Azure Kinect

The Azure Kinect DK is a developer kit and PC peripheral which employs the use of artificial intelligence sensors for computer vision and speech models, and is connected to the Microsoft Azure cloud.[1][2] It is the successor to the Microsoft Kinect line of sensors.

Azure Kinect
DeveloperMicrosoft
Release dateMarch 2020 (March 2020)
Introductory price$399.00
DiscontinuedOctober 2023 (October 2023)
Operating systemWindows, Linux
Camera12 megapixel RGB camera;
1 megapixel-depth camera
PlatformMicrosoft Azure
PredecessorKinect
Websiteazure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/kinect-dk/

The kit includes a 12 megapixel RGB camera supplemented by 1 megapixel-depth camera for body tracking, a 360-degree seven-microphone array and an orientation sensor.[3][4][5] The sensor is based on the depth sensor presented during 2018 ISSCC.[6]

While the previous iterations of Microsoft's Kinect primarily focused on gaming, this device is targeted towards other markets such as logistics, robotics, health care, and retail.[4] With the kit, developers can create applications connected to Microsoft's cloud and AI technologies.[7] The Azure Kinect is used in volumetric capture workflows through the use of software tools that can connect many Azure Kinects into one volumetric capture rig, allowing users to create interactive virtual reality experiences with human performances.[8][9]

The Azure Kinect was announced on February 24, 2019 in Barcelona at the MWC.[10] It was released in the US in March 2020, and in the UK, Germany, and Japan in April 2020.[11]

Microsoft announced that the Azure Kinect hardware kit will be discontinued in October 2023, and will refer users to third party suppliers for spare parts.[12]

References
  1. "Buy the Azure Kinect developer kit – Microsoft". Microsoft Store. Archived from the original on 2019-02-26. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  2. "Azure Kinect DK – Develop AI Models | Microsoft Azure". azure.microsoft.com. Archived from the original on 2019-03-23. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  3. Thorp-Lancaster, Dan (2019-07-11). "Azure Kinect developer kit hits general availability". Windows Central. Archived from the original on 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
  4. "Microsoft Lures Investors With Azure Kinect & Partner Updates". finance.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
  5. Lardinois, Frederick (July 2019). "Microsoft's $399 Azure Kinect AI camera is now shipping in the US and China". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
  6. mattzmsft. "Depth camera whitepaper - ISSCC 2018 - Mixed Reality". docs.microsoft.com. Archived from the original on 2019-05-10. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  7. Ranger, Steve (February 25, 2019). "What is Microsoft's Azure Kinect DK?". ZDNet. Archived from the original on 2020-03-07. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
  8. Legkov, Az Balabanian & Petr. "Volumetric Video, Depth Cams, and Filmmaking using Depthkit, with Alexander Porter - 081". Research VR Podcast - The Science & Design of Virtual Reality. Archived from the original on 2019-08-06. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  9. "Announcing Azure Kinect support in Depthkit!". Depthkit. 11 July 2019. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  10. "Microsoft unveils next-generation HoloLens headset and $399 'Azure Kinect' camera for developers". GeekWire. February 24, 2019. Archived from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  11. "Microsoft Store - Azure Kinect". Archived from the original on 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  12. "Microsoft kills Kinect again". August 21, 2023.
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