If you're a big fan of Kinect related robotics hacks, I'm sure you're gonna dig this one! The entire system was built using Processing and the SimpleOpenNI library in tandem with Arduino and which communicates with multiple servos controlling a robotic arm.

Here's a cool little hack that Mert Akbal whipped together using the free for use gaming engine Unity along with the Unity Kinect wrapper.

It looks like some Kinect hacking may very well see itself embedded into the transit systems. I always envisioned people using natural gestures to bring up bus schedules or to even read the news as they wait for a subway or that next bus. Thanks to the open source initiative lead by the Philadelphia transit authority, we may very well start to see this sort of implementation crop up all over if the field testing shows promise.

Here's a cool and interesting visual project that would be great for any type of live performance. Built in Processing, the Kinect captured image is projected onto a TransScreen. The end result is a digital shadow of sorts that can be overlaid onto people in real-time. The program can control the different visual display modes creating a wide array of possibilities. Check out the video to see this creative hack in action.

If there was a Kinect in every set top box in all the living rooms around the world, we'd never need to search for that damn remote again! You know, that germ infested coffee table accessory that you fumble with in the dark when trying to change a channel or control the volume. That's what The Daily is reporting from a bunch of sources familiar with the subject.

This is one of the coolest interactive displays out there.  Using some low level coding and programming, the developers where able to sync up the Kinect's tracking data with a series of light bulbs that illuminate whenever a user is present.  The user can then move around freely and see what their silhouette looks like on the lit-up board in real time.

Check out the video for more!

via: Develop Kinect

The good folks at ZigFu have created a great way for people to set up the things they need in order to start using their Kinect right away.  The package will install OpenNI, NITE and Sensor Kinect with just the click of a button.

This will definitely come in handy if you're new to the game of have to configure multiple workstations in a short amount of time.  They developed a Unity package as well for gaming and their own Portal you can use on your Desktop.  

Some good folks were kind enough to upload a teaser video of their upcoming Virtual Gallery using the kinect.  The premise is pretty straight forward and seems to be well on its way.  Once a user is tracked, they can then use both hands to navigate around a series of images in order to get a better view of them.

I swear, just the other day someone left a comment referring the Holodeck made popular by Star Trek TNG.  Next thing you know, bam!  People working with MicrosoftResearch got a frigging YouTube video showing of their very own mini Holodeck, aptly named HoloDesk.  This is another one of those videos you have to see for yourself.