercise. At the very least they will reduce the time you spend sitting. Games that require full body movement, like zumba dancing, are more likely to require greater energy expenditure than games with only arm movements, like tennis. </p>
<p>New exergaming technology has the <a href="http://gizmodo.com/the-xbox-ones-secret-killer-feature-getting-you-in-sh-509243228">potential</a> to monitor energy expenditure through heart rate reading and better body tracking. This might also encourage people to be more active when playing.</p>
<p>Exergames have so far not proven to be a panacea for physical inactivity – largely because people don’t play them regularly enough and they seem to have a short shelf-life. The current crop are far less popular than the more traditional style games like Grand Theft Auto, first person shoot ‘em ups like Call of Duty and sport simulation games like FIFA Soccer – which all require minimal physical exertion.</p>
<p>There are probably health benefits to be gained from existing exergames. But like many existing pieces of exercise equipment they require motivation to set up and turn on, discipline to use and perseverance. As the technology evolves there is certain to be plenty of opportunities for them to be part of a healthy lifestyle.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/22375/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michael Rosenberg and colleagues received a research grant from The Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation to develop a health rating scale for active video games </span></em></p>It’s been about ten years since Sony popularised “exergaming” – games where you move your body along with the game – with the release of Eye Toy. The device projected players into video games by getting…Michael Rosenberg, Associate Professor, Health Promotion Evaluation Unit, The University of Western AustraliaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.