New Scientist: When Microsoft revealed the Kinect gaming device, which uses a depth sensor created by PrimeSense, many people began developing novel uses for the device. Now PrimeSense is sharing some of the ways other companies are using its sensor. One company is monitoring shopper behavior in front of store shelves, and can create heat maps of places people pause or pick up items. Another company is using the sensor to turn standard television and computer screens into “touch sensitive” screens by detecting hand gestures in front of the screen. The sensor is also being used for quick, 360° three-dimensional room mapping or for creating virtual changing rooms, letting people digitally try on clothing on a 3D model of themselves.
The finding that the Saturnian moon may host layers of icy slush instead of a global ocean could change how planetary scientists think about other icy moons as well.
Modeling the shapes of tree branches, neurons, and blood vessels is a thorny problem, but researchers have just discovered that much of the math has already been done.
January 29, 2026 12:52 PM
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