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[Augmented reality Tetris game uses Kinect hack, Wiimote, smooth jazz (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/21/augmented-reality-tetris-game-uses-kinect-hack-wiimote-smooth/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/21/augmented-reality-tetris-game-uses-kinect-hack-wiimote-smooth/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/21/augmented-reality-tetris-game-uses-kinect-hack-wiimote-smooth/#comments What does it take for a gaming classic to survive in a world ruled by titles like Portal 2 and Homefront? A Kinect hack, a Wiimote, and some electronic elbow grease, apparently. Trinity College student Keysosaurus -- as he's know to his YouTube pals -- has used a bit of C#, XNA, and OpenNI coding to play 3D augmented reality Tetris using Kinect body controls and a Wiimote. The Kinect gestures do most of the work, rotating the board, zooming the camera in and out, and moving the pieces into place, while the Nintendo controller is used to rotate. Video's after the break, but beware, the familiar strains of "Korobeiniki" have been replaced by smooth guitar jazz, so turn the volume up at your own risk.

Continue reading Augmented reality Tetris game uses Kinect hack, Wiimote, smooth jazz (video)

Augmented reality Tetris game uses Kinect hack, Wiimote, smooth jazz (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>araugmented realityAugmentedRealitydiydublinDublin IrelandDublinIrelandhackhackinghacksjazzkinectkinect hackkinect-hacksKinectHackMicrosoftnintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiismooth jazzSmoothJazzTetrisTrinity CollegeTrinityCollegevideoWiiWiimoteWiimoteHackxbox 360Xbox360youtubeThu, 21 Apr 2011 10:07:00 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[Winscape virtual window features Wiimote headtracking, absolutely made of win]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/15/winscape-virtual-window-features-wiimote-headtracking-absolutel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/15/winscape-virtual-window-features-wiimote-headtracking-absolutel/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/15/winscape-virtual-window-features-wiimote-headtracking-absolutel/#comments We have not modified the above picture in any way -- Scout's Honor. That's a real baby, wearing a real IR necklace that interacts with a real Wiimote. What's not real, of course, is the view of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. That is generated by Ryan Hoagland's DIY virtual window, a brilliant pastiche of interior design, RED ONE footage and Johnny Chung Lee-style headtracking, all directed to your eyes by a Mac Pro feeding a pair of plasma screens. As the viewer moves around, dual 1080p images move the opposite direction, providing the convincing illusion of looking out a real pane of glass at the incredibly detailed scenery beyond. Exciting? Then you'll be giggling like Jr. when you hear it's for sale. After spending a year figuring out how to mount, drive and cool the whole shebang, Hoagland would like you to have one too; he plans to have basic kits ready by July for under $3000. Watch baby-powered plasma in motion after the break, as well as a sweet time-lapse video of the build process.

[Thanks, Andy, ArjanD]

Continue reading Winscape virtual window features Wiimote headtracking, absolutely made of win

Winscape virtual window features Wiimote headtracking, absolutely made of win originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DIYdo it yourselfDoItYourselfhackhackshead trackingheadtrackinginfraredIRJohnny Chung LeeJohnnyChungLeeMac ProMacProRED ONERedOneRyan HoaglandRyanHoaglandvideovirtual windowVirtualWindowwii remoteWiimoteWiimote hackwiimote headtrackingWiimoteHackWiimoteHeadtrackingWiiRemoteThu, 15 Apr 2010 15:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Touchable Holography uses Wiimotes to add touch to holograms]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/06/touchable-holography-uses-wiimotes-to-add-sensation-of-touch-to/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/06/touchable-holography-uses-wiimotes-to-add-sensation-of-touch-to/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/06/touchable-holography-uses-wiimotes-to-add-sensation-of-touch-to/#comments Researchers from The University of Tokyo have demoed a touchable hologram at Siggraph 2009. The project, called Touchable Holography, involves the use of Wiimotes placed above the display to track hand motion, and an airborne ultrasound tactile display created in the university's lab to create the sensation of touch. The result is a holographic image that produces tactile feedback without any actual touching, and without degrading the image itself. Check out the video after the break for a fuller, more stunning explanation.

[Thanks, Adam]

Continue reading Touchable Holography uses Wiimotes to add touch to holograms

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Touchable Holography uses Wiimotes to add touch to holograms originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hologramsholographicholographssiggraphsiggraph 2009Siggraph2009tactiletactile feedbacktactile hologramsTactileFeedbackTactileHologramstouchabletouchable holographyTouchableHolographyuniversity of tokyoUniversityOfTokyowiimotewiimote hackWiimoteHackThu, 06 Aug 2009 11:36:00 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.

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Real Virtual Skater is a controller mod that sees a Wiimote liberated from its case and placed inside a box strapped to the underside of a skateboard. Thanks to The Bluetooth, as the player gleams "the cube" (or his "living room", as the case may be) all his movements are used to control his avatar in the magical world of Tony Hawk Pro Skater. Just the thing for a kid that already has the board, the Vans, the Jams, a Lance Mountain t-shirt, and a JFA cassette -- but no real desire to leave his parent's basement. Technical details are few, but we do have a chest-pounding video of the thing in action after the break.


[Via Feng Gui]
[Thanks, Pegasus Unicorn]

Continue reading Wiimote and skateboard hacked into a controller, Gator not impressed

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Wiimote and skateboard hacked into a controller, Gator not impressed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothhackReal Virtual SkaterRealVirtualSkaterskate boardskate boardsSkateBoardSkateBoardstony hawkTony Hawk Pro SkaterTonyHawkTonyHawkProSkaterwiimotewiimote hackWiimoteHackTue, 20 Jan 2009 01:01:00 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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiohackKen MooreKenMooremodmusicthereminwiiwiimotewiimotehackMon, 01 Dec 2008 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Wiimote used to control robotic arm, effectively this time]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/wiimote-used-to-control-robotic-arm-effectively-this-time/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/wiimote-used-to-control-robotic-arm-effectively-this-time/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/wiimote-used-to-control-robotic-arm-effectively-this-time/#comments
Sure, it's been done before, but that doesn't make the idea of a robotic arm controlled by a Wiimote any less exciting, especially when the arm is actually responsive. That feat is aided considerably by the fact that this latest setup was developed by an engineer from National Instruments, who made use of some of the company's LabVIEW hardware and a specially-designed Bluetooth adapter to control the arm at the flick of a wrist (or using the Wiimote's buttons). Check it out in action in the video after the break -- don't worry, no one gets hurt.

Continue reading Wiimote used to control robotic arm, effectively this time

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Wiimote used to control robotic arm, effectively this time originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 May 2008 18:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>robot armRobotArmrobotic armRoboticArmwii remotewiimotewiimote hackWiimoteHackWiiRemoteWed, 21 May 2008 18:47:00 EST<![CDATA[DIY head-tracker takes Wiimote hacking to dizzying new heights]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/21/diy-head-tracker-takes-wiimote-hacking-to-dizzying-new-heights/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/21/diy-head-tracker-takes-wiimote-hacking-to-dizzying-new-heights/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/21/diy-head-tracker-takes-wiimote-hacking-to-dizzying-new-heights/#comments
DIY virtuoso Johnny Chung Lee has already more than proven himself with his Wiimote whiteboard and finger-tracking hacks (to say nothing of the famous $14 steadycam), but he now looks to have vaulted himself into a whole new league with his latest project, which uses a Wiimote for a full-on VR head-tracking system. As with his other recent hacks, the Wiimote and a sensor bar substitute swap their usual positions, with a pair of IR-equipped safety glasses stylishly getting the job done in this case. Toss in some custom-made software (available at the link below) and you've got a setup that's sure to make anyone's jaw drop. Whatever you do, be sure to hit up the video after the break (and watch 'till the end), as the image above certainly doesn't do it justice.

[Via Hack a Day]

Continue reading DIY head-tracker takes Wiimote hacking to dizzying new heights

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DIY head-tracker takes Wiimote hacking to dizzying new heights originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While certainly there's been no shortage of Wiimote hacks, the number of genuinely useful ones has been considerably more limited. It looks like you can now add one more to that list, however, as Johnny Chung Lee (he of the Wiimote finger-tracking hack) has now upped the usefulness even further with a makeshift multi-point interactive whiteboard. There's a bit more involved with this one than just a Wiimote, however -- namely, an IR-emitting pen (or two), which the Wiimote tracks while relaying all the necessary information back to a PC. That, as the video after the break shows, allows you to turn any surface into a multi-point whiteboard with the use of a projector, or turn any LCD screen into a touchscreen, of sorts. Best of all, Johnny has kindly provided the necessary software free of charge, so hit up the read link below if you want to give it a shot.

[Via Hack a Day]

Continue reading Wiimote repurposed for multi-point interactive whiteboard

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Wiimote repurposed for multi-point interactive whiteboard originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>interactive whiteboardInteractiveWhiteboardwhiteboardwii remotewiimotewiimote hackWiimoteHackWiiRemoteMon, 10 Dec 2007 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[The Wiimote drum machine]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/07/the-wiimote-drum-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/07/the-wiimote-drum-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/07/the-wiimote-drum-machine/#commentsWe're not going to cover every Wiimote hack that comes down the pipe (especially given the rate they now seem to be flooding in), but this one's just too good to pass up. Building on earlier Wiimote developments, Bob Somers took up the less practical but equally daunting task of turning the humble Wiimote into a one-handed air drumming machine. As the video after break clearly shows, Bob was not only successful, but able to bust out a decent tune as well, complete with 80's-style electronic drum sounds. What's not so clear, however, is whether you can use two Wiimotes for some full-on drumming action, though it would seem to be within the realm of possibility (assuming you can get your hands on second one). While Bob has made the necessary software freely available for download, it seems that (as of this writing) his site has been temporarily shut down by his hosting provider in the face of the barrage of Phil Collins wannabes. In the meantime, it looks like you're only options are to keep checking in or hope that a mirror pops up.

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading The Wiimote drum machine

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The Wiimote drum machine originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Dec 2006 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>wiiwii remotewiimotewiimote hackWiimoteHackWiiRemoteThu, 07 Dec 2006 19:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Wiimote mouse control gets sensor bar boost]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/07/wiimote-mouse-control-gets-sensor-bar-boost/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/07/wiimote-mouse-control-gets-sensor-bar-boost/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/07/wiimote-mouse-control-gets-sensor-bar-boost/#comments At the rate all this Wiimote hacking is going, it looks like Nintendo's soon going to have more than just Wii users to contend with in its attempts to keep the darn things in stock, with this latest development sure to attract more than few curious PC users. The big advance here is support for the Wii's sensor bar (or candles, we suppose), which'll give you far greater control than previous Wiimote-only hacks have allowed, actually making it a decent alternative to a mouse for some tasks. Still skeptical? Check out the vid after the break and judge for yourself.

[Via The Edge of I-Hacked, thanks Felix T]

Continue reading Wiimote mouse control gets sensor bar boost

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Wiimote mouse control gets sensor bar boost originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>sensor backSensorBackwiiwii hackingWiiHackingwiimotewiimote hackWiimoteHackThu, 07 Dec 2006 12:16:00 EST