Fun with a Wiimote

Johnny Chung Lee has a fascinating set of simple projects demonstrating the amazing capabilities of the Nintendo Wii controller.

The Wii controller is an infrared video camera capable of tracking up to four light sources. It also has a 3-axis accelerometer. It communicates via BlueTooth. This means any BlueTooth-equipped computer (like a PC or Mac) can use the sensors in the controller. Mr. Lee has videos of three proof-of-concept experiments:

• A multi-touch interface for manipulating an on-screen object by moving your fingers through the air (like in the movie Minority Report).
• An interactive whiteboard application
• A demonstration of head-tracking to produce virtual reality

The demos are incredible. Go visit the link and see for yourself.