Microsoft’s proof-of-concept “IllumiRoom” system has the potential to drastically alter the way that consumers play games and watch movies in their homes. The immersive technology, first showcased at CES in January, uses a combination of cameras and projectors to expand a television’s content into a user’s living room. The company has just released a new detailed demonstration video that hints at Redmond’s plans for the next Xbox, set to be unveiled on May 21.
While still early in its development, IllumiRoom uses a camera (in the case of the current prototype unit, a Kinect sensor) and a wide-angle projector to measure a user’s room. The system then takes content from video games and movies and “extends” it beyond the edges of the television screen in one of several different ways.
Users can choose to have the system project a true extension of the game’s world, creating a “my TV got bigger” sensation, or they can configure it to display only lights and motion for a more subtle immersion effect. In one scenario outlined in the video, below, the system projects snow falling in the room as the user plays a racing game during a blizzard. As the user moves the onscreen vehicle, the projected snow in the room responds to the motion as if the player (and the room) were moving with the game world.
Microsoft explains that the impressive effects seen in the demonstration video require that games be specifically modified to support the system. In the absence of dedicated IllumiRoom support, however, the system can still intelligently display color, lighting, and motion changes.
It has been speculated that IllumiRoom or a similar technology will find its way into the next Xbox at launch, although the current state of the technology makes it unlikely that any such feature will be available for the console at the start. Considering the expected lifespan of the next Xbox, however, it is possible that IllumiRoom could make its debut as an optional add-on later in the console’s career.
Some answers will hopefully come next month during the as-yet-unnamed Xbox’s unveiling. Until then, be sure to check out Microsoft’s IllumiRoom demonstration video. While we doubt that real-world configurations will look this good, it’s still amazing technology.
