If you think the Natal Project is one of robot dolls sent to take over the world, click here, but odds are you've heard the buzz around Microsoft's new baby. This voice-activated, motion-controlled device burst onto the scene at E3 this year and promised to "revolutionize" the user experience, whether the user was a gamer or not.
Power on your Xbox 360 by voice command, use the Force and scroll through a list of your favorite videos, or scan your own items in and use them in game. Even without the Star Wars reference, it's clear that Project Natal is a force to be reckoned with.
Until now.
Meet the Theremin. This is technology's Granddad, and like Natal, requires no physical contact from the user. Here's the kicker: despite its sleek-looking appearance, this electronic marvel has been around since 1928. Does this mean we've had this kind of potential for 81 years? You may be thinking, "Waaait a second, isn't this only used as a musical instrument?" And you would have been correct.. until four years ago. In 2005 the theremin, or aetherphone, was used in video gaming and people have now released video evidence of its supreme power.
A True Nerd's Thoughts: How does it work?
A Youtube Theremin gamer explains:
"The sound from the theremin is split into its frequency and amplitude components in real time, which are then mapped to values in a linear scale representing the X and Y axis. Pitch becomes horizontal control, and Volume becomes vertical control. The X and Y scales are then cut up into different zones. The trigger zones are then mapped onto a virtual joystick hooked into an emulator."
A Gamer's Thoughts: Forget that, let me see it in action!
Theremin being used to play Super Mario Bros.
So there's your proof. Does this 81 year-old machine have what it takes to beat out Microsoft's cutting edge technology, or will Xbox leave the Theremin singing a sad tune? You decide.
Natal Camera image courtesy of TechShots
