Microsoft confirms acquisition of 3DV

by Ben Gilbert { Jun 24th 2009 at 2:01PM }

Speaking during an annual conference at Microsoft's Israeli research and development center, the head of Israel R&D and corporate VP Moshe Lichtman openly confirmed the acquisition of 3DV's motion technology -- the same motion technology speculated as being used in the company's ambitious Project Natal. "The R&D center helped Microsoft in buying the intellectual property of 3DV Systems, and in the wake of that, dozens of the company's employees were recruited to work at the development center," Globes reports Lichtman said.

Though we still don't know the amount Microsoft spent acquiring 3DV, considering the amount of marketing muscle "the big M" is putting behind Project Natal, we're guessing it wasn't exactly a pittance. Now, to arrange for a few sneaky Joystiq operatives in Israel to find out exactly what's happening inside the company's clandestine research and development offices.

Gallery: Project Natal

[Via Edge Online]

Tags: 3dv, acquisition, edge-online, globes, israel, marketing, microsoft, moshe-lichtman, project-natal

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Storm Eagle @ Jun 24th 2009 2:11PM

Jeff Goldblum?!

Bravo6 @ Jun 24th 2009 3:22PM

I thought it was the android from Alien!

AvA (ice~) @ Jun 24th 2009 2:12PM

"Now, to arrange for a few sneaky Joystiq operatives in Israel to find out exactly what's happening inside the company's clandestine research and development offices."

I reallllly don't think going to the middle east would be a great idea right now

Old Professor Zertoss @ Jun 24th 2009 2:25PM

But they have RPGs! We like RPGs, right?

AvA (ice~) @ Jun 24th 2009 2:30PM

sir, you are very, very confused. lol :]

Badboy1979 @ Jun 24th 2009 2:14PM

For all interested, here's a video of 3DV demo'ing their tech:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkleQLjASyU

... I noticed that it can eve ntrack the direction of your fingers.

Storm Eagle @ Jun 24th 2009 2:16PM

You had me at "Minority Report".

AvA (ice~) @ Jun 24th 2009 2:30PM

you had me at minority

fffunfarm06 @ Jun 24th 2009 2:45PM

3dv is sick. with the voice recognition you will never have to type a message out again on live. the xbox is going to take over your house. does anyone see privacy issues with this? if the feds want to see what your doing in your house they can. its scary, and amazing.

the future is here. im glad to be apart of it.

Alex @ Jun 24th 2009 3:44PM

Funfarm,
What are you doing that has you so scared of the 'feds'? Hmm?
You could always not buy the camera... or put a hat over it's eyes.

JC @ Jun 24th 2009 2:29PM

Are you sure the 3DV tech was used in Natal? Engadget reported that it was developed entirely in house and specifically didn't use any 3DV stuff.

fffunfarm06 @ Jun 24th 2009 2:36PM

naw. microsoft wanted to sound like they did it all by themselves. if any company should get 3dv to showcase their tech and apply it for consumer use, it would be microsoft. they own 95 percent of all computers.

Knight Marquise @ Jun 24th 2009 2:36PM

I read the same thing, so am also a bit confused how everyone is stating this is the tech behind Natal.

Dirty @ Jun 24th 2009 2:53PM

Could be that the bought them out just to avoid a lawsuit later. Also to gobble up the talent.

deanb @ Jun 24th 2009 3:11PM

Yeah, MS developed their own tech for Natal, the 3DV acquisition will have been for their patents and liscencing, salves Natal been halted later on due to lawsuits.
"Embrace, Extend Extinguish"

ashaikh148 @ Jun 24th 2009 3:20PM

Personally im not sure whether i believe microsoft developed all the natal tech in house while 3dv happened to be working on the same thing, but the official statement is that they were making sure they kept a lock on the tech/concept by acquiring 3dv since their stuff is, theoretically, the same thing as what microsoft's stuff.

Assuming we believe that microsoft was working on this on their own. Im not saying im convinced either way, im just uncertain as to whether they would be saying anything different if the story really was the other way around.

Jason @ Jun 24th 2009 3:32PM

Well I wouldn't underestimate Microsoft's Research divisions (Which funnily enough go under the name of Microsoft Research). They're full of talent and come up with some pretty awesome stuff quite a lot of the time, I wouldn't out it past them to have made this.

Or maybe say 3DV made the hardware and Microsoft are creating new detection algorithms or vica-versa? After all 3DV had a finished product, it it were just their technology we wouldn't be waiting until late next year for it.

goldeneyesoldier ( noble prophet of rant and ownage ) @ Jun 24th 2009 3:50PM

The sad thing about this is its a gaming blog for crying out loud and i KNEW some idiot would say something like that...

Leobebes (BDF: Braid Defence Force) @ Jun 24th 2009 4:00PM

1930 called Marc it wants its "youth" back.

Bradford @ Jun 24th 2009 4:08PM

What a dumbass.

Duke @ Jun 24th 2009 4:32PM

Look at that post history - wow.

rawkersparadise @ Jun 24th 2009 5:02PM

Marc,

nice one, I love how in your previous posts you spew hate speach at jews than say your not an antisemite and qualify it by using the old line of, some of my friends are jews and I have dated jews before.

now this post. wow, honestly I feel bad for you, Believing in the stuff that you do, its obvious you really are of low intelligence. I can't imagine what it would be like to constantly walk around with that type of hate in my heart.

Price & Fury @ Jun 24th 2009 5:37PM

Good work, Israel!
Keep it up!

Phinehas @ Jun 24th 2009 5:44PM

It's always a chore to figure out whether to ignore idiots like you or to address your idiocy. You don't deserve a response, but then again, no one deserves the sort of unfounded hate you are spewing either.

On the one hand, it is tempting to hope that you remain in whatever cave you are living in 'til you rot, but even foaming-at-the-mouth idiots deserve a chance to have their blinders removed. I invite you to step out of your ignorance and into the light. Move beyond whatever festering, inbred circle of hate literature or speech you've so obviously consigned yourself to and get a real education. Allow your beliefs to be challenged and see if they hold up. Trust me. They won't.

Phinehas @ Jun 24th 2009 5:45PM

Just in case it wasn't obvious, that last was directed at Marc.

b1gsl1ck @ Jun 24th 2009 7:04PM

I am going there this month Joystiq! (and moving there in September if you need someone there permanently!) I will get you the lowdown.... (and please ban Marc from commenting, no one needs to deal with that hate.)

DougOtoni @ Jun 24th 2009 7:12PM

By the way, looks good as an interface but gimmicky for games.
Now XBOX will receive WII port games. lol

EagleX @ Jun 25th 2009 2:03PM

And we still dont get the xbox/xbox 360 in Israel. Not officially anyway.
Fucking Amazing.
We are not a 3rd world country, You know.

DougOtoni @ Jul 5th 2009 11:10PM

Even 3rd world countries has xbox/xbox 360 officially.

Bobs @ Jun 24th 2009 7:59PM

lol that sucks. So you guys have to import them right? I'm guessing you guys are using the PAL system since North America is the only stupid continent in the world who uses FUCKING NTSC BULLSHIT.

LordToastington @ Jun 24th 2009 7:45PM

Ban this fucker.

ArchiGamer @ Jun 24th 2009 8:04PM

WHO said closed-minded fucks are ANYTHING like UGLY RATS?

HERE'S MY PROOF!!! Look at that comment! = CLOSED-MINDED FUCK!

BIacked Out @ Jun 24th 2009 8:42PM

www.3dvsystems.com/

If you look under the "Gallery" section of this website you'll see the technology at work. The possiblities are endless. The hardware is capable of reading the slightest hand signals, and stationary objects. Natal looks set to be the top dog amongst motion controllers.