Wiimote-controlled 'Jazari' robot percussion takes us back to our tribal, Nintendo-hacking roots

We've seen the hacker-friendly, Bluetooth-based Wiimote used for so many purposes by now that it's hard to get excited about just any amalgamation of accelerometer-based fun. Patrick Flanagan's 'Jazari' project breaks past the yawn factor with a veritable museum's worth of robotic instruments, which are all controlled from a pair of Wiimotes and some rather intelligent software. It all seems a little too complicated to be live-controlled, but as Patrick himself explains in true music nerd detail, there's pretty much a button or a twist or a tilt behind every bit of the wild djembe, bongo and cowbell stylings that make up Jazari's "steamfunk" (his term) music. Check out both videos after the break.

[max1c Posted Feb 20th 2010 4:30PM]

wow lol pretty awesome !

[thehotC Posted Feb 20th 2010 4:31PM]

@max1c
i want one!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

[Dking7 Posted Feb 20th 2010 4:50PM]

He is not wearing the strap.. .Nintendo will be Maddd...

[GenericMessage Posted Feb 20th 2010 5:31PM]

@Dking7

Nor the giant condom.

[iKid Posted Feb 20th 2010 4:54PM]

I love how he starts dancing along :P

[TimeWriter Posted Feb 20th 2010 4:58PM]

Nice, but sounds expensive...

[Drybones5 Posted Feb 20th 2010 5:35PM]

OMG, I watching how it works, and that is soooo cool :O

I was really interested in the Machine improvise which seems cool

[technognu Posted Feb 20th 2010 5:35PM]

awsome use of a wiimote

[Hearsay Posted Feb 20th 2010 6:16PM]

very cool that guy is not only technically gifted but he knows way way more about music and rhythm then I know.

[chikinfeet Posted Feb 20th 2010 6:45PM]

How does he fit all of that in his mothers basement?

[STu Posted Feb 20th 2010 9:13PM]

That's extremely impressive

[One Love Posted Feb 21st 2010 2:36AM]

hes high

[SuperHaole Posted Feb 22nd 2010 1:21PM]

@One Love
Of course he's high. He's a musician.
And I'm pretty sure the decision to get those shoes was made while under the influence.

[jim2606 Posted Feb 21st 2010 6:58AM]

bigger and better
http://www.patmetheny.com/orchestrioninfo/

[Gwanatu Posted Feb 22nd 2010 12:27PM]

Freakin awesome.

[Reaper man Posted Feb 23rd 2010 4:54AM]

"The WiiMotes transmit a Bluetooth signal that is received by my MacBook Pro."

FAIL. Tag this apple Engadget... I don't want to see it.