Reports from Microsoft indicate that the Xbox One’s built in Kinect sensor can serve as a biometric sensor, with a camera so finely attuned that it can pick up on things such as respiratory rates and heartbeat in humans. If this is true, it could very well revolutionize the way we game.

Biometrics have recently become a huge interest in the gaming industry – a controller or system that can somehow gauge player interest and adapt game play accordingly is no laughing matter. Sony initially tried to incorporate such a system into their Dualshock 4 controller, but ultimately discarded the idea.

Gaming heartthrob Gabe Newell of Valve has hinted that the controllers for the upcoming Steam Box console will utilize biometric data for a smoother, more complete gaming experience.

However, Microsoft doesn’t need biometrics in their controllers, and say doing so would only drain battery life. Xbox Accessories GM, Zulfi Alam had this to say”

“We already have the ability to know what your emotion and heart-rate is, and that’s through the Kinect camera. Adding biometric sensors would drain battery life, and we’ve already got it via Kinect, so why do it?”

Earlier this year, Microsoft released a statement briefly detailing the power of the Kinect camera:

“The completely redesigned, revolutionary 1080p Kinect is more precise, more responsive and more intuitive. It dramatically expands its field of view and fidelity. It works in nearly any lighting condition, recognizes precise motion control from a slight wrist rotation, and distinguishes your voice even in a noisy room using advanced noise isolation.”

As of now there is no comment on how biometrics will be incorporated into the games themselves, only confirmation that the tech is there. This is an exciting and perpetually revolutionary time for the gaming industry; we are all excited to see what comes of it.

Via: CVG

Mark revealed that they have been using biometric data like eye movements in order to control the character in Portal. They are also playing with sweat detection to determine the calmness factor which will directly effect the time taken to complete a mission in Left 4 Dead.

“One thing we are very interested in is the notion of biofeedback and how it can be applied to game design,” Mark said.

“There is potential on both sides of the equation, both for using physiological signals to quantify an emotional state while people are playing the game.

“The more interesting side of the equation is what you can do when you incorporate physiological signals into the gameplay itself.”

The expo was attended by VentureBeat. You can check the video from the expo below:

Source: VentureBeat via Polygon.