Wii Balance Board Gives $18,000 Medical Device a Run For Its Money

Gizmodo highlights a very cool repurposing effort for the Wii's Balance Board accessory. Rather than the specialized force platforms used to quantify patients' ability to balance after a trauma like stroke, doctors at the University of Melbourne thought that a Balance Board might serve as well. Says the article: "When doctors disassembled the board, they found the accelerometers and strain gauges to be of 'excellent' quality. 'I was shocked given the price: it was an extremely impressive strain gauge set-up.'" Games controllers you'd expect to be durable and at least fairly accurate; what's surprising is just how much comparable, purpose-built devices cost. In this case, the Balance Board (just under $100) was compared favorably with a test platform that costs just a shade less than $18,000.

Comments

Re:"Not for ________ use"

[Anonymous Coward]

Hmm? High demand for the wii balance board would have the effect producing a higher price.

Re:No wonder

[feepness]

More likely $5 when manufactured with coolie labor in China.

Would you trust the strength of your bones to something manufacture by coolie labor in China?

Re:"Not for ________ use"

[mgblst]

Your comment is so fucking ignorant, that I hope you are either a 12yo, or have never held a job outside of fast food.

There are many problems with our Health system, agreed, but maybe you should learn the difference between a mass produced item, and one that is not.