Kinect-Based Helicopter Heralds a Terrifying Robotic Dawn

[John Funk]

Kinect-Based Helicopter Heralds a Terrifying Robotic Dawn

Is this Kinect-driven quadrocopter merely a cool hack, or are we teaching our consoles how to fly around and kill us all?

[gamevideos=700642810001]

Whether or not you like Kinect as a game device, there's no question that it's some pretty cool hardware, and hackers have taken full advantage of that [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/105582-Kinect-Hack-Roundup-Robots-Mario-Kart-and-Boobs].

This latest Kinect hack, though - using the device to create a sort of 3D radar attached to a quad-bladed helicopter - is vaguely frightening. Maybe it's the incessant hum, like a swarm of hungry insects. Maybe it's the unnatural bob and weave in midair.

Maybe it's just because it reminds me of a Manhack from Half-Life 2. I think that's probably it.

(1UP [http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/32336])

Permalink

 

[Wicky_42]

I love it! I want one! Soooo much potential! [sub](So much death >.>)[/sub]

Ah man, if we don't fuck ourselves over the future's going to be crazy awesome tech-wise!

 

[Jark212]

At least we know it's weakness, cardboard boxes...

But this is pretty awesome...

 

[Megacherv]

Wow

All the best things for the Kinect have all been done by bedroom programmers.

Now, as I've said before, mixing this with the Move will make a killer commbination, then we could have actual manhacks!

 

[Daemascus]

Hacking other people hardware to make you job easer. Science at its best.

 

[FrostyChick]

Well I for one welcome our new robotic masters. >.>
[sub][sub][sub][sub][sub]Please don't kill me Kinect-driven quadrocopter. T^T[/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub]

 

[AnAngryMoose]

I only have one word to describe this: bitchin'

 

[Alar]

As my friend just said, "WHAT HAS SCIENCE DONE?!"

 

[bladester1]

Maybe it's just because it reminds me of a Manhack from Half-Life 2. I think that's probably it.


Permalink

The manhack was the first thing that came to mind. Scary stuff man, scary stuff.

 

[Jkudo]

Pretty frickin' awesome. Best kinect hack i've seen so far. I may have misjudged kinect, but just imagine all the hacks that would have been possible if the camera wasn't downgraded.... .

 

[theriddlen]

Seems like Kinect will have much more use than just games. I bet that US military is already thinking about using it for its unmanned vehicles. More useful sensor, outputting tons of data in a understandable manner (as shown by amount of people using it) , for just 150$ (military cams used for things like that surely cost more).

 

[Simalacrum]

Now all we need to do is attach a gun to it and we have a Bioshock copter sentry!

 

[Krakyn]

If they could get a 360 degree sensor, that helicopter's mapping could be superior to anything else that consumers are able to get their hands on.

 

[kouriichi]

If i had one his name would be Carl. He would be Imperial Blue with golden trim.

Carl would patrol my house for intruders, bring my ice cold Dr. Peppers when i was thirsty, and a plate of fritos when i was hungry.

 

[llamastorm.games]

It's been a month and people have done this with kinect already, imagine what they might be doing in a year.

 

[Joshimodo]

If i had one his name would be Carl. He would be Imperial Blue with golden trim.

Carl would patrol my house for intruders, bring my ice cold Dr. Peppers when i was thirsty, and a plate of fritos when i was hungry.

Imagine a burglar suddenly faced with one of these floating after them, with a recorded soundbyte claiming that they are to blame for the now-imminent destruction of the human race by the cold, metal hands of machines.



I'm terrified now, because the military may eventually build Manhacks, and that is a world I don't want to live in.

I need to practice my crowbar skills.

 

[cjbos81]

Don't worry, if they do try to take over the world they'll all just rrod and burn themselves out.

 

[Mariuspontmerci]

Thought this had to do with a whole different type of helicopter. The kind referenced by Stepto in his Book of Enforement.