Suitability of the Kinect Sensor and Leap Motion Controller-A Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Robotics

Background:

• The increasing demand for sensors in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) necessitates evaluating cost-effective alternatives.
• Existing high-cost sensors present a barrier to widespread adoption in various industries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the suitability of two Kinect devices and the Leap Motion Controller as potential replacements for expensive industrial sensors.
• To compare these devices based on their state-of-the-art technology, accuracy, precision, gesture recognition capabilities, and cost.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of Kinect (v1 and v2) and Leap Motion Controller.
• Evaluation of device accuracy, precision, measurement ranges, and error distributions.
• Review of existing gesture recognition algorithms applicable to these devices.

Main Results:

• The Kinect devices and Leap Motion Controller show potential for substituting more expensive sensors in specific applications.
• Significant variations were observed in measurement ranges, depth precision, and error distributions across the evaluated devices.
• Differences were noted even between the two Kinect models, impacting their suitability for different tasks.

Conclusions:

• These lower-cost sensors offer a viable alternative to expensive options for VR, AR, and MR applications.
• Careful consideration of device-specific limitations, such as accuracy and precision variations, is crucial for successful implementation.
• Further research into optimizing gesture recognition algorithms for these platforms is recommended.