[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1AJ_OBJUpY]
These 15 ton robotic arms can reach 16 meters. Not content to control them by a simple joystick, the team hacked together WiiMote controls for them. Ok, we get it. Everybody loves the Wii. What is different about using the WiiMote in this scenario? You can see that they are only using the pitch, yaw, and roll. They’re not utilizing the tracking aspects at all. The only difference between the WiiMote and their joystick in this scenario is that the WiiMote connects via bluetooth. Frankly, we just like the fact that people are playing with the robotic arms, WiiMote or not.
I wonder if the guy operating the arm should use the Wiimote’s lanyard – I wouldn’t want him dropping the Wiimote now that it’s controlling the arm.
Does anybody know the cost difference between the wiimote and the controls made for the roboarm? Because I think it would be funny to spend a bunch of money on the controls then see the office make the arms work off of a kids toy…
This is MADE OF WIN
Because the wiimote is wireless, how cool would it be to ride on the robotic arm, AND control it from up there?
“They’re not utilizing the tracking aspects at all.”
Thats still to come ;) this is an expensive peice of machinery, it makes sense to walk before you run
Man, I hope those grapplers never become self-aware.
I agree queeg.
BTW, “April Fools. Queeg never existed. It was me all along.”
I agree with the comments about walking before you run. Not knowing much about the original set of controls this might be way wrong, but I am assuming from the video that they were hardwired in someway so you had to be in the control room. With the wiimote you can be fairly close to whatever you are working on and also change your POV while operating.
Is this going to be the next version of the redneck theme park ride ? (Old one being the industrial robot arm with a chair attached to it)
yea I’m sure that’s what hes paid to do. get to work boy and stop playing with yourself.
Why do I want to see these stalking a member of the Chemical Brothers in a music video?
I love how they are parked on the ground, for safety.
Now, to connect them to GlaDOS (XKCD needs to pick this up for a comic.)
I wonder how much power that thing uses, the arm I mean.
dijum, wouldn’t the motion of the arm play havoc with your controls?
MEGAZORD TIME!!