这个问题在Quora上有过讨论，也算是我本行接触很多的技术。基本上，leap motion的主要原理是使用红外LED+灰阶camera的方式才采集数据，并生成3D数据。
这样的技术并不算新鲜，但Leap的优势是在软件方面，当然由于使用了红外LED+灰阶camera，成本也会更便宜一些。由于只处理手部的3D，不像现在Kinect需要生成全身skeleton, 复杂的depth信息，Leap的运行效率自然也会高很多，对处理图形的DSP要求也不会特别高。
Kinect的技术是用激光+camera的方式实现3D建模。其实两者的实现的总的方式是差不多的，无非是技术使用以及算法上面的区别。如果Leap的技术做远距离的，性能就不会有现在的那么好了。
其实，现在有比Leap更好的技术，成本上比他们还要便宜，就是E-field。具体技术细节我就不罗嗦了，想学习的可以Google去。E-field在3D建模的性能上，XYZ坐标的识别速度上都很好，而且关键的是，这种技术对PCB没有过多的空间需求，成本也更便宜。相比Leap，我更看好E-filed。
附上在Quora上的一些讨论：
Hans Gerwitz, underperforming consumer
10 votes by
David Lojudice Sobrinho,
Mattias Petter Johansson,
Waldir Pimenta,
(more)Engadget's hands-on review included this:
We asked both Holz, and Buckwald about the underlying technology that enables such high-fidelity controls, and were told that it's an optical system that tracks your fingers with infrared LEDs and cameras in a way unlike any other motion control tech.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/...This is pretty consistent with the form factor of the prototypes and pre-production models that have been shown. Also, Holz (the CTO who has developed the magic math that reportedly enables the Leap) previously worked on a NASA project that used camera data to determine atmospheric composition. Determining the difference between air and finger seems pretty trivial compared to finding methane in CO2.
