Microsoft (MSFT) is launching a new consumer technology on Thursday called Kinect, which uses motion-detecting cameras and microphones to sense commands, the Financial Times reports. "It's the first meaningful device that combines motion control, voice control and facial recognition -- that's real science fiction," James McQuivey, analyst at Forrester Research told the Times.

Microsoft has spent millions in research labs to invent new and more natural ways for people to control computers. Presently, Microsoft will limit its work with Kinect by building it into its game console. Eventually, it will have a far wider impact.

Alex Kipman, who led development of the project, said the aim is to remove gadgets from our hands rather than to put more devices there. As an example of one future application, Kipman said surgeons inside sterile operating rooms could "summon up information simply by sweeping their hands in front of a screen and speaking commands," the Times added.

Last week, Microsoft bought Canesta, a private chip maker that senses objects in 3-D. The Financial Times also said that Microsoft has yet to develop applications using Kinect to its windows program, but discussions are already underway about how the technology can be used.