Kinect Movement System

This is the initial design for the Kinect Movement System.

This system is a cradle device that houses the Microsoft Kinect and allows it to travel across the roof of the bathroom. The movement of the device allows it to be out of the users way, as well as always situated in a position that allows the user to be tracked, regardless of where they move. Movement is achieved by two wires, connected to diagonal corners of the room, and passing through the device. Motors situated in the walls allow the wires to be pushed and pulled, and the combination of both wires moves the device in an X and Y direction, allowing it to be positioned accurately in the room.



A motor connected to the centre of the device allows the cradle itself to spin in an uninterupted, 360 degree circle as it tracks the user.

It was decided that this system was too complex and would require a large amount of effort to enable it to work as planned. A cheaper, easier system was devised involving a simple two-axis powered hinge, which would be located in the corner of the room and rotate the Kinect sensor to track the user.

Unfortunately, this part never arrived once it had been ordered, so it remains a theoretical solution. The current solution, therefore, involves a stationary sensor positioned to cover the largest amount of the room. If the project where to be developed futher, then a movement system could be intergrated and allow for more flexible solutions to be developed depending on the bathroom being used.