Similar to the Xbox One Kinect sensor, Sony has confirmed that the PS Camera will give PlayStation 4 owners both “navigational voice commands” and “facial recognition” functionality.
Word of the PlayStation 4’s Kinect-like features first came from YouTube user lex1020’s recording (embedded below) of a Sony presentation at the recent GameStop Expo 2013 in Las Vegas. Around the 5:30 mark SCEA presenter Sean Coleman showed a slide that mentions the PS Camera’s “navigational voice commands,” while stating the following:
“When you add the PlayStation camera into the mix, the pair [DualShock 4 light bar and PS Camera] works together to expand upon system features and enhance your PlayStation 4 experience. The new stereoscopic lenses track your body movements in games or even recognize your face easier system navigation.”
A Sony Computer Entertainment spokesperson later confirmed to Polygon that the PlayStation Camera will allow for “voice recognition,” and promised that the company will share more details leading up to the PlayStation 4 launch on November 15th in North America and November 29th across Europe.
For those interested in voice commands, body tracking, and facial recognition, this news seemingly puts the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on more even footing. Speaking for myself, this all makes very little difference. Even if these devices work exactly as advertised, I would rather just do it the old fashioned way and push a button on a controller.