WiiMedia: motion analysis methods and applications using a consumer video game controller

WiiMedia is a study using the WiiRemote, a new consumer video game controller from Nintendo's, for media art, pedagogical applications, scientific research and innovative unprecedented entertainment systems. Normally, consumer hardwares, like standard controllers of new video game platforms, are closed to public developers. The Nintendo's WiiRemote however can be connected easily to an ordinary PC thanks to a BlueTooth adapter. Thus, public developers can access to the WiiRemote's acceleration and IR sensors via this wireless connection. We think it might enlarge the non-professional game development environment with a new innovative game controller. However, when we tried to develop our projects with the WiiRemote, we encountered many difficulties because the only data that can be captured are basic data and not the full player's motion. Through the WiiMedia project, with the development of few applications, we developed some motion analysis methods using the WiiRemote. This paper describes case studies that include states of the arts and several motion analysis methods.