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South Koreans Using Kinect To Monitor DMZ

Nerval's Lobster writes "The South Korean government is reportedly using Microsoft's Kinect motion-based game controller to monitor the heavily guarded DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) that separates the country from North Korea. The brainchild of freelance South Korean developer Jae Kwan Ko, the system is reportedly capable of differentiating between people and animals. (Hat tip to Kotaku, which originally ferreted out the story from South Korean publication Hankooki .) That makes it superior to the infrared systems already in use along the DMZ, which have a harder time determining whether a moving object is human. The Kinect-based system can send alerts of suspicious activity to the nearest military outpost. While the South Korean government reportedly installed the hardware at select portions of the DMZ last year, news about it is only emerging now—and details are relatively scarce, considering how this is a military project. Despite that secrecy, the South Korean government is playing up Jae Kwan Ko's contributions, highlighting him in the local media as an example of innovation and creative drive. Largely self-taught, he makes money by building apps for various mobile platforms—most of which, presumably, have nothing to do with detecting military threats."

133 comments

  1. Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's sad that we live in a world where this is even necessary.

    1. Re:Sad times by i+kan+reed · · Score: 2

      It wasn't "necessary" for the past 50 years, it just makes the terrible cold war the Koreas are in a little easier by means of technology.

    2. Re: Sad times by iamhassi · · Score: 0

      And why isn't the US using this on our southern border?

      --
      my karma will be here long after I'm gone
    3. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Why would we want to stop the influx of Undocumented Democrats?

    4. Re: Sad times by i+kan+reed · · Score: 1

      I suspect the simple answer is that we have a constitution that forbids it(not that that stopped the NSA, but losing one battle doesn't mean we should surrender on the other)

    5. Re: Sad times by Githaron · · Score: 1

      We do? Which part?

    6. Re:Sad times by superwiz · · Score: 1

      Did we ever not? Or are you just generally sad?

      --
      Any guest worker system is indistinguishable from indentured servitude.
    7. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      You must not have heard that borders and areas within 100 miles are "constitution free zones". I find it extremely convenient that these areas happen to correspond with 80% of the national population.

    8. Re: Sad times by superwiz · · Score: 1

      Forbids what? Protecting the national border? Or forbids the federal government from having an immigration policy? Just generally.. wha?

      --
      Any guest worker system is indistinguishable from indentured servitude.
    9. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The constitution is a piece of toilet paper.

    10. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or in reality it's just a ad for microsofts "new" kinect. "Use the same technology that is used to stop evil North Koreans that kill their uncles, urinate on them, feed them to dogs, kill and burn the dogs, feed the ashes to cows that they boil alive then render it down to dust that they stomp in to the floor of a whore house. That's how evil they are!!!!........... And now you can play game with the same tech that stops them from taking over the world!!!"

    11. Re: Sad times by i+kan+reed · · Score: 2

      Forbids government monitoring of every person in the area without warrant.

    12. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why can't the US government monitor violent insurgents? Really?

    13. Re: Sad times by datapharmer · · Score: 1

      Play "patrol the boarder" on Xbox Live for just $19.95 per month! See how many illegal border crossings you can catch!

      --
      Get a web developer
    14. Re: Sad times by Qzukk · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The easy answer:
      1) the liberals hope they'll vote for them because they tend to be poor.
      2) the Republicans hope they'll vote for them because they tend to be Catholic and anti-abortion.

      The real answer:
      X) the corporations hope they'll work for them at sub-market wages because they're entitled to cheap labor.

      It's telling that back when Bush Jr was governor here, he'd talk a big talk about cracking down on immigrants, then he'd be called into a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, and he'd tone it down after that. He got to be president and his puppet masters had to make him come down against the Minutemen militia, despite the fact that no matter what your opinion of the second amendment is, just about every interpretation of it supports a regulated militia for the defense of our borders from invasion.

      --
      If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
    15. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      By violent insurgents, do you mean everyone who didn't vote for Obama?

    16. Re:Sad times by ackthpt · · Score: 1

      It wasn't "necessary" for the past 50 years, it just makes the terrible cold war the Koreas are in a little easier by means of technology.

      How about those massive tunnels under the DMZ? The North continues to labor under the belief they will one day liberate the people of the south from evil, vampyric capitalists.

      --

      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    17. Re: Sad times by ackthpt · · Score: 1

      Play "patrol the boarder" on Xbox Live for just $19.95 per month! See how many illegal border crossings you can catch!

      I think they were spending more than that on beer alone.

      --

      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    18. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why should morons leave? It's the smart folk who suck.

    19. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Those people typically are violent and are the type that typically owns guns.

    20. Re: Sad times by EdIII · · Score: 1

      What about monitoring the border like that violates the Constitution?

      I'm very adamant about the 4th and privacy, but monitoring the stretch of the border with at most 100ft resolution does not seem to create mass violations of privacy.

      We should be protecting our border.

      Aside from this particular piece of tech, there are the Constitution Free Zones. That is a much bigger problem than some Kinect's looking for human shapes along side the border. I would choose the Kinect's at the border or over the Totalitarianism Zones in the US.

      At least the border is small and doesn't directly affect over 70% of the population of the US.

    21. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      You must not have seen the Obama voters in Chicago rioting to celebrate Obama's victory.

    22. Re: Sad times by i+kan+reed · · Score: 1

      Who, exactly, is an insurgent?

      I mean, I'd place my argument, but it honestly sounds like you posted this just to be an easily destroyed straw-man, and I don't want to contribute to trolling.

    23. Re: Sad times by ScottCooperDotNet · · Score: 1

      Maybe because the Mexicans haven't sent commandos to assassinate our President or have an uneasy truce with the US?

      Or because the Democrats view Mexicans as future voters, and the Republicans look at them as cheap labor?

    24. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are making the very common mistake, especially on slashdot, of confusing your opinions on what should be in the Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments), and not what actually is in the Bill of Rights, with the entirety of "the Consitution". Your opinion of what is in the Constitution is at odds with what it actually says.

      Article I, Section 8 specifically grants powers to Congress including "regulating commerce with foreign nations" and "providing for the common defense and general Welfare of the United States". Border monitoring is entirely within those rights.

      You're assuming that the Fourth Amendment trumps the power of Congress to monitor borders; this is usually the basis of an argument that you are making. It does not. The 4th Amendment protects the rights of citizens to not have their things searched or siezed without a judicially sanctioned warrant based upon probable cause; having motion sensor controlled cameras on the border is highly questionable if it runs afoul of the 4th Amendment.

    25. Re: Sad times by i+kan+reed · · Score: 1

      Well, I'm not assuming that so much as I am asserting that it could be construed to be a violation of privacy depending on deployment(while leaving that crucial context out of my original post like an ass).

    26. Re: Sad times by LordLimecat · · Score: 1

      The constitution forbits government intrusion into personal effects without a warrant, not public information / video.

      When youre in public, you're fair game-- get over it.

    27. Re: Sad times by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      And why isn't the US using this on our southern border?

      Because Predator Drones, that's why.

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    28. Re: Sad times by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      The constitution forbits government intrusion into personal effects without a warrant, not public information / video.

      When youre in public, you're fair game-- get over it.

      You realize that's bullshit, right?

      "Personal Effects" == "the shit you have in your pockets, right now."

      This ain't NYC, they can't make you bunny-ear your pockets just because you're walking down a sidewalk.

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    29. Re: Sad times by Lumpy · · Score: 0

      Because we actually want them here. Outcry about "illegals" is only for handwaving and posturing, republicans don't want to pay $20 an hour for their gardening and lawn mowing so they actually do not want to stop the flow of undocumented immigrants they can under pay.

      Can you imagine, a rich republican being forced to pay someone a living wage to clean their house or mow their lawn? Outrageous!

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    30. Re: Sad times by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Homeland Security can beat the shit out of you and violate you in any way they want within 100 miles of the border without any recourse on your part. You have no say and you cant do a damn thing.

      All to protect "Merica" from the boogymen.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    31. Re: Sad times by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      You are an insurgent if you are not a member of homeland security or the united states military.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    32. Re: Sad times by Dahamma · · Score: 0

      No, the real answer is that they are undocumented NON-citizens, so they can't vote.

      And before anyone says "why would that stop them?" Many studies have shown that there is near zero voter fraud from non-citizens trying to vote. The attempts to require an approved government id to vote are not meant to stop voter fraud, they are meant to intimidate minorities into not voting.

    33. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And - as Edward Snowden proved - even if you are ;-)

    34. Re: Sad times by mythosaz · · Score: 4, Informative

      Forbids government monitoring of every person in the area without warrant.

      First, the idea that a camera pointed at a border is somehow forbidden -- wouldn't want to monitor every person in an area without a warrant, now would we -- is silly. Someone call DOT and have them take down the freeway cams.

      That said, we already employ vibration, and magnetic remote sensors, as well as cameras in both visible and infrared, plus software that helps determine if an event is human, animal or other in watching our borders (Canada and Mexico). It seems like a Kinect-based system would do even better. It'd stop CBP officers from responding to wolves tripping sensors.

      http://www.policechiefmagazine...

    35. Re: Sad times by amicusNYCL · · Score: 1

      Forbids government monitoring of every person in the area without warrant.

      I don't think there is any such restriction on general monitoring. Police cars have license plate scanners, for instance, and government buildings have surveillance cameras. They are monitoring every person in the area without a warrant. Scanners like these wouldn't even identify people, they would just indicate that there is a person there. I don't think there's anything illegal about that.

      --
      "Our two-party system is like a bowl of shit looking at itself in a mirror." - Lewis Black
    36. Re: Sad times by dryeo · · Score: 1

      The 4th Amendment protects the rights of citizens to not have their things searched or siezed without a judicially sanctioned warrant based upon probable cause

      And here I thought it protected people. Lets see,

      The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

      Yep, no mention of citizens, just people. Of course too many Americans seem to consider people to only consist of American citizens.

      --
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_totalitarianism
    37. Re: Sad times by superwiz · · Score: 1

      Are you nuts? Not ANY area. Of course, the government can monitor the border. It is charged with protecting the border. Anything else wouldn't be just wrong. It's would be insane. Just plain and simple lunacy.

      --
      Any guest worker system is indistinguishable from indentured servitude.
    38. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or a bunch of hypocritical Democrats pointing fingers at Republicans while they get their undocumented maids to do the laundry? When I lived in California, the Liberal Holy Land, all the lib millionaires I knew had their mexican maids hard at work...

    39. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Will You be happier with a closed border with Mexico, when hamburger goes up to 35 dollars a pound because there is no cheap labor to work in the slaughter houses?

    40. Re: Sad times by mysidia · · Score: 1

      You must not have heard that borders and areas within 100 miles are "constitution free zones".

      There is no such thing as a "constitution free zone". The constitution is the ultimate law of the land. Congress is incapable of lawfully making any exemptions to it.

      It applies anywhere that the US congress, president, or other state or federal government personnel or officials exert any authority.

    41. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    42. Re: Sad times by LordLimecat · · Score: 1

      Stuff in your pockets isnt "public", and I wasnt saying otherwise.

    43. Re: Sad times by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      Stuff in your pockets isnt "public", and I wasnt saying otherwise.

      Then you probably should have used a different phrasing than, "When youre in public, you're fair game."

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    44. Re: Sad times by volmtech · · Score: 1

      "The" people (citizens) are protected. The second amendment states that the right to bear arms shall not be infringed. So if an undocumented person walked across the border with an AK 47 strapped to his back you would be OK with that? It is reasonable to search and detain criminals. Just because you made it one foot across the border you don't gain all the rights of a citizen.

    45. Re: Sad times by dryeo · · Score: 1

      While obviously someone illegally entering the country is breaking a law and subject to arrest and once officially arrested (here you have to be touched and informed that you are under arrest) can be searched, that is not what I'm talking about. What about if I legally cross the border for vacation reasons, once legally in the country (past the border) I can be legally searched since I'm not a citizen? How about people with a green card? Or my wife who theoretically can cross the border anywhere, carrying a backpack full of stuff and carrying a rifle and get most of the benefits of being a USA citizen including working etc due to treaties that America signed in the latter 18th century and reaffirmed in a treaty in 1814 or so? According to the American Constitution, treaties are the second highest law in the land, trumping everything except the Constitution.
      My countries Constitution specifically says that all people in the country get all rights excepting some mobility rights and voting. (yes voting is a right here)

      --
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_totalitarianism
    46. Re: Sad times by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And why isn't the US using this on our southern border?

      Not. Invented. Here.

  2. Sooo... by ZipXap · · Score: 1

    Dress in your bear costume and slip across undetected...

    1. Re:Sooo... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Aha! A Nouth Korean agent! Someone call Hans Brix!

    2. Re:Sooo... by amicusNYCL · · Score: 2

      Damnit, you beat me to it. This system will be no match for the infamous Seventh Furry Battalion.

      --
      "Our two-party system is like a bowl of shit looking at itself in a mirror." - Lewis Black
  3. In other news North Korea attempted a raid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Witness describe a hoard of armed men running through the DMZ yelling "Xbox OFF!"

    1. Re:In other news North Korea attempted a raid by cold+fjord · · Score: 1

      The secret battle cry of the North that signifies they are coming to liberate their brothers in the South: Ree Loy Jenken!!!

      --
      much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
    2. Re:In other news North Korea attempted a raid by Minwee · · Score: 1

      Ree Loy Jenken!!!

      Chicken have at least I.

    3. Re:In other news North Korea attempted a raid by mythosaz · · Score: 1

      Witness describe a hoard of armed men running through the DMZ yelling "Xbox TURN OFF!"

      FTFY.

    4. Re:In other news North Korea attempted a raid by OakDragon · · Score: 1

      Sadly, most North Koreans could never claim that at least they had chicken.

    5. Re:In other news North Korea attempted a raid by Ranbot · · Score: 1

      This just in... there was a follow-up raid of South Korean troops dressed up as animals to evade Kinect detection!

    6. Re:In other news North Korea attempted a raid by Samantha+Wright · · Score: 1

      Nope and nope. "I chicken at least have."

      --
      Bio questions? Ask me to start a Q&A journal. Computer analogies available for most topics!
    7. Re:In other news North Korea attempted a raid by jratcliffe · · Score: 1

      Witness describe a hoard of armed men running through the DMZ yelling "Xbox OFF!"

      Silly concept. There's no way the hoard of armed men could get out of the treasure chest in which they're trapped.

    8. Re:In other news North Korea attempted a raid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "South Korea was invaded today, after the appearance of an odd looking horse that had soldiers hiding in it. The horse was completely ignored by the alarm system until it was too late. ..."

  4. PS2 missile guidance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Reminds of when people were afraid that Saddam Hussein would form a Beowulf cluster of PS2s for missile guidance control.

  5. dance dance revolution... by schlachter · · Score: 1

    will the south koreans now see lines of north koreans on their borders dancing in front of the kinect sensors?

    --
    My God can beat up your God. Just kidding...don't take offense. I know there's no God.
  6. easy workaround by slashmydots · · Score: 4, Funny

    When the kinect won't shut up about 2 people being in front of it or won't switch primary users, we just build a small fort around ourselves with couch cushions and tada, complete invisibility. I hope the Koreans haven't developed couch cushion technology.

  7. Why is the south doing this? by damn_registrars · · Score: 1

    I thought South Korea mostly welcomed people who were defecting from the north. If the North was trying to launch an attack of any significance I wouldn't expect the IR system would have a hard time identifying it.

    --
    Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
    1. Re:Why is the south doing this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not defectors, military inflitrators. Keep in mind the Korean War never actually ended and that the two countries still occasionally trade shots.

    2. Re:Why is the south doing this? by superwiz · · Score: 1

      Crossing a border undetected is not defecting. Crossing a border and then asking for asylum from the authorities is defecting.

      --
      Any guest worker system is indistinguishable from indentured servitude.
    3. Re:Why is the south doing this? by jittles · · Score: 4, Informative

      I thought South Korea mostly welcomed people who were defecting from the north. If the North was trying to launch an attack of any significance I wouldn't expect the IR system would have a hard time identifying it.

      Due to incident after incident the Korean troops have to be very careful who they let across the DMZ.

    4. Re:Why is the south doing this? by Mashiki · · Score: 1

      I thought South Korea mostly welcomed people who were defecting from the north.

      Not really, if you asked people on the streets you'd find that they'd be happier if China took their pseudo-province with them and dealt with the people there. N.Korea is effectively an entire brainwashed country, and in some cases like another poster pointed out, filled with dangerous brainwashed people.

      Not to forget that N.Korea's favorite past time is kidnapping young girls and women from S.Korea and Japan, giving them off as sex slaves to the higher ranking members of the military.

      --
      Om, nomnomnom...
    5. Re:Why is the south doing this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      N.Korea is effectively an entire brainwashed country, and in some cases like another poster pointed out, filled with dangerous brainwashed people.

      So not all that different from America then?

    6. Re:Why is the south doing this? by trytoguess · · Score: 1

      Not to forget that N.Korea's favorite past time is kidnapping young girls and women from S.Korea and Japan, giving them off as sex slaves to the higher ranking members of the military.

      Don't suppose you have a recent source for this claim? While N. Korea is the kooky nation in Asia, I find this claim rather outlandish.

    7. Re:Why is the south doing this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Right, the rest of the world's been brainwashing Americans for years to make them believe in the greatness of having a big central government, and by the 1950's it paid off.

    8. Re:Why is the south doing this? by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

      N.Korea is effectively an entire brainwashed country, and in some cases like another poster pointed out, filled with dangerous brainwashed people.

      So not all that different from America then?

      America isn't filled yet.

    9. Re:Why is the south doing this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Probably just another way for the south to keep an even closer eye on it's neighbor. The DMZ has a fair amount of posturing from both sides after all. See how South Korean troops will be in a basic martial arts stance while watching the border for example.

      On a minor note, this tech won't do much for or against N. Korean defectors because virtually none of them enter the South through the DMZ. See this CNN article which mentions that in recent memory there's been one DMZ defection in 2010 and another in 2012.

    10. Re:Why is the south doing this? by LoRdTAW · · Score: 0

      http://lmgtfy.com/?q=north+korean+sex+trafficking

      Then you click search tools and change "any time" to "past year". Plenty of sources.

    11. Re:Why is the south doing this? by trytoguess · · Score: 1

      So, google it myself eh? What a half assed response. But, since I was curious I did do that. The first result is a wiki article on the topic which doesn't mention any regular kidnapping of S. Korean and Japanese women for sexual slavery. Second one is a hubpages article which also says nothing on the topic. All in all, the first page of the google search mentions N. Korean women (especially women who flee N. Korea) getting exploited, but again nothing about regularly stealing women from countries that could destroy N. Korea should they feel like it. So I have to wonder, where are these "plenty of sources" you mention?

  8. war is only a game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Let's see, USA has America's Army, PRC has The Glorious Mission, what does ROK call their war recruitment game?

    1. Re:war is only a game by Dahamma · · Score: 2

      Life.

    2. Re:war is only a game by Minwee · · Score: 5, Funny

      Let's see, USA has America's Army, PRC has The Glorious Mission, what does ROK call their war recruitment game?

      "Who Wants To Eat Something?"

    3. Re:war is only a game by jratcliffe · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Let's see, USA has America's Army, PRC has The Glorious Mission, what does ROK call their war recruitment game?

      "Who Wants To Eat Something?"

      That would be the DPRK's version.

  9. Big deal by sl4shd0rk · · Score: 1

    Video monitoring at a Colo is pretty standard these days.

    --
    Join the Slashcott! Feb 10 thru Feb 17!
  10. Differentiating between people and animals? by schwit1 · · Score: 1

    What are people insects or vegetables?

    1. Re:Differentiating between people and animals? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Insects are animals.

    2. Re:Differentiating between people and animals? by Tablizer · · Score: 1

      Most people divide creatures into "tasty" and "non-tasty". It simplifies things.

  11. microsoft not responsible for war by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    microsoft not responsible for war

    1. Re:microsoft not responsible for war by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      microsoft not responsible for war

      The Browser Wars would say otherwise. And Microsoft played the part of Hitler there for quite a while with IE, so don't give me that shit they're not responsible. Monopolies take work to maintain a forced status quo.

    2. Re:microsoft not responsible for war by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Did Microsoft ever figure out how to make it work with black people?

      Maybe that's what they were doing with Dennis Rodman over there, supplying him with a few fertile women in hopes of breeding black soldiers who won't be seen by kinect.

    3. Re:microsoft not responsible for war by DarwinSurvivor · · Score: 1

      The kinect does not see color at all. It projects an IR point field and uses an IR camera to determine the distance of each point (via parallax) and creates a 3d mesh. You could paint your face purple and it wouldn't care in the slightest.

  12. So That's what happened... by bobbied · · Score: 0

    It wasn't Windows 8.1 sales that kept Microsoft out of the doldrums last year, they where selling X-Box/Kennect systems to the Koreans. All 20 of them.

    I KNEW it wasn't that hokey "Pay us $45/year for Office" license scheme or that Windows 8.1 sales slump that was keeping them afloat. Remember Dell went private and PC vendors all where reporting 20% decreases in sales numbers. Oh no, they where cashing in on X-Box sales.

    Sarcasm off now. What ever works, but using Kennect? Really?

    --
    "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
    1. Re:So That's what happened... by Ozymandias_KoK · · Score: 1

      Come on, now. There's a lot more than 20 Koreans, you know.

    2. Re:So That's what happened... by bobbied · · Score: 1

      Well, Only 20 North Koreans can afford an X-Box....

      Actually, because they only use this new "system" on part of the DMZ, I figured they didn't use very many of them. Haven't a clue how many they actually used.

      --
      "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
  13. Solid Snake : master of disguise by oneiros27 · · Score: 4, Funny

    For years people have complained about how much of an idiot security guards have to be for Solid Snake to be able to sneak around under their noses by hiding in a cardboard box.

    Now someone's actually built a system that would make it completely effective ... and they used video game controlers to do it. Coincidence?

    (conspiracy theorists can now discuss the probability that Konami paid them to it)

    --
    Build it, and they will come^Hplain.
    1. Re:Solid Snake : master of disguise by slashmydots · · Score: 1

      Nooooo, if Konami was behind it all, they'd line up a grid of Dance Dance Revolution pads on the border. They have some very sensitive sensors in them.

    2. Re:Solid Snake : master of disguise by Dahamma · · Score: 1

      line up a grid of Dance Dance Revolution pads on the border

      Attached to land mines!

    3. Re:Solid Snake : master of disguise by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

      line up a grid of Dance Dance Revolution pads on the border

      Attached to land mines!

      Make sure you get those steps right; you don't want to get a low score!

  14. join or die by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 2

    I think that is what it is up north.

  15. Easy workaround. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just dress up like a woodchuck and you are golden!

  16. "X-Machine-Gun-Box!" by Zaatxe · · Score: 1

    "Turn off!"

    --
    So say we all
  17. I see what they're trying to do here... by Floyd-ATC · · Score: 1

    1. Find a way to crash Kinect, a Microsoft product. 2. Invade North Korea undetected. ...This is obviously an attempt to have the south koreans and americans laugh themselves to death.

    --
    Time flies when you don't know what you're doing
  18. Wave for Kinect. by jeffmflanagan · · Score: 1

    The tragic flaw being that the North Koreans won't wave to tell Kinect to recognize them.

  19. A convergence of Sci-Fi and reality by Virtucon · · Score: 1

    I hadn't thought of this with the Kinect controllers becoming available but with this application it appears we can now build the Marine Automatic Machine Gun from Aliens!, the UA-571C! Should I just Kickstart it or what?

    Just what I need to keep those pesky kids off my lawn!

    --
    Harrison's Postulate - "For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism"
    1. Re:A convergence of Sci-Fi and reality by camperdave · · Score: 1

      ... it appears we can now build the Marine Automatic Machine Gun from Aliens!

      You're about ten years too late. People have been building automatic sentry paintball guns for a long time. For example, here's some footage from 2006.

      --
      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    2. Re:A convergence of Sci-Fi and reality by Virtucon · · Score: 1

      I want live rounds.. not paintball stuff and AFAIK those are pretty much motion detectors on mounts right? This can discriminate so I could hit the specific target I'd want. We have to think out of the box here because just having an indiscriminate killing machine wouldn't be fun, right?

      --
      Harrison's Postulate - "For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism"
  20. MAX RANGE: 15 FEET !! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Or about 2 metres !! Or 4 yards !! Go Broncos !! Get your ass silly kicked !!

    1. Re:MAX RANGE: 15 FEET !! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or about 2 metres !! Or 4 yards !! Go Broncos !! Get your ass silly kicked !!

      Leave Peyton Manning's arm strength out of this.

  21. dancing is ... by Martin+S. · · Score: 2

    Dancing is for decadent westerners.

    Citizens of the glorious Peoples Republic do not engage in such degenerate nonsense.

  22. Already exists by Martin+S. · · Score: 2

    I give you the Samsung SGR-A1

    http://www.mobilemag.com/wp-co...

  23. Easy! by arielCo · · Score: 2

    It's a job for the Ananthropomorphic Infiltration Suit: http://i.imgur.com/ilwyj.jpg

    --
    This post contains no rudeness or derision of any kind. All arguments are friendly. Terms and exclusions may apply.
  24. CIA Playing Warcraft by DarthVain · · Score: 1

    As the Korean military justifies buying video games for all their lounges.

    "En, yeah, they are in the DMZ, yeah that's right, monitoring for incursions! Oh you want to see them, well I guess you could, they are surrounded by several million landmines, but go right ahead, I am sure accounting will appreciate your diligence..."

  25. How long until they can connect it to a gun? by swb · · Score: 2

    I wonder how long until they can connect it to a gun and have it automatically neutralize threats?

    It's not hard to imagine a network of sensors and guns that can be used to automatically target infiltrators and neutralize them.

    1. Re:How long until they can connect it to a gun? by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      I wonder how long until they can connect it to a gun and have it automatically neutralize threats?

      It's not hard to imagine a network of sensors and guns that can be used to automatically target infiltrators and neutralize them.

      I'm fairly certain that automated 'defense' systems violate the Geneva Conventions.

      Which translates to, "you're likely to see the US government use the system on domestic protesters long before you see it in actual combat between two nations."

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    2. Re:How long until they can connect it to a gun? by Kaenneth · · Score: 1

      They have those already; they are just very expensive, COTS (Common Off The Shelf) hardware has many advantages.

    3. Re:How long until they can connect it to a gun? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Probably not right away, if your goal is to kill the infiltrator then automated devices have been around for ages, search for "landmine".

    4. Re:How long until they can connect it to a gun? by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 2

      Yesterday's 10,000 dollar specialty equipment is today's 200 dollar video game accessory. Wiimote, Kinect, wii balance board, all come to mind right away.

      --
      Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
    5. Re:How long until they can connect it to a gun? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean like this:

      http://www.gizmag.com/korea-dodamm-super-aegis-autonomos-robot-gun-turret/17198/

  26. deceptive titles: it's Kinect inspired software by Gravis+Zero · · Score: 2

    what they are using is based on the same recognition semantics that the Kinect uses. bottom line: it's software that is inspired by how the Kinect works what uses their existing hardware thus saving oodles of money.

    --
    Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
    1. Re:deceptive titles: it's Kinect inspired software by OakDragon · · Score: 1

      But what kind of fun commentary can we get out of that?

    2. Re:deceptive titles: it's Kinect inspired software by Cedric+Tsui · · Score: 1

      Oh. Yeah... you're right. The slashdot article mis-quoted the parent article. Okay. That's less insane now.

  27. Blowback by Tablizer · · Score: 1

    capable of differentiating between people and animals

    Then the north will just arm their animals as a work-around.

    You know, the Right to Arm Bears.

    1. Re:Blowback by Gravis+Zero · · Score: 1

      capable of differentiating between people and animals

      Then the north will just arm their animals as a work-around.

      You know, the Right to Arm Bears.

      in the north you have no rights at all.

      --
      Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
    2. Re:Blowback by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      boooooo!

    3. Re:Blowback by Tablizer · · Score: 1

      Unbearable conditions?

    4. Re:Blowback by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The North Korean constitution is actually quite progressive and ensures all the basic liberties and entitles all citizens' welfare and civil liberties.

  28. Microsoft windows? by Gary · · Score: 1

    But are they actually using Microsoft Windows to monitor the Kinnects? That could bring a whole new meaning to the phrase "Blue Screen of Death".

  29. What kind of range? by will_die · · Score: 2

    From the technical side what kind of range can the kinetic have? It is designed for a home use so 15 to 20 feet?
    If that is the case then how can they be using them in the DMZ when you would want to detect people further out then that.

    1. Re:What kind of range? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Good enough for a land mine anyway.

    2. Re:What kind of range? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Don't the mines do that?

  30. See what ti does with an errant tee shot from the by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    As Scott van Pelt's disembodied voice is heard from the guard shack

  31. DMZ Is Not A Migration Route by cmholm · · Score: 2

    Citizens of the North trying to go South do it through China, the Yalu River being a much easier, safer crossing. Only soldiers work the heavily mined and observed DMZ. Crossing the intra-Korean border is a really good way to get shot by either/both sides.

    --
    Luke, help me take this mask off ... Just for once, let me butterfly kiss you with my own eyes.
    1. Re:DMZ Is Not A Migration Route by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No you only know half of the story, man. There are some authorised personnels can access to DMZ who are not soldiers but farmers or something AFAIK. No, I do not think soldiers are allowed in DMZ at all since it would be treated as war I guess..

  32. Is there more info? This makes no sense to me by AC-x · · Score: 1

    Does anyone have any more info on what they're actually doing with these? Because it makes absolutely no sense to me. The Kinect's depth sensor has a maximum range of 6 meters, after that it's no better than a VGA webcam, and I'm pretty sure the things they'll want to identify are more than 6m away...

    1. Re:Is there more info? This makes no sense to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ... , . ... from hankooki

      "... It is a system that automatically alerts specific department if detected moving object comes across the DMZ is determined as a human rather than an animal. ..." This is pretty much everything in the news article about exactly what they are doing with Kinect.

  33. after 9.5 months there in 1970, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    i was convinced the koreas could do this just as well without us.