Kinect is the controller-free gaming and entertainment experience, which was previously only on Xbox 360, but Microsoft announced plans to release a non-commercial Kinect for Windows Software Development Kit, or SDK, this spring.

The commercial program will give businesses the tools to develop applications that not only could improve their own operations, but potentially revolutionize entire industries. To date, more than 200 businesses worldwide—including Toyota, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Razorfish— have joined a Kinect for Windows pilot program to begin exploring the possibilities of Kinect. While no one knows what the future holds, if the past year is any indication, it’s going to be inspiring.

The Kinect for Windows SDK is being developed and released by Microsoft Research (MSR) in collaboration with IEB.  It will be available this spring as a free download, and will give academic researchers and enthusiasts access to key pieces of the Kinect system—such as the audio technology, system application programming interfaces and direct control of the Kinect sensor itself.

The possibilities are endless.  Natural and intuitive technologies such as Kinect can be more than just a great platform for gaming and entertainment.  They open up enormous opportunities across a wide variety of scenarios, including addressing societal issues in areas such as healthcare and education.

Kinect for PC will be available for $249,99/195€ and will initially launch only in North America, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand and Spain.