I think Google was the first one to really dominate this approach (or bring to market) they started with super cheap hardware... (and I think they still use commodity hardware)...
- I think its equally cool that he can get his PHD from hacking together a gaming system into something usable
I think his thesis actually focuses on using infrared tracking to project light onto moving targets. I guess it's still hacking a gaming system but I think that project is actually quite a bit more complicated than the white board.
- I think its equally cool that he can get his PHD from hacking together a gaming system into something usable