Microsoft Research has altogether too often been an unsung hero when it comes to the innovation that helps drive Microsoft forward as one of the world’s leading brands. MSR has been a driving force around Azure, AI, Mixed Reality, and Xbox. The success of MSR has been to give its researchers room to spend time on ideas that may not immediately turn into product, but always have a germ of something that leads to customer delight.

When I was in the Startup Business Accelerator group (a part of MSR focused on taking research from the lab to product), I was asked to help provide Microsoft CTO Eric Rudder with something cool from MSR to show during his keynote at CES. Illumiroom (aka “Room Alive”) was a perfect fit. A product of the lab run by Andy Wilson, famous for next gen interaction investigations, Illumiroom was a perfect fit to show at CES.

I worked directly with Seattle media agency World Famous, partnering on the creative. I also acted as the executive producer for the project.