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Technology

Microsoft's body-sensing, button-busting controller

By Colin Barras

6 January 2010

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Killing baddies with your bare hands (Image: Lihee Avidan/Reportage/Getty

Natal can recognise a pose in just 10 milliseconds

Natal can recognise a pose in just 10 milliseconds

(Image: Xbox 360 Natal Team/Microsoft)

The system locates body parts to within a 4-centemetre cube

The system locates body parts to within a 4-centemetre cube

(Image: Xbox 360 Natal Team/Microsoft)

Programming the Natal system with a basic understanding of human anatomy allows it to track body parts, even when not in view

Programming the Natal system with a basic understanding of human anatomy allows it to track body parts, even when not in view

(Image: Xbox 360 Natal Team/Microsoft)

A LONG-lived videogaming skill could be on the way out this year as Microsoft hones an add-on to its Xbox 360 console aimed at making button-studded games controllers obsolete. The device, called Natal after the…

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