Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SUFFER '11 farming robot plays a multitude of roles, takes commands via Wiimote (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/30/suffer-11-farming-robot-plays-a-multitude-of-roles-takes-comma/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/30/suffer-11-farming-robot-plays-a-multitude-of-roles-takes-comma/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/30/suffer-11-farming-robot-plays-a-multitude-of-roles-takes-comma/#comments So much for stereotypes, eh? The future of farming is being painted in a far different light here at NEXT Aarhus, where a team from the University of Southern Denmark brought in the largest Wiimote-controlled robot that we've ever seen. The heretofore unnamed beast (going by SUFFER '11 for the time being) is a farming-centric machine that's designed to take the load off of the landowners (while providing a bit of enjoyment all the while). Put simply, this modular bot can have various apparatuses swapped into its midsection -- one pop-in attachment could pick potatoes, while another could disperse pesticide, for example. There's even a module that'll enable it to detect rows and plow down the obvious routes, making it that much easier for farmers of the next millennium to take time off. Of course, the standout feature from our perspective was the inbuilt Bluetooth and WiFi, which allowed the demonstrator to operate the 'bot with a standard Wii remote. Per usual, the vid's after the break.

Gallery: SUFFER '11 farming robot hands-on at NEXT Aarhus

Continue reading SUFFER '11 farming robot plays a multitude of roles, takes commands via Wiimote (video)

SUFFER '11 farming robot plays a multitude of roles, takes commands via Wiimote (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothcontrollerdiyfarmfarmingfarming robotFarmingRobothackhands-onmodnextnext aarhusnext aarhus 2011NextAarhusNextAarhus2011nintendorobotuniversityuniversity of southern denmarkUniversityOfSouthernDenmarkvideowifiwiiwii controllerwii remoteWiiControllerwiimoteWiiRemoteTue, 30 Aug 2011 14:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Maker Faire pony has Wiimote-controlled indigestion, belches fire (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/maker-faire-pony-has-wiimote-controlled-indigestion-belches-fir/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/maker-faire-pony-has-wiimote-controlled-indigestion-belches-fir/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/maker-faire-pony-has-wiimote-controlled-indigestion-belches-fir/#comments There's a good reason why My Little Pony wasn't marketed to boys. Shown off at the 2011 Maker Faire in Detroit, this animatronic, fire-breathing horsie got to spread a little heat thanks to the Louisville, KY-based modding duo, LVL1. The partially Wiimote-controlled mechanical filly is the result of the duo's Hackerspace efforts, and plans are already underway to loose this steed into the great, fully wireless open. Also on deck for the hot-mouthed stallion: a flame-spewing cabbage patch doll riding companion. How's that for a DIY-perversion of your precious 80s youth? Peep the full pyromania-tinged project after the break.

Continue reading Maker Faire pony has Wiimote-controlled indigestion, belches fire (video)

Maker Faire pony has Wiimote-controlled indigestion, belches fire (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cabbage patch dollCabbagePatchDolldetroitDIYfire-breathing ponyFire-breathingPonyhackHackerspacemaker faireMaker Faire detroit 2011MakerFaireMakerFaireDetroit2011modmy little ponyMyLittlePonyponyvideoWiimoteMon, 01 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Student moves quadriplegics with Wiimote wheelchair control (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/14/student-moves-quadriplegics-with-wiimote-wheelchair-control-vid/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/14/student-moves-quadriplegics-with-wiimote-wheelchair-control-vid/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/14/student-moves-quadriplegics-with-wiimote-wheelchair-control-vid/#comments There were certainly a couple whiz kids at Intel's International Science and Engineering Fair this year, but high school senior John Hinckel's a regular MacGyver: he built a wheelchair remote control out of a couple sheets of transparent plastic, four sliding furniture rails and some string. A Nintendo Wiimote goes in your hat and tells the whole system what to do -- simply tilt your head in any direction, and accelerometer readings are sent over Bluetooth. The receiving laptop activates microcontrollers, directing servo motors to pull the strings, and acrylic gates push the joystick accordingly to steer your vehicle. We tried on the headset for ourselves and came away fairly impressed -- it's no mind control, but for $534 in parts, it just might do. Apparently, we weren't the only ones who thought so, as patents are pending, and a manufacturer of wheelchair control systems has already expressed interest in commercializing the idea. See the young inventor show it off after the break.

Continue reading Student moves quadriplegics with Wiimote wheelchair control (video)

Student moves quadriplegics with Wiimote wheelchair control (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 May 2010 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerometerDIYdo it yourselfDoItYourselfhackhackshands-onIntel International Science and Engineering FairIntel ISEF 2010IntelInternationalScienceAndEngineeringFairIntelIsef2010ISEFISEF 2010Isef2010John HinckelJohnHinckelmodmodsmotion controlmotion controlledmotion controllermotion controlsMotionControlMotionControlledMotionControllerMotionControlsNintendoNintendo WiiNintendo Wii RemoteNintendoWiiNintendoWiiRemotesciencevideowheelchairwheelchairswii remotewii remote controlwiimotewiimote hackwiimote hacksWiimoteHackWiimoteHacksWiiRemoteWiiRemoteControlFri, 14 May 2010 08:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghostbusters Wii mod sets a new bar, proves that dreams do come true]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/ghostbusters-wii-mod-sets-a-new-bar-proves-that-dreams-do-come/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/ghostbusters-wii-mod-sets-a-new-bar-proves-that-dreams-do-come/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/ghostbusters-wii-mod-sets-a-new-bar-proves-that-dreams-do-come/#comments The Wii has seen its fair share of related modifications, and while our favorite Nintendo mod still has Pixar written all over it, this one just might take the cake for the Big N's freshest console. Created by an obviously obsessed (and über-talented) Ghostbusters fan, the Nintendo Wii Proton Pack is a fully functional device that beautifully complements the Wii version of the Ghostbusters video game. For those doubting the thought that went into this, take a listen: the Blue Power Cell accurately reflects how much power you have left, and the Thrower has been designed to covertly hold both the Wiimote and the Nunchuk. Better still, the Wiimote's internal speaker enables the pack to make true-to-film noises. Hit the source link to get a better look, but we'd recommend suiting up in your best 80s era, ghoul-busting garb before diving in.

Update: In-action video is now after the break!

Continue reading Ghostbusters Wii mod sets a new bar, proves that dreams do come true

Ghostbusters Wii mod sets a new bar, proves that dreams do come true originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllercyclotronGhostbustersgunhackmodnintendopistolweaponwiiwii controllerWiiControllerwiimotezuulFri, 26 Feb 2010 15:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Wiipod modder shoves an MP3 player in his Wiimote, calls it a day]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/21/wiipod-modder-shoves-an-mp3-player-in-his-wiimote-calls-it-a-da/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/21/wiipod-modder-shoves-an-mp3-player-in-his-wiimote-calls-it-a-da/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/21/wiipod-modder-shoves-an-mp3-player-in-his-wiimote-calls-it-a-da/#comments
Readers, don't act like you're appalled that this mod consists entirely of an old iPod shuffle shoved into the battery compartment of a Wiimote game controller. If anything, you should be amused that this mod consists entirely of an old iPod shuffle KIRF shoved into the battery compartment of a Wiimote game controller. See for yourself after the break.

[Via Technabob]

Continue reading Wiipod modder shoves an MP3 player in his Wiimote, calls it a day

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Wiipod modder shoves an MP3 player in his Wiimote, calls it a day originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hacksipodipod shuffleIpodShufflekirfmodmodsportable audioportableaudioshufflewiimotewiipodFri, 21 Aug 2009 21:23:00 EST<![CDATA[OpenChord allows actual guitars to play Guitar Hero, sound atrocious]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/07/openchord-allows-actual-guitars-to-play-guitar-hero-sound-atroc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/07/openchord-allows-actual-guitars-to-play-guitar-hero-sound-atroc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/07/openchord-allows-actual-guitars-to-play-guitar-hero-sound-atroc/#comments
You've heard that saying "so close, yet so far away," right? This, folks, is why that very quote exists. The obviously brilliant team over at OpenChord has designed a system that enables an honest-to-goodness guitar to sync up with Nintendo's Wii in order to play Guitar Hero. You simply plug the Wiimote into the axe and use the bona fide strings and frets in place of those plastic buttons you're so used to using. The only problem? Guitar Hero wasn't designed for use with six strings and 22 to 24 frets, and man, does it show. Hop on past the break to have a listen, and yes, your dreams of actually taking advantage of this will be shattered. Bet on it.

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading OpenChord allows actual guitars to play Guitar Hero, sound atrocious

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OpenChord allows actual guitars to play Guitar Hero, sound atrocious originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>axecontrollerguitarguitar heroGuitarHerohackinstrumentmodmusicnintendo wiiNintendoWiiopen chordOpenChordopenchord v1OpenchordV1v1wiiwii controllerWiiControllerwiimoteFri, 07 Aug 2009 09:53:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone and Wiimote brought together by Bluetooth]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/iphone-and-wiimote-brought-together-by-bluetooth/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/iphone-and-wiimote-brought-together-by-bluetooth/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/iphone-and-wiimote-brought-together-by-bluetooth/#comments
It's been a long time going, but it looks like the invisible divide between the iPhone and the Wii remote has finally been bridged through the magic of Bluetooth. That was apparently made possible thanks to the portable Bluetooth stack from the BTStack project, which got paired with some custom OpenGL-ES code to allow the Wiimote to control a virtual representation of itself on the iPhone. Practical? Of course not. But it's a Wiimote controlling an iPhone. Video after the break.

[Via MAKE]

Continue reading iPhone and Wiimote brought together by Bluetooth

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iPhone and Wiimote brought together by Bluetooth originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebluetoothhackiphonemobilemodnintendoperipheralswii remotewiimoteWiiRemoteWed, 05 Aug 2009 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone and Wiimote brought together by Bluetooth]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/iphone-and-wiimote-brought-together-by-bluetooth/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/iphone-and-wiimote-brought-together-by-bluetooth/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/iphone-and-wiimote-brought-together-by-bluetooth/#comments
It's been a long time going, but it looks like the invisible divide between the iPhone and the Wii remote has finally been bridged through the magic of Bluetooth. That was apparently made possible thanks to the portable Bluetooth stack from the BTStack project, which got paired with some custom OpenGL-ES code to allow the Wiimote to control a virtual representation of itself on the iPhone. Practical? Of course not. But it's a Wiimote controlling an iPhone. Video after the break.

[Via MAKE]

Continue reading iPhone and Wiimote brought together by Bluetooth

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iPhone and Wiimote brought together by Bluetooth originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebluetoothhackhacksiphonemodmodsnintendowii remotewiimoteWiiRemoteWed, 05 Aug 2009 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Johnny Chung Lee joins Project Natal team, puts Wii hacking experience to good use]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/johnny-chung-lee-joins-project-natal-team-puts-wii-hacking-expe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/johnny-chung-lee-joins-project-natal-team-puts-wii-hacking-expe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/johnny-chung-lee-joins-project-natal-team-puts-wii-hacking-expe/#comments
In this time of economic hardship, it warms the heart just to hear that someone's found any job. But when our main man Johnny Chung Lee lands a position on Microsoft's Project Natal team, it's high fives and handshakes all around. And really, it's a perfect fit -- among the many hacks of his illustrious career, he's put together a VR head tracker (and utilized it in a first-person shooter) for the Wii game console. Apparently, Lee's part of the group that is taking the tech we saw at E3 and getting it ready for prime time. As you'd expect, the man is pretty stoked to have landed his dream job. "The 3D sensor itself is a pretty incredible piece of equipment, he says, "similar to very expensive laser range finding systems but at a tiny fraction of the cost." Congratulations, Johnny! If you should feel the need to leak any product pics, you have our email address.

[Via Joystiq]

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Johnny Chung Lee joins Project Natal team, puts Wii hacking experience to good use originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3 2009E32009hackhacksjohnny chung leeJohnnyChungLeekinectmodmodsproject natalProjectNatalwiiwiimoteFri, 12 Jun 2009 11:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Wii Nunchuk controls motorized Beancat chair]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/07/video-wii-nunchuk-controls-motorized-beancat-chair/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/07/video-wii-nunchuk-controls-motorized-beancat-chair/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/07/video-wii-nunchuk-controls-motorized-beancat-chair/#comments Nintendo's Wiimote (and the Nunchuk, by extension) have certainly been wired up to control their fair share of oddities, but we honestly can't think of a more suitable use for a spare 'chuk than this right here. The so-called Beancat is nothing more than a motorized beanbag chair that takes direction from a wired Nunchuk, and while we can't exactly speak from experience, it certainly looks thrilling from afar. Have a glance yourself just past the break, and tap the read link if you're eager to see how it all came together.

[Via MAKE]

Continue reading Video: Wii Nunchuk controls motorized Beancat chair

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Video: Wii Nunchuk controls motorized Beancat chair originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beanbagbeancatchairhackhacksmaker fairemaker faire 2009MakerFaireMakerFaire2009modmodsnintendonunchukremote controlremote controlledRemoteControlRemoteControlledvideowiiwii nunchukwiimoteWiiNunchukSun, 07 Jun 2009 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: surviving Pleo loses remaining autonomy, gets controlled by Wii Nunchuk]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/video-surviving-pleo-loses-remaining-autonomy-gets-controlled/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/video-surviving-pleo-loses-remaining-autonomy-gets-controlled/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/video-surviving-pleo-loses-remaining-autonomy-gets-controlled/#comments Aw, how timely. Shortly after the Pleo lineage fell victim to economic pressures, an all-too-cute video has surfaced showing a remaining creature being controlled by a Wii Nunchuk. In reality, the underlying abuse here is quite sad -- for those unaware, Pleo was designed to be entirely autonomous, and the first step to regaining control over it is to implement a "Pleo Stunner" in order to shock him into silence. From there, an XBee-based solution is used to tap into his control system and override every single instinct the poor sap ever had. If you're into this type of sadistic torture (or you're just an aspiring dictator), check the read link for all the instructions you need to fulfill your own evil desires. For those just interested in a good chuckle, the vid's after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Video: surviving Pleo loses remaining autonomy, gets controlled by Wii Nunchuk

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Video: surviving Pleo loses remaining autonomy, gets controlled by Wii Nunchuk originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 08:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altoidsdiyhackhacksmodmodsnunchucknunchukpleoremote controlRemoteControlrfugobevideowiiwiimotewirelessxbeeSat, 25 Apr 2009 08:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: WiiNxtBalance tools around, doesn't fall down]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/video-wiinxtbalance-tools-around-doesnt-fall-down/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/video-wiinxtbalance-tools-around-doesnt-fall-down/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/video-wiinxtbalance-tools-around-doesnt-fall-down/#comments
This little bot-- the NXTway-GS -- is a self-balancer, and he's pretty cute, to boot. Thanks to some clever modifications, he's now controllable via Wiimote. Using the LEGO NXT system, and some custom firmware, the little dude is connected to a computer via Bluetooth. The video of the robot in action is after the break -- but if you want to see full instructions for making one of your very own -- hit the read link. And may we suggest you slap a powdered colonial wig on yours?

[Via Hack A Day]

Continue reading Video: WiiNxtBalance tools around, doesn't fall down

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Video: WiiNxtBalance tools around, doesn't fall down originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epokhhackhackslego nxtLegoNxtmodmoddedmodsnintendorobotself-balancingwiiwiimoteThu, 23 Apr 2009 06:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Wiimote modded with terrifically minor results]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/04/wiimote-modded-with-terrifically-minor-results/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/04/wiimote-modded-with-terrifically-minor-results/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/04/wiimote-modded-with-terrifically-minor-results/#comments

Remember DHRECK, the modder who modded a Wiimote by covering it in hemp and calling it a day? Well, he's back, and this time he's made one that's slightly smaller than the original. That's right: not totally teeny, or miniaturized (it's not lethal, either) -- just somewhat smaller than an actual, unmodified 'mote. He's made some other minor cosmetic changes to it as well, and the results are attractive. Check the gallery of fantastic photos after the break.

[Thanks, John]

Gallery: Dhreck Wiimote Mod

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Wiimote modded with terrifically minor results originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dhreckdiyhacksmodmodificationmodsnintendowiiwiimoteWed, 04 Feb 2009 10:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Left 4 Dead PC Wiimote hack for the gamer who has it all, hates zombies]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/21/left-4-dead-pc-wiimote-hack-for-the-gamer-who-has-it-all-hates/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/21/left-4-dead-pc-wiimote-hack-for-the-gamer-who-has-it-all-hates/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/21/left-4-dead-pc-wiimote-hack-for-the-gamer-who-has-it-all-hates/#comments
Sometimes inspiration hits when you're shooting zombies -- and often times, that inspiration is in the form of new, better ways to shoot zombies. Since this sort of thing (shooting zombies) is one of our passions here, we were pretty psyched when we ran across this video. Summoning all of his worldly resources -- including GlovePIE, PPJoy, and about a gazillion lines of code -- this guy is able to rock Left 4 Dead PC in split-screen mode with two Wiimotes. He's even added shake controls for reloading and spinning 180 degrees. The only catch? As it stands, the only way to power the sensor bar is by turning on the Wii -- a condition that should be remedied shortly. Hit the read link for instructions and code, and be sure to check out the video after the break.

[Via Nowhere Else]

Continue reading Left 4 Dead PC Wiimote hack for the gamer who has it all, hates zombies

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Left 4 Dead PC Wiimote hack for the gamer who has it all, hates zombies originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>glovepiehackhacksleft 4 deadLeft4Deadmodmodsnintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiippjoysensorbarwiiwiimotewiimote hackWiimoteHackWed, 21 Jan 2009 10:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Wiimote + pens + coffee cup + office putting toy = deadly coil gun turret]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/15/wiimote-pens-coffee-cup-office-putting-toy-deadly-coil-g/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/15/wiimote-pens-coffee-cup-office-putting-toy-deadly-coil-g/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/15/wiimote-pens-coffee-cup-office-putting-toy-deadly-coil-g/#commentsWiimote + pens + coffee cup + office putting toy = deadly coil gun turret Inside a mild-mannered toy golf cup, the kind that pop the ball back at you when you sink a putt (and make you go walk for it when you miss), lurks a lethal weapon -- a tiny rail gun just waiting to serve. Modder Jay took one of those induction coils to build himself a small but fierce turret, also using a little inspiration from the Serv O'Beer, an ioBridge module, two ballpoint pens, two wooden spoons, a coffee mug, and -- the pièce de résistance -- a Wiimote liberated from someone's console. By twisting the controller left or right the weapon rotates accordingly, honing in on threatening textbooks and launching a screwdriver bit with deadly force. Alas, you can't fire the turret by pressing a button on the controller, but that's said to be entirely for safety reasons -- we wouldn't want some poor kid trying to play a little My Horse & Me and accidentally shooting themselves in the back.

Update: Jay commented to let us know that he's posted the source, meaning making your lethal weapon is that much easier -- and open!

[Via Make]

Continue reading Wiimote + pens + coffee cup + office putting toy = deadly coil gun turret

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Wiimote + pens + coffee cup + office putting toy = deadly coil gun turret originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coil gunCoilGunhackhacksioBridgemakemodmodsvideowiiwiimoteThu, 15 Jan 2009 08:48:00 EST<![CDATA[WeeP5 makes other Wiimote gun mods cry home to their mamas]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/27/weep5-makes-other-wiimote-gun-mods-cry-home-to-their-mamas/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/27/weep5-makes-other-wiimote-gun-mods-cry-home-to-their-mamas/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/27/weep5-makes-other-wiimote-gun-mods-cry-home-to-their-mamas/#comments If your Wiimote-gun hybrid lacks a little bit of that "I would shut down an airport having this in my carry-on luggage" panache, we suggest you check out WeeP5, a toy MP5 chock-full of motion control. To be honest, we're most enamored by the setup of the above picture, as the modded armament rests lovingly over the heads of a young couple, against a picture of men in togas, and just under a VHS copy of The Lost World in German -- it's just so beautiful. In case you're wondering: B button is the trigger, A button is under the foregrip, 1 and 2 are on opposite sides near the front, the D-pad and Wii remote are jutting out of the left side, and the +, -, and home buttons are on the top just above the ammo clip. Hit up the read link for full DIY instructions.

[Via Hack a Day]

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WeeP5 makes other Wiimote gun mods cry home to their mamas originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gungunshackhacksmodmodsmp5wii motewii remoteWiiMoteWiiRemoteSat, 27 Dec 2008 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[A Wiimote wrapped in hemp: high-times indeed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/a-wiimote-wrapped-in-hemp-high-times-indeed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/a-wiimote-wrapped-in-hemp-high-times-indeed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/a-wiimote-wrapped-in-hemp-high-times-indeed/#comments
What you're looking at is an actual Wiimote and nunchuk wrapped in high-grade hemp. Modder DHRECK wanted to recontextualize Nintendo's controller by turning the sterile, white plastic into something much more natural. In his words, "In stark contrast with the original Wii-mote set, what was once sleek, cold, white and hard plastic has now become a slightly fuzzy, natural, warm and textured concoction." We know what you're thinking -- and the answer appears to be no. If you want to get high while gaming, you're still going to have to pause. Take a few more looks after the break.

Continue reading A Wiimote wrapped in hemp: high-times indeed

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A Wiimote wrapped in hemp: high-times indeed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dhreckhempmodmoddernintendowiiwiimoteThu, 11 Dec 2008 15:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Wiimote repurposed into theremin, Vincent Price's ghost perks up]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/wiimote-repurposed-into-theremin-vincent-prices-ghost-perks-up/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/wiimote-repurposed-into-theremin-vincent-prices-ghost-perks-up/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/wiimote-repurposed-into-theremin-vincent-prices-ghost-perks-up/#comments
Both practical and not-so-practical applications for the Wiimote have been around since Nintendo's console launched, but this latest hack is quite possibly the oddest thus far. Ken Moore, tinkerer extraordinaire, has inexplicably converted the controller into a new-fangled theremin. By coupling IR-infused gloves with a JV-1080 synth and the Wiimote's built-in Bluetooth, he's been able get his PC to recognize the left hand position as volume, and the right hand position as pitch. Once the IR camera in the Wiimote sends the positioning info back to the PC, MIDI sends it to the synthesizer to create sound. Now, you could just pick up a copy of Guitar Hero or Rock Band if you wanted to casually riff on some classics, but if you've got an intrinsic urge to perform a rendition of the original Star Trek theme, this might be your speed. Peep the setup in video action after the break.

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading Wiimote repurposed into theremin, Vincent Price's ghost perks up

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Wiimote repurposed into theremin, Vincent Price's ghost perks up originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The folks at Acid Mods refuse to leave their Wiimotes alone. We thought the rapid fire switch was useful (if bloodthirsty) enough, but the trackball has a certain retro charm that all too often gets lost in these days of high body counts. This time they've modded in a trackball, which functions as D-pad and A button -- placing them both under your thumb at the same time -- for easier game play and convenient web browsing. Installation requires some soldering and sanding, and of course you'll have to crack the controller open (pretty typical for a mod of this type). An order page and instructions for adding the trackball to other various controllers (including PSP, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360 and PS3) should be available in the not too distant future -- in the meantime, we've provided a dynamic action video of the trackball after the break.

[Thanks, Mark]

Continue reading Wiimote trackball mod probably won't improve your Golden Tee score

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Wiimote trackball mod probably won't improve your Golden Tee score originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Call it Nintendo Darwinism: the evolution of the Wiimote over time due to survival pressures (or the simple desire to kick increasing amounts of undead ass). As a further example of the phenomenon, AcidMods' Wii RapidFire kit adds full-auto functionality to either your A or B button, courtesy of a solitary chip and some pretty straightforward soldering. To sweeten the deal, they've added an on / off switch, and the old A button lights up to let you know when you're in business. For some enticing photos and ordering info hit that read link, and be sure to check out some red hot video of the device in action after the break.

[Thanks, Mark]

Continue reading Wiimote RapidFire mod makes it easier to act on your pixel-based bloodlust

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Wiimote RapidFire mod makes it easier to act on your pixel-based bloodlust originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Whatever the DS can do, Wii can do better, right? Apparently Dave agrees with said mantra, as he has converted a Wii Guitar Hero axe into a full-fledged MIDI controller. As in, there's a 5-pin jack down there and everything. In its current state, you can play two octaves of an eight note scale at time, alter the keys / octaves, change tonal modes, use the whammy bar to bend the pitch and blow the minds of electrical engineering buds you still see on a regular basis. Granted, this mod isn't exactly for the faint of heart, but feel free to hit the read link if you're hacker enough to handle it.

[Via MAKE]

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Wii Guitar Hero axe transformed into MIDI controller originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 May 2008 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've seen some pretty wild Wiimote mods in our day, but this control rig for the Xbox 360 definitely springs into the upper echelons of Wii-hackdom. This particular DIY effort involves a rather varied list of components, including a Wiimote and Nunchuk (obviously), an Xbox 360, a PC (in this case the Samsung Q1), a MagicBox XFPS, custom drivers, and a "black box" consisting of a hard coded microcontroller and spliced PS2 cable. Just a few things to get the job done. And the end result? A fully compatible, reticule-smoothing, Halo 2-ready Wii control system for your Microsoft gaming rig. Don't believe the hype? Hit the video after the break to see what it's all about.

[Thanks, Francis]

Continue reading DIY'er puts the Wiimote on your Xbox 360

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DIY'er puts the Wiimote on your Xbox 360 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking to collect a little acceleration / braking data on the cheap? Even if you're just scouting alternative uses for that oh-so-handy Wiimote, a recent project from klee just may suit your fancy. A proud owner of a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta managed to rig up a Wiimote-based tracking system that gathered information on g-forces, acceleration, turning, and overall speed, and thanks to a little Excel computation, the results are neatly graphed once the outing concludes. Of course, you may need a little help in the script writing department, by judging by the looks of things, most everything you need is awaiting you in the read link -- you know, except your own Wiimote and a Vee-Dub.

[Thanks, Matt]

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Car modder repurposes Wiimote as accelerometer originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While we continue to wait for Nintendo to go official with its "Zapper Style" shell for the Wiimote, enterprising hackers have some Far Cry Vengeance to smack down, and AcidMod's "cyberpyrot" is doing it old school. The hack is about as simple as they come, he merely rewired the Wiimote's IR sensor to the front of his NES Zapper, and hooked up the trigger to the Wiimote's trigger button. He plans to strap the Wiimote to his wrist, for easy access weapon changes, and while the mod is lacking in elegance, cyberpyrot claims his FPS performance has "vastly improved." Alright Nintendo, your turn. Video is after the break.

Continue reading Wii IR sensor finds new home in NES Zapper

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Wii IR sensor finds new home in NES Zapper originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hackmodnes zapperNesZappernintendowiiwiimotezapperMon, 25 Jun 2007 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Wiimote used to control robotic arm]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/15/wiimote-used-to-control-robotic-arm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/15/wiimote-used-to-control-robotic-arm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/15/wiimote-used-to-control-robotic-arm/#commentsIf you got all your information about the Wii from its very own Engadget tag, then you'd probably think that it doesn't play games, such are the number of tasks that inventive users have coaxed the Wiimote into carrying out. That combination of an IR sensor and accelerometer has churned out the likes of beat machines and an array of crappy plastic accessories, but now someone has put the Wiimote up to the task that we'd all been willing it: the control of a robotic arm. A student group project in a Mechatronics class at the University of Michigan produced the Wii-bot arm, which apparently "features direct end effector control using the accelerometers, D-Pad, and a 50 LED sensor bar, unlike the other popular Wiimote Robot Arm (the one with the sword) which was controlled using pattern matching". Ya hear that? The Wii-bots are already preparing for war. Peep the embedded video after the break, in all its whirring and buzzing glory.

[Thanks, Dan W]

Continue reading Wiimote used to control robotic arm

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Wiimote used to control robotic arm originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Apr 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HackModNintendoWiiWiimoteSun, 15 Apr 2007 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[In love with LEDs? Mod your Wii Nunchuk.]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/16/in-love-with-leds-mod-your-wii-nunchuk/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/16/in-love-with-leds-mod-your-wii-nunchuk/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/16/in-love-with-leds-mod-your-wii-nunchuk/#commentsThere's really no reason you shouldn't have a little blue LED symmetry going on between your Wiimote and Nunchuk, so WiiCade's whipped up a quick (albeit not necessarily so easy) lighting mod to make that extra controller light up like a firefly. Sounds like it shouldn't take too long (and why would it?), and hey, if you screw up at least you only ruined a $20 add-on.

[Via Wii Fanboy]

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In love with LEDs? Mod your Wii Nunchuk. originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 01:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hackledmodnintendonunchukwiiwiimoteFri, 16 Mar 2007 01:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Wiimote meets enterprise, unproductivity ensues]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/26/wiimote-meets-enterprise-unproductivity-ensues/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/26/wiimote-meets-enterprise-unproductivity-ensues/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/26/wiimote-meets-enterprise-unproductivity-ensues/#commentsOh the suits, how we love 'em. Spreadsheets, meetings, PowerPoint -- doesn't get much more exciting than that. Or does it? A few enterprise types at Colgate-Palmolive gathered after-hours and managed to get a Wiimote up and running with a custom Ruby on Rails / Script.aculo.us / database-thingy, allowing for much more immersive data manipulation. Unfortunately, all that's really going on is the Wiimote is interfacing with the computer as a substitute mouse, pushing around some oversized buttons. Not quite the beautiful melding of gaming and office work we had envisioned, but we congratulate these guys for trying -- now back to work, we need new cover sheets on those TPS reports!

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Wiimote meets enterprise, unproductivity ensues originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So, you're a man's man, and while you might very well enjoy a game of Wii Tennis now and then, or launching a plunger or three at those dagnab Rabbids, you're getting tired of looking like a spazmo kid while you're at it. We're not sure about the spazmo part, but it won't be hard for people to take you seriously when you start waving this Wiimote gun mod thing around. Due to the limitations of machine translation, we're not too sure on the details of this hack, other than the fact that the trigger has been indeed wired to the Wiimote's B button, and that the original gun is an alarmingly realistic BB number that most likely would not be legal in the States without some sort of orange paintjob, and even then, we don't really recommend doing anything stupid with your own version of this -- don't even try and deny it, we bet you're already ordering up the materials -- 'cause Jack Bauer might just have to take you down.

[Thanks, Suzuki]

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Wiimote gun mod -- pop a cap in your Wii originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Feb 2007 12:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chalk another one up for "interesting things to do with your Wiimote that most assuredly void the warranty." Leet hax0r "sir crx" of the MaxConsole Forums just got LED happy in his Wiimote, but unlike lame-o attempts by his predecessors, crx did his one up right, with a different LED color for each controller "port." The blue, red, green and yellow colors denote players 1-4 and make for quite the show -- in a complete Wii fanboy sort of way, naturally.

[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]

Read - Wii Controller Mod
Read - (The not entirely as neat) LED Wiimote Mod

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Look at the pretty lights: Wiimote modded up purty originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 04:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hackmodwiiwiimoteWed, 17 Jan 2007 04:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's Wii gets into the home automation game]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/25/nintendos-wii-gets-into-the-home-automation-game/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/25/nintendos-wii-gets-into-the-home-automation-game/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/25/nintendos-wii-gets-into-the-home-automation-game/#commentsFor those of you who've just unboxed (or already snagged) a Nintendo Wii, and are more interested in casing out the innards or hacking it up, we've got yet another challenge for you and your console. While we've seen how to control the functions of your home with a PSP, there's just something special about flinging your Wiimote up and down to lower and raise the lighting conditions around your crib. Aside from a Wii, Wiimote, and a good bit of spare time, you'll also need the Smarthome Insteon lights w/ ControlLinc, an Aurora Multimedia WACI NX, a Linux-based PC, and if you wish, an optional AXIS PTZ IP Security Camera and Proliphix IP Thermostat. Once you've got your hardware in order, you'll need to get your palms on a PHP script that directs the IP traffic and forwards the appropriate information. This home automation mod has the potential to control "lights, thermostat, cameras, jukeboxes, DVRs, TiVos," and basically anything you can dictate via IP information. So if you're looking for a great way to spend your hours off, and don't mind getting dirty with a little coding, be sure to hit the read link for the full rundown, and click on through for a YouTube demonstration.

[Via Digg, thanks Nate]

Continue reading Nintendo's Wii gets into the home automation game

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Nintendo's Wii gets into the home automation game originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Dec 2006 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automationcontrolcontrollerdatabasediyhackhome automationHomeAutomationirlightinglinuxliquidicemodmysqlnintendophpscriptsvidvideowiiwiimoteMon, 25 Dec 2006 19:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Power Glove mod merges with Wiimote]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/10/power-glove-mod-merges-with-wii-mote/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/10/power-glove-mod-merges-with-wii-mote/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/10/power-glove-mod-merges-with-wii-mote/#commentsFor all of those people out there who didn't manage to grab a Wii at launch -- and probably won't be able to until next year -- there comes a moderate form of compensation in seeing what crazy Wii-themed mods people who did have come up with. The latest to pop up is one that retro-loving Nintendo fans will surely appreciate: a fully functional Wiimote Power Glove, complete with working finger buttons. The burst of nostalgia at seeing the Wii-glove in action is definitely enough to last us until the next Wii shipment, although we can't quite shake the nagging concern that this guy must have spent a whole lot of time not playing his Wii in order to create it.

[Via Slashgear]

Continue reading Power Glove mod merges with Wiimote

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Power Glove mod merges with Wiimote originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Dec 2006 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HackModNostalgiaPower GlovePowerGloveRetroWiiwiimoteSun, 10 Dec 2006 11:06:00 EST<![CDATA[DarwiinRemote lets Wiimote control your Mac]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/06/darwiinremote-lets-wiimote-control-your-mac/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/06/darwiinremote-lets-wiimote-control-your-mac/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/06/darwiinremote-lets-wiimote-control-your-mac/#comments
We've seen the Wiimote do its fair share of damage during its short, spunky lifespan, but the serious crowd has done its part in hacking up the Wii as well. Aside from sensor bar, um, mods, and tricky wrist strap fixes, a few engineering minds have even found the Wiimote (somewhat) useful on a PC. Per usual, the endearing Mac crowd is up to the challenge as well, as Hiroaki has unveiled an admittedly "unstable" piece of OS X-friendly software to allow Nintendo's Wiimote to mimic the Apple Remote. While the possibilities for a more fleshed-out version are certainly obvious, the current build sports a full key map to help you push aside that delayed Apple Remote purchase, and reportedly allows you to mouse around a bit (albeit shakily). While the exact details are a bit scant at this point, the DarwiinRemote will purportedly work with IR-equipped Macs, as well as ones with Bluetooth, so be sure and hit the read link to get your download on.

[Via TUAW]

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DarwiinRemote lets Wiimote control your Mac originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Dec 2006 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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