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Using Hacked Wiimotes As Scientific Sensors

Posted by samzenpus on from the graduated-joystick dept.

garg0yle writes "Scientists are repurposing Wiimotes as scientific sensors to help measure wind speed or evaporation from lakes, among other things. At about $40 per unit, the controller is much cheaper than specialized sensors. The scientists are still considering how to add storage and extend the battery life."

5 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. Oh Science. by Interoperable · · Score: 4, Insightful

    “There are probably better ways to measure wind, but it was a day well-spent,” Hut said. “I really felt the need to solder something.”

    A day well-spent indeed! There's nothing like spending a day to save a few dollars by not having to buy a specialized sensor. Sounds like my Master's research; why buy good equipment when grad students can spend ages building a poor imitation of it? Still, those days are usually the most fun part of "science" and certainly afford excellent learning opportunities.

    --
    So if this is the future...where's my jet pack?
  2. It's not about how much it costs to make by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...this equipment can run $500 or more...

    The scientific equipment is more expensive because laboratories are willing to pay more, and have the money. Gamers aren't willing to pay $500 for a controller.

    Look here: Digikey has 18000 pressure sensors available. I picked one at random, and it can measure pressure up to 115 psi, which is about 60 meters deep in water. It only costs $12. I could make you the serial port/USB interface for like 20 bucks.

    Scientists only pay that much because they are willing to pay that much.

    1. Re:It's not about how much it costs to make by Psaakyrn · · Score: 5, Insightful

      However, you're underestimating the cost of time. Mass production decreases both the cost and time of making a specific product (or combination of products).

    2. Re:It's not about how much it costs to make by hairykrishna · · Score: 3, Insightful

      So the accelerometer set up you propose would cost about the same as the wiimote only they'd have to build it from scratch and write some software for it? Plus, why would you want to process the data on board? You're not doing anything with it immediately. I see your point about the camera though. What res are wiimote cameras?

      --
      "Physics is to math as sex is to masturbation." -R. Feynman
  3. Re:"scientists" by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 3, Insightful

    While you can get a fair amount of science kit off the shelves these days, "science" has always involved a good bit of engineering, if you want your experiments to actually happen.

    Sometimes there is an explicit division of labor, sometimes the same person performs both functions.