Linux Kernel Module For Nintendo Powerglove

antistatickid writes: "I've dusted off some schematics for a simple parallel interface to the nintendo powerglove (circa 1990), and have written a linux kernel module for the device since none of the old code works anymore. I'm hoping to generate some interest in homebrew vr: the gloves are cheap, and can be used for things like controlling midi synthesizers with the wave of your hand (a demo of which I've included on the project page)."

Comments

Bad Old Days

[Anonymous Coward]

I really had a hard time using the Power Glove for its intended purpose. I have an equally hard time believing that this particular piece of hardware will produce a pleasant experience in its new role. Anybody else remember how terrible these things were?

Re:Bad Old Days

[antibryce]

A friend of mine used powergloves as part of a research project in college, and he said if you stripped out the sensors and mounted them on a pair of thin leather gloves they're MUCH more responsive. I dunno how accurate that is, but it would make sense that a huge rubber/plastic glove would affect things a bit.

Applications for lazy people...

[deke_2503]

Use it instead of a mouse, sort of a touchscreen without touch.
Or, make it wireless and use it as a remote for a TV. Imagine waving your hand to change the channel, volume, etc.
Connect it to your stereo in a similar fashion.
Use it to steer the lawnmower around the yard--just move your hand and fingers, while sipping daquiries from a lawnchair.

Think of the possibilities! It's almost like being a jedi!

About the Power Glove

[TheFrood]

Seanbaby has some rather amusing remarks about the Power Glove (and other useless Nintendo peripherals.)

TheFrood

original author/hacker

[ThePurpleBuffalo]

As I recall, the original hack was done by Steve Ciarcia, who was working for Byte Magazine at the time. Now he runs an equally interesting magazine/website Circuit Cellar Inc. (http://www.circuitcellar.com/)

Steve has a number of projects that the average lay-person could do, including a touch screen for computers (used the parallel port). He also has a crapload of funny stories about "one-up'ing" his neighbour in some of his older books.

Beware TPB

Sweet!

[GoRK]

Very cool! I built this hack in like 1993, and it was hard to find a power glove even then. Now, it must be rather impossible.

A tip for hax0rs: The power glove is very SMALL (even the large one). I completely dispensed with the original glove that came with it to make mine. I took the control pad off and put a simple belt clip on it. Next, i extended the hand part and the ultrasonic sounders away from the controller with some 15 conductor cable. Finally, I sewed the finger bend sensors onto the fingers of a golf glove that went on the right hand and had the fingertips cut out (the original power glove is a lefty device.) Anyway, the idea was to get rid of the bulky garbage of the powerglove in order to make a little dataglove that i could still type while wearing.

I still have it here. Heck, I still have the monitor with the velcro on it! I'm very excited to break it out again and fiddle with this.

~GoRK

Force Grip

[user32.ExitWindowsEx]

Oooh. Now I can be just like Darth Vader! I can Force Grip rogue processes!
Someone please port this to Windows so I can Force Grip the whole OS. :p

wonderful..

[DarkHelmet]

Great, so now whenever somebody writes something stupid on slashdot I can mod them down by punching the monitor and giving them the bird.

I can then proceed to mod people up by virtually scratching my balls.

Good slashdot posts inspire thought, and in the words of Maynard James Keenan, "Whenever I get an idea my balls itch."