Microsoft Kinect

A spatial computing sensor using IR emitters and wide-angle cameras to track 3D skeletal movement and depth in real time.

Microsoft Kinect revolutionized human-computer interaction by combining an RGB camera, depth sensor, and multi-array microphone into a single peripheral. Originally launched in 2010 for the Xbox 360 (selling 8 million units in its first 60 days), the hardware evolved from a gaming accessory into a critical tool for computer vision and robotics. It utilizes Time-of-Flight (ToF) technology to map environments and track up to six full skeletons simultaneously. While the consumer gaming line ended, the technology lives on through the Azure Kinect DK, providing high-fidelity spatial data for industrial automation, healthcare diagnostics, and interactive retail installations.

https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/kinect