Robotic Wii

Game consoles popularity rose back in the 1980s when Nintendo introduce their game console system. I can still remember the day when I got mine. I was but a child then, but the joy and endless hour of pleasure are still with me today.

I evolved quickly as new game systems came out, all the way until Sony PS1, that's where I lost all my gaming abilities, the graphics were complex and required too many maneuvering. It wasn't until last year where I rekindled my passion with the gaming system, this time back in love with Nintendo and its Wii game console system.

The popular game console has taken the nation by storm and have brought interactivity with robotics to a whole new level. So much so, that the military is now incorporating the Wiimote into their tactics as a way to controlled the warfare robots.

David Bruemmer and Douglas Few, from the US Department of Energy centre in Idaho, have adopted a mine-clearing robot to be directed by the Wii controller. The scientists found traditional controllers took up too much of the operator's attention, while the Wii controllers' movement simulate three dimensions and natural human movement using wireless technology.

Sports on a Whole New Level

I been receiving alerts all day about RoboCup 2007. At first I thought it had something to do with a robotic coffee cup until I saw the homepage of Planet Robo telling me otherwise.

The Japanese have taking sports to new height by introducing 1 foot tall robots with full mobility and flexibility allowing them to have full control of the little guys on a table top soccer field. The teams consisting of three robots per team all control by individual humans follow all the standard soccer rules. For a video clip of the live action click here.

I believe this to be a great step in the robotics arena, but I see it as yet another reason to have the teenagers stay home and work out their thumbs instead of their bodies. No wonder this society is heavier than ever. Don't get me wrong, I'm all up for automation and technology, but when it comes to sports and outdoor fun, I prefer to make mine physical. It is the one thing I admired by the latest Nintendo Console, the WII, it truly gets the kids back into becoming more physical while still enjoying the best of technology.