Xbox Kinect. Look Ma, No Hands!!!

Previously known as Project Natal, Microsoft has unveiled its new Xbox 360 motion controller called Kinect, and look ma, no hands! Kinect is a completely hands-free games console with voice commands.

With Microsoft's launch of Kinect, a number of new games were showcased including a track and field tournament, a driving simulation in which passengers rock their bodies to toss the car into cartwheels, and a Star Wars game with enhanced control of a Jedi Knight.

Other games which were demonstrated by members of Cirque du Soleil were a fully-interactive instructional dance video, a virtual pet simulation featuring four furry felines including tiger and lion cubs that players can stroke and train, and a yoga-tai chi exercise game.

The system, which relies almost entirely on body motions and gestures, takes the form of a webcam-style device that looks a bit like a Nintendo Wii sensor bar.

Unlike the Wii though, Kinect can sense body movement and translate it into onscreen actions.

There are more than 40 million Xbox 360s in homes and 23 million paying subscribers for Xbox Live, according to Microsoft and, in a best-case scenario, Kinect could extend the lifespan of the machine another four or five years, potentially boosting sales for Microsoft.