Project Natal prototype spotted on a makeshift Gorillapod stand, sensing your every move
By Paul Miller 
posted February 4th 2010 12:11PM
posted February 4th 2010 12:11PM
posted February 4th 2010 12:11PM
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Holy crap, they need to ship it like that. That thing looks freaky on that tripod.
Oh, and I love the class 1 laser sticker on the front.
"Don't look at the Natal, kids, you'll go blind."
@crapple it does, looks alive!!!
@crapple
Just so everyone knows:
Class I lasers are low powered devices that are considered safe from all potential hazards. Some examples of Class I laser use are: laser printers, CD players, CD ROM devices, geological survey equipment and laboratory analytical equipment. No individual, regardless of exposure conditions to the eyes or skin, would be expected to be injured by a Class I laser. No safety requirements are needed to use Class I laser devices.
@gletob
I'm not worried about the laser, i'm worried that it might attack me....
@crapple If natal is going to suceed, microsoft is going to have to make a clear divide between Natal and the conventional 360. If games are going to have both types of controls, the more serious game developers are going to go elsewhere. On the other hand, It's surprising to see that some still don't have any idea what Project Natal really is. Let's just say this is the type of technology that will bring a whole new shift on the way we used our console devices before. Sounds too ambitious but way too hard to miss
Project Natal Will change the world? http://bit.ly/project-natal-will-change-our-world
That light shouldn't be red in my opinion.
Red on an xbox 360 conjures up too many bad memories.
well this would be RLOD the red laser of death.
@Rem DX Kinda makes me think of a HAL with legs.
@Rem DX
It's quite possibly invisible to the human eye - but digital cameras tend to show IR quite clearly (try pointing a digicam at the business end of a TV remote and press the buttons).
The HAL style red eye of death is a touch disconcerting :)
@Rem DX
here's my theory..Natal isnt just a new controller, it erases your memory of all things red ring, so you can either thank microsoft for getting rid of your nightmeres, or curse them for trying to control us with their freaky little War of the Worlds robot
@Malcolm
Yep, that's an IR LED for the time-of-flight IR camera, which is one of the two lenses on the right. The other is a normal camera.
This totally looks like something in the Matrix. Everyone run!
@NaJaKwa
Yeah, I half expect the Gorillapod's legs to start articulating by themselves. Fear the tripods!
Looks... uncleaned from the picture.. Shame Microsoft
@swimomatic
It's a developer prototype, so it's probably a filthy game development studio rather than the pristine Microsoft HQ :)
looks like an evil alien probe... or a natal on a gorillapod. I will go with number 1
Everyone stand back. It is a Class 1 LASER!
We will give it a "Laser" and call it "Mini Me".
We will then charge the world "1 Meeeellllion dollers"!!!!!!!
Holy crap that, they've giving it legs! Run for your lives! Seriously, that thing looks creepy on a tripod.
Just Surface without the projector, BFD. Don't worry though, if there is a way to screw this up, Ballmer and his crack team will find it.
No disassemble Johnny Five!
It looks dangerous, just like it's getting ready to pounce on its unsuspecting prey and paralyze it with its death ray.
Do not look at Project Natal with remaining eye
Well, as the other companies won't get it, its about time Microsoft got into Life Insurance, so that we can now file claims such as "Death by Natal" !
Does anyone know if Microsoft is planning on introducing Natal for PC, similarly to the way you can play PC games with a 360 controller...? I'm assuming it'll connect via USB so there should be a way.
And thanks Engadget for turning comments back on.
@Yankee
I would think so seeing that the Xbox uses USB?
I'm looking to get one FOR my living room PC.
@Yankee
Yes, they have announced that they are testing in on PC interfaces as well. If it is feasable we will likely see it.
@LAY
Is getting FROM your living room PC an option?
imagine walking past the livingroom at night and seeing its glowing red eye plotting your demise
ok, so this thing looks like it escaped from the movie set of 'Runaway'
now you little tikes will need to go to IMDB and look that one up and watch it.
Yep agreed looks kind of funny ... not upto the mark microsoft.
I doubt it ships like this. It doesn't resemble the xbox design and it's not discrete. However, it's good to see that they're moving forward with this.
Now, why does this remind me of terminator?...
@recarx I think it looks more a like a Cylon, studying our movements to make better skin jobs.
I can't decide whether that's cute or creepy.
@artemis360 i'll help you: it's creepy.
Natal doesn't impress me.
now get ben heck to mod a Natal into a Johnny 5 head and i'm sold.
Damn the comment system. I was going to say that Natal will be quite awesome when it comes out, I'll finally convince my GF to sell her wii.
I think Microsoft should do something similar to the base of the:
Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=014
Anyone else notice the "MS Environment" codename on that bar code sticker?.. interesting
@killplay
"microsoft equipment"
Well, the tripod does make sense; it is, after all, a Camera.
But it's the coolest Camera I've ever seen. Not becuase of the capabilities (which will be awesome and hopefully introduce some fun, innovative experiences). But because of it's striking resemblance to Wall-E.
Oh, and thanks for turning comments back on, Engadget. I think a break was good for all of us.
Can't wait to see the final product.
@Juice
Me too. Hopefully they won't charge too much for something that looks like the above. It is pretty freaky on that tripod.