Microsoft unveils Xbox Kinect motion control system

Microsoft unveiled its new controller-free, motion-sensor system Kinect for Xbox 360 at a launch in Los Angeles.

The device - previously code-named Project Natal - was shown ahead of this week's E3 games expo, the world's largest gaming trade show.

Kinect packs laser motion and voice sensors into a box on top of your TV and allows gamers to control the on-screen action by moving their entire body rather than bashing buttons on a game pad.

Hailed by Microsoft as the next big technological step in gaming, the American computing giant is hoping its more intuitive control method will introduce a wider audience to gaming, as Nintendo did with its popular Wii console.

Kinect can be used to control games, TV services (including Sky), or even for video chat with MSN users across the world. However, unlike the Nintendo Wii and Sony's upcoming Move device, voice recognition and hand gestures do away with the need for a physical remote control device.

Kinect was given a sneak reveal last night at a celebrity-packed party hosted by Cirque du Soleil. Video game fan and TV presenter Jack Osbourne and Girls Aloud's Nadine Coyle attended.