Microsoft acquires 3D image sensing tech firm

Microsoft has acquired the products, technology, IP, customer contracts and other resources of Canesta, the California-based 3D sensing technology firm.

The technology being developed by Canesta includes 44 patents granted, with more on file, all of which are focused towards making ‘Natural User Interfaces’ and ‘electronic perception technology’, which the firm says will enable computers to “see”.

“This is very exciting news for the industry. There is little question that within the next decade we will see natural user interfaces become common for input across all devices,” said Jim Spare, CEO and president of Canesta.

“With Microsoft’s breadth of scope from enterprise to consumer products, market presence, and commitment to NUI, we are confident that our technology will see wide adoption across many applications that embody the full potential of the technology.”

No details of the agreement have been disclosed, and the acquisition is expected to be completed before the end of this year.