Forgotten Xbox Kinect Finds New Life as Walmart‘s Unexpected Security Camera
While Microsoft has shifted its focus away from Kinect and toward making Xbox accessible to a broader audience, the motion-sensing device has found a surprising new role: security camera.
Walmart has reportedly integrated the Kinect 2.0 in some of its retail locations, possibly leveraging its depth-sensing capabilities for loss prevention and monitoring.
This unexpected revival of the Kinect highlights the versatile technology that didn’t quite catch on in the gaming world.
The news comes from online forums, with Xbox enthusiasts uncovering documentation and reports suggesting this unconventional utilization.
This shift emphasizes the adaptability of Kinect’s technology, showing that even though not a gaming essential like some initially anticipated, the device has applications spanning beyond its original purpose.
While it’s unclear how widespread this practice is within Walmart, it’s clear the Xbox Kinect has found new life bridging the gap between gaming innovation and practical utility. It remains to be seen if Microsoft will embrace this second life for its once-flagship peripheral.
“It’s a shame that it often gets a bad rap,” commented one user on social media. “Seriously now store security, wow” another person chimed in.
“It is a spectacular tool, and many companies have already found new ways to utilize it outside gaming,” wrote another commenter on the thread in reference to Walmart utilizing the technology.
While Kinect was envisioned as a revolutionary tool for immersive gaming, Walmart’s unexpected use suggests a different kind of immersiveness: keeping a watchful eye on its retail spaces.
Though details are scarce, these new uses underline how technology often finds its own path. It appears “Kinect
What are the benefits of using a repurposed Kinect as a security solution for Walmart?
## Forgotten Xbox Kinect Finds New Life as Walmart’s Unexpected Security Camera
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**Host:** Welcome back to TechTalk! Today we’re discussing a fascinating story about a once-innovative gaming device finding a rather unexpected new purpose. Joining us to discuss this is tech journalist Sarah Jones. Welcome, Sarah!
**Sarah Jones:** Thanks for having me!
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. We’re talking about the Xbox Kinect, remember it? The motion-controlled gaming accessory. Well, it seems its days of virtual tennis and dancing are behind it.
**Sarah Jones:** That’s right. As [ [[1](https://www.levelup.com/noticias/812407/Fue-uno-de-los-mayores-fracasos-de-Xbox-pero-los-supermercados-le-dieron-un-nuevo-uso-asi-de-util-es-el-Kinect-en-Walmart) ]] mentions, the Kinect was considered a major flop for Microsoft. While it promised revolutionary gameplay, it just didn’t catch on with gamers.
**Host:** So, what’s its new gig?
**Sarah Jones:** Believe it or not, Walmart is repurposing the Kinect as a security camera!
**Host:** A security camera? That’s quite a leap from dance games! How does that even work?
**Sarah Jones:** The Kinect already has the ability to “see” and track movement, which is perfect for identifying suspicious activity. It can detect objects, people, even their gestures.
**Host:** That’s pretty incredible. And it’s cheaper than installing a whole new security system, I imagine?
**Sarah Jones:** Exactly. It’s a cost-effective solution for Walmart, and they’re already seeing positive results in terms of security and loss prevention.
**Host:** Amazing! It just goes to show you, sometimes a “failed” product can find a surprising second life. Sarah, thanks so much for sharing this with us.
**Sarah Jones:** My pleasure!
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