Microsoft has officially discontinued production of the Azure Kinect Developer Kit. This news might feel like déjà vu for some, as Microsoft had already ceased production of its original Kinect device years ago. The current discontinuation pertains to the Azure Kinect Developer Kit, which was introduced in 2019.
Microsoft originally announced in 2017 that it was ending production of its flagship motion control device, the Kinect, concluding its seven-year run.
In 2018, the company followed up by halting production of the Xbox Kinect Adapter, the USB accessory that enabled Kinect connectivity with the Xbox One S, Xbox One X, or a Windows PC.
However, the Kinect made a comeback in 2019 as the Azure Kinect Developer Kit—a $399 PC peripheral designed for enterprise use and developers creating AI algorithms, powered by Azure cloud technology.
Now, Microsoft has announced the end of production for the Azure Kinect Developer Kit. This device featured a 12-megapixel camera, a time-of-flight depth sensor, and seven microphones.
Despite this, the technology won’t completely vanish. Microsoft indicated that the technology would still be accessible through its partner ecosystem.
For those still in need of such a device, Microsoft recommends the Femto Bolt by Orbbec, which utilizes the same depth camera module as an alternative.
The remaining Azure Kinect Developer Kits will be available for purchase until the end of October or while supplies last. Existing users can continue to use the devices without any interruptions, and the Azure Kinect Developer Kit SDK (software development kit) will remain available for download.
The Kinect was first launched for the Xbox 360 in November 2010 and sold approximately 35 million units during its lifetime.
Microsoft attempted to revive the device by bundling it with the Xbox One at its 2013 launch, but the increased console price led to a quick discontinuation of the bundles.
