Xbox Kinect Can Work for Gamers in Wheelchairs
posted on Jul 12 by Amelia in the Technology, Wheelchair Accessibility, Wheelchair Technology category
Many of you have probably heard about the new xbox coming out this fall called Kinect. This new technology allows users to dance, run, dodge, bend, and kick instead of using any controllers such as the current xbox or wii console games. This is a fascinating turn in technology towards a completely hands-free gaming experience, but do they have gamers with disabilities in mind?
At the unveiling earlier this year, it was noted that the game was not very accessible to those on the couch or in a wheelchair – you had to stand to play. In response, this is being changed in time for the launch. The new Xbox Kinect will have the capacity to be used sitting or standing – yet, it is up to individual game developers to include sitting as a recognized stance in the game. This means that you will need to look at the individual games in order to know if it is compatible with gamers in wheelchairs.
Microsoft has focused on making Kinect compatible with seated gamers in the menu system for browsing Netflix movies, Xbox Live, and other apps already. They recognized that it won’t do much good to have an enabled game for sitting if you have to stand up to access it.
This also gives developers the chance to create games that are based on sitting and perhaps offer new challenges or maneuvers for game play.
Kinect was announced last year under the name Project Natal and will hit stores this November.
Have you seen this new technology with the Xbox Kinect? Check it out: Here is the original video showcasing the Xbox Kinect, formerly known as Project Natal.
Here is a video showing how the menu system will work along with other sneak previews.
14 Comments
Amelia, posted this comment on Jul 22nd, 2010
Sure, you can post our stuff in your blog. And yes, we have a Twitter account at http://www.twitter.com/amsvans
Thanks!
Dane, posted this comment on Nov 8th, 2010
Hi, Interesting article!
I don’t have my left hand and arm to the shoulder; and my right hand is nearly normal but I don’t have elbow.
How will the Kinect react to me?? would I be able to play?? (For example in the racing games that have been seen in previews… Do I have to hold the steering wheel with both hands?? if not it won’t work??
I have serached the internet but found nothing (well just speculative articles)!
I hope you can help me! =)
Thanks
Brenda, posted this comment on Nov 9th, 2010
The kinect is out already and i want to buy it for my husband but im iffy, idk if its going to work for him since his in a wheelchair.
Ived read the info but do u have any new updates on how the game work on people in wheelchairs?
Quyen, posted this comment on Nov 14th, 2010
I am in a wheel chair and I love playing kinect. But not able to play alot of the games that I have baught is not is not fun, but my family loves the games. I just wish that the new games that comes out will be able to be played by a person in a chair. Over all my family enjoy the system and games that is played. They also get a great workout from it as well.
jarad maryott, posted this comment on Dec 4th, 2010
I have a 13 yr old son in a wheelchair and the sensors do not even recognise him and I can not find any settings that would allow the sensor to work for him. He waives his hands and it is as if he is not even there. My 7 yr old is recognizes and is much shorter then my sn in the wheelchair. Any thoughts or help would be greatly helpful and would put a smile on my sons face if there is a fix. Thank you
Mitchell Stayton, Jr., posted this comment on Dec 10th, 2010
does anyone kno if i’ll b able to play shooter ganes from my wheelchair, r there any laws or anything that are on ourside concerning this?
Patricia Taylor, posted this comment on Dec 26th, 2010
My niece is in a wheelchair and we are having issues with the Kinect sensor locating her. Is there any way to remedy this problem?
Is the xbox kinect for the disabled?, posted this comment on Jul 13th, 2011
[...] Answers: Teddy Chiliswoman Answered:http://www.amsvans.com/blog/1462-xbox-ki [...]
motorized wheelchairs, posted this comment on Jul 28th, 2011
I met with person who was always use his wheel chair because he has no left leg, i think he play kinect. It’s sensor work fine as i read in the related article.
zachary, posted this comment on Aug 8th, 2011
I was upset with microsoft when i read that people in wheelchairs can”t play kinect because i am disabled my self so make changes to the kinect or i will never buy another of your products again
Andrew, posted this comment on Dec 7th, 2011
What were you expecting it to grow you a new pair of legs? or me a new spine? It”s like the blasted WII without the controller to throw through the screen, its not a bloody miracle worker. Use common sense people!
The Kinect has one major flaw, It needs to be mounted atleast 6 feet up on a wall and aimed down twards the people it needs to recognize for it to work. Also if you are too close or too far away it fails to work.
Sooo, that common sense thing… steps to recovery…
1. mount Kinect no higher than 6feet above the TV and no less than 2feet from the ground.
2. No obstructions in the playing area
3. You cannot play with the lights off, but you can get by with semi-low light. The games rely on the RGB and Infrared cameras/emitters to sense depth and motion.
4. You must make a Kinect profile to go with your regular profile, it is like your finger print… If you change the finger print too much it doesn”t know who you are… So wearing baggy clothes and hats is out of question.
Most of the racing games, and any game that is only arms/hands only is wheelchair accessible.
Most of the games that use voice will function unless you have a speaking disability.
Accessible Gaming: Why Don't We Hear More About It? | Wheelchair Accessibility Blog and Disability News, posted this comment on Jan 25th, 2012
[...] Xbox Kinect Can Work for Gamers in Wheelchairs [...]
concerned, posted this comment on Mar 31st, 2012
How hard is it to make a controller that works similar to Wii or ps3 type models? I mean I knew microsoft was always looking out for themselves only but I never thought they would stoop so low as to alienate an entire population of people that cannot stand/move their legs. This has got to be the biggest discrimination move I”ve ever seen by a major corporation. Someone should file a class action suit against xbox.
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lenta_news, posted this comment on Jul 21st, 2010
it was very interesting to read.
I want to quote your post in my blog. It can?
And you et an account on Twitter?