Wiimote brings a new level of depth to Second Life training
The idea of using the simulated world of Second Life as a training and educational hub isn't new -- in fact, it's even promoted on the official website. It looks like those Second Life simulations are about to get a lot more hands-on, however, thanks to the Wii remote ... which, it seems, really can doanything.
According to some, training in Second Life has thus far been somewhat limited. Sure, you can recreate nearly any physical environment, but what happens when you need to get a little more hands-on? Second Life can help, for example, a new worker for Orkin learn how to inspect a house, but what happens when virtual training requires the new employee to pick up a tool? Enter the Wii remote. Training on tools from screwdrivers to scalpels will now be much easier, and all without anyone getting dirty. The implications are so far-reaching that MIT research fellow David E. Stone calls the Wiimote "one of the most significant technology breakthroughs in the history of computer science." Wow, and we thought we were fans!
Stone's firm has been hired by Orkin and others to help create more fully-realized training simulations using Second Life and the Wii controller, and a consortium of European universities are even considering his services in the creation of a virtual cancer lab. Can the Wiimote help cure cancer? It looks like that could be a possibility.
[Thanks to Christopher and hvnlysoldr!]
