Kinect

In AIRLab we have currently two (first-generation) Microsoft Kinect sensors. The Kinect is defined as a "motion sensing input device": for robotics it is an interesting, multisensor device which has a low price in comparison to the provided hardware.

Connecting the Kinect

Contrary to what you could expect, the issue is not straightforward. One awkward feature of the Kinect is its bizarre data+power connection system. The cable going out from the base of the device ends in a large, non-standard connector with an orange inner part. Such connector is intended for the combination of USB cable + 12V DC power adapter that Microsoft puts in the box along with the Kinect (and which, of course, sports a matching connector, with orange interior as well).

When you connect the Kinect to its power supply/USB cable, on one side of the non-standard socket+plug you have the Kinect, while on the other side you have the power adapter and a short cable with a standard USB connector. You have to connect the power adapter to a 230V power outlet, and the USB plugto a socket of your PC, and you're ready to use the Kinect (on the hardware side, that is). Unfortunately, this setup is very inconvenient for robot-mounted Kinects. Robots don't have 230V AC outlets, so you can't use the standard power supply, though you must use it if you need to connect the Kinect to a PC (which of course is the case). In fact the USB cable is physically linked to the useless power supply. So you have to leave the non-standard plug and socket connected, which provides you with the USB cable (which is good) and a useless, dangling power supply (which is not good). Moreover, the Kinect does not work because it is not powered.

The solution to this problem is, of course, to hack the Kinect. Precisely, to cut the cable connecting the power supply to the non-standard connector and use a two-pole connector to rejoin the parts. We used two common "Faston" blade connectors for this. So, when you want to use the Kinect with its own 230V AC power, you simply keep the Fastons connected. When, instead, you need to put the Kinect on board a robot, you disconnect the Fastons, put the Kinect power supply away (but leave the non-standard connectors joined, thus retaining the USB cable and a couple of unconnected Fastons) and finally connect the Fastons to an onboard power supply capable of supplying 12V DC. For instance, a lead battery.