According to some internet reports, including an article on GameSpot, the Microsoft Kinect is having problems recognizing some people with darker skin tones. Gamespot tested the Kinect with three "dark-skinned" employees. Two of them had problems with the system's facial recognition, one of them did not. Gamestop tried a bunch of different calibrations, and were not able to get Kinect to recognize the pair. Leading to the obvious conclusion that Kinect is totally racist! (Kidding.)
Microsoft comment, saying, "Kinect works with people of all skin tones. And just like a camera, optimal lighting is best. Anyone experiencing issues with facial recognition should adjust their lighting settings, as instructed in the Kinect Tuner."
We tried out Kinect's facial recognition here with a variety of people and it different lighting conditions, and it worked very well, but I'm pretty sure everyone we tested it on was not dark-skinned. Has it been working for you?
In the coming days, we'll be conducting a number of experiments on Kinect's abilities, including testing the device's ability to recognize different faces. What I really want to know is: Can we create a Steve Johnson disguise good enough to trick Kinect? Would a Nav'i be able to be recognized?
If there are any real, or totally outrageous ways you think we should test the outer limits of Kinect's abilities, leave it in our comment section, and if it's at all possible, we'll test it for you... for science!!
Source: GameSpot
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alexml
Of course it' racist!
Mista2
I remember something similar to this with HP laptops doing face recognition. MS may have just bought the recognition software from HP. It could also completely ignore people of color 8)
whatever007
Another amazingly investigated piece of reporting by G4 to inspire internet hate and controversy. Honestly what next, the WII balance board wont calibrate properly inf you got a big dick.
LOL how the hell do you keep your job...
Poseidon67
It's cause I'm black isn't it!?!?!?!?!
Ordinaire
I'm still telling everyone who cares that the Kinect is racist. Makes for better conversation, sadly.
theantigzus
well no kinect in the white house til 2013, i love how this tells us how many black people work at microsoft 0
MrPickering
When CNN first posted this story, it had a similar headline. They updated shortly after to read ' Lighting affects Kinect's face recognition, report says'. Come on guys, until its proven theres no need report it from the skin color aspect. that seems a little bit TMZ
gtamaster503
I'm sorry but this is freaking hilarious.
RPG-fan
"but I'm pretty sure everyone we tested it on was not dark-skinned."
Is it because you couldn't find one in the G4 staff? I know there's no African-American on staff you put on the camera but surely you have some working in the background like a technician or producer. Not accusing G4 of anything, just curious why there wasn't one to test it.
xper0072
Can Kinect recognize you after you shave off your beard?
lukeylukey
@lucidity
Yea i noticed, looked at his activity and the last 30 posts, over 15 of them where to do with xbox/kinect.
Spends all day trying to hate on xbox saying ps3 is better.
Rather sad..yet funny.
Im getting Kinect, and im a real core game, not a Core gamer that just plays COD games.
I will play anything as long as its fun/interesting.
And for the moment i want Kinect for the party games for when i have people round. not expecting anything more from it at the moment. its only the first set of games, which they have only had about a year to work on plus its a new tech for most developers.
lucidity
@lukeylukey
Good find, but DPsx7 is a babbling idiot. He's likely to say "MS bribed CS" and then "prove me wrong", that's what he says to everything. It's pretty obvious your dealing with a juvenile or an adult with a severe social disorder.
Looks like Kinect is a runaway success. it's selling out at major chain stores all over.
http://www.eurogamer.net/art icles/2010-11-05-kinect-is-a-s ell-out
I see Consumer Reports has debunked the dark skin thing.
http://www.1up.com/news/repo rts-racist-kinect-debunked
koldkid18
Kinect is a hater LOL jp, good thing I dont really want a kinect till better games come out for it thats just me though!
LeftoverBanana
Jeez, Microsoft is so racist
JMason1984
In order to fix this, Microsoft should have a white guy play games for people kinect refuses to acknowledge. Better Off Ted ftw!
lukeylukey
http://www.vg247.com/2010/11/0 5/consumer-reports-debunks-dar k-skinned-kinect-issues-once-a nd-for-all/
Theres another link. Black, white, yellow, pink, green, purple or orange, doesnt matter, all games work fine.
Its a case of poor lighting to do with Kinect ID only.(where it auto signs you in)
You can play games in near pitch black conditions.
There you go DPsx7! or are you going to say there just xbox fanboys and are lying? look all over the internet, all saying same thing.
T_Rexx
Is this really news? This has been known tried tested and posted on websites for many months now. Nothing new here. Wait and see the effects of this new yet again faulty (overly priced) hardware by M$oft. The hype they put on this thing yet knowing how extremely limited it is. This just proves how much M$oft knows their gullible US market.
sarid
didnt know gamestop was doing testing on their products (story started as gamespot then changed to gamestop xD)
Solo53
Lol gaming has never really accommodated for any other race beside white so this doesn't surprise me i mean if a white kids face was in the dark the it wouldn't recognize him either its just a technical thing so i don't even really care me being African myself it registered me fine but i'm more light skin to be honest but this aint even a big deal but being called racist things over live that stuff is just annoying but this right here is just kind of funny expected but funny nonetheless but im still gettin my kinect tried one out and loved it
lukeylukey
@iGuy
Only with kinect ID, not with actually playing the games, if you shave, you have to redo the Kinect ID/ Tuner after the beard shaving.
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