Touchable Holograms with Wiimotes

 

Ever wanted to touch an hologram?
Well, researchers at Tokyo University have devised a very ingenious way to do it, using Wiimotes to track user's hands, and some ultrasonic transducers to create the "feel" of a virtual object.

Fast Robot vs Human

The following video shows what every Terminator watching spectator has known for years: robots will rule the world! :)

In this demo, the fastest "pick and place" robot, Adept Quattro, faces a human trying to trick it, moving a base where the robot has to put/remove some pieces.

Do I need to tell you who wins?

DIPLOMA: Augmented Reality Rail Shooter

One more example of what's to come. This DIPLOMA project uses augmented reality and a Nintendo Wiimote to provide a truly immersive game experience.

Nothing like watching the video to see how it works:


DIPLOMA : Immersive Rail Shooter from David Arenou on Vimeo.


In a realted note, I had the opportunity to play around a bit with a 3D camera, with the same kind of technology that will be used by Microsoft's Project Natal. That thing is simply... AMAZING!
I'll be writing a more detailed review in the following days, but I'm now sure this will really be a big revolution (at least, technology-wise: these 3D cameras cost well over $8000, and MS's Natal is expected to be sold under $100... I just hope it will be "open enough" for us to use in our projects, kind of like what is done with the Wiimote. :)
 

Sixense TrueMotion 3D

Just because Nintendo Wii is currently the reference in motion based entertainment - and not only, their Wiimote is curretnly used in countless other projects - it doesn't mean other companies can't try to improve this kind of technology.

Just check this TrueMotion 3D system from Sixense. It uses a magnetic system allowing to track both hands with millimeter precision and a reponse time of just 10ms.

CAM-TRAX

Do you envy Nintendo Wii and its Wiimote?

Well, if CAM-TRAX is has good as it seems to be, soon your PC won't have nothing to worry about, and you'll be able to use any object as a game controler.And all you'll need is a simple webcam (and any other object.)

Check the video:



Impressive, isn't it?

Wiimote on Nokia N810 - Part II

Here's another (and let's say it: more exciting) project connecting a Wiimote to the Nokia MIDs.

(and Ryan, no it still doesn't require placing LEDs on the N810 screen... at least for now ;)

Wiimote on the Nokia N810

What can I say? It's the advantages of using a standard protocol for input devices... even though it took a lot of experimenting till "hackers" found out how to properly use all Wiimote functions.

If it's common to use Nintendos bluetooth Wiimote controller on the PC, this is slightly different: as you can now use it on your Nokia N810 MID.

Thanks to a small python script, your Nokia can now receive the Wiimote bluetooth commands and translate it into common X-Windows events (simulating keypresses and mouse clicks.)

Check the video:


Project page [WiiControl]