Hahn takes gaming to a new level.
January 22, 2009"
Brandon Hahn demonstrating a new technology at the iFairWhoever said that nothing productive came out of playing games clearly never met an IMLP.
Brandon Hahn, a current IMLP with GE Healthcare, used a little imagination at work to combine a few everyday technologies with new software to create something truly inventive and engaging.
Hahn was looking for a better way to present at the iFair, a a science and technology career fair in Milwalkee.
Hoping to circumvent the typical problem of walking back and forth to the computer to switch applications or draw on the screen, the WiiMote SmartBoard was born.
To create this new fusion of technologies, Brandon combined the following items:
- Laptop with Bluetooth Connection
- Projector
- Nintendo Wii Remote (Wiimote)
- Infrared Pen
- Wiimote Whiteboard Software (Open Source)
But how did he find this stuff? Hahn recalled hearing about the software from a former college professor, and found information on the WiiMote Project via a Carnegie Mellon student's website.
According to Hahn, it works because "the Wiimote has an infrared webcam in it, which is capable of tracking up to 4 infrared light sources as any point. When you aim the Wiimote at the screen, it looks for the light from the pen. The four-corner calibration matches the Wiimote’s field of vision to the computer screen as projected by the projector."
If you're looking for whiteboard capabilities without having to set up any software (or if you don't own a Wiimote, check out GE's free whiteboard application at http://imaginationcubed.com/)
Reader Comments (2)
This is really neat stuff. Amazing what a Wii controller, a projector, and some infra-red lights are capable of. Might have to try out some of this myself!
Interesting... as an IMLP alum, love this blog.