Layer above Kinect.
Zigfu is the easiest way to make and play Kinect apps. Download the plugin, hook up your sensor, and enjoy the future now!
Key people at Zigfu.
Zigfu was founded by Amir Hirsch (Founder) and Roee Shenberg (Founder) and Shlomo Zippel (Founder) and Ted Blackman (Founder).
Zigfu was founded by Amir Hirsch (Founder) and Roee Shenberg (Founder) and Shlomo Zippel (Founder) and Ted Blackman (Founder).
Key people at Zigfu.
Zigfu is a software development kit (SDK) that acts as a layer above Microsoft's Kinect and other depth sensors like ASUS Xtion, enabling developers to easily integrate natural user interfaces and gesture controls into applications, particularly within the Unity3D game engine environment. It serves developers building interactive applications and games by simplifying the use of Kinect’s skeletal tracking and gesture recognition capabilities, thus solving the complexity of working directly with raw sensor data and middleware like OpenNI[2][3][4].
Zigfu builds a developer-friendly SDK that abstracts the Kinect and OpenNI middleware, focusing on gesture and motion control integration for interactive applications. It primarily serves game developers, interactive media creators, and software engineers who want to leverage Kinect-like devices without deep expertise in sensor programming. By simplifying access to skeletal tracking and gesture recognition, Zigfu solves the problem of high technical barriers and long development cycles associated with Kinect-based projects. The product has shown growth momentum within the Unity3D developer community, evidenced by its GitHub presence and adoption for prototyping and commercial projects[4][6].
Zigfu was founded by developers with backgrounds in interactive media and game development who recognized the difficulty in harnessing Kinect’s full potential due to its complex SDKs and middleware. The idea emerged from the need to create a more accessible, streamlined development experience for Kinect and OpenNI devices, especially within Unity3D, a popular game engine. Early traction came from the gaming and interactive art communities, where Zigfu’s plugin enabled rapid prototyping and deployment of gesture-based applications, distinguishing itself from more cumbersome native SDKs[4][6].
Zigfu rides the wave of natural user interface (NUI) and gesture control trends, which gained momentum with Kinect’s introduction and the rise of immersive, interactive experiences. The timing was crucial as demand for intuitive, body-driven controls grew in gaming, VR/AR, and interactive installations. Market forces favoring hands-free, immersive interaction technologies, combined with the popularity of Unity3D, positioned Zigfu as a valuable enabler in the ecosystem. It helped lower barriers for developers, accelerating innovation in motion-controlled applications and contributing to the broader adoption of sensor-based interaction paradigms[2][3][4].
Looking ahead, Zigfu’s influence depends on the continued relevance of Kinect-style depth sensors and the evolution of gesture-based interfaces in gaming, VR/AR, and smart environments. As new sensor technologies emerge, Zigfu’s model of simplifying complex hardware integration remains relevant. Future trends shaping its journey include AI-enhanced gesture recognition and cross-platform sensor support. Zigfu could evolve by expanding compatibility and integrating with next-generation immersive platforms, maintaining its role as a key enabler for natural user interfaces.
In summary, Zigfu serves as a critical middleware layer that democratizes access to Kinect and similar sensors, empowering developers to create innovative, gesture-driven applications with greater speed and ease.
