Nintendo, a leading developer of video game consoles and software, unveiled at the E3 Media & Business summit its new accessory that improves precision of Wiimote motion sensitive game controller that comes with Nintendo Wii system. The new accessory called Wii MotionPlus will enable more immersive gaming experience as well as improved video games.
The Wii MotionPlus is plugged to the bottom of Wiimote controller and, combined with the accelerometer and the sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player’s arm position and orientation. For example, in the new Wii Sports Resort game from Nintendo, which is due in early 2009, the ability to throw a disc through the air and control the angle of flight is now possible. The controller is based on IDG-600 multi-axis MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) rate gyroscope by InvenSense company, a specialist in motion sensing solutions for various applications.
MEMS offers miniaturized sensing solutions to meet the ideal performance, size and cost requirements of consumer applications. A key advantage of MEMS technology, as compared to its quartz and piezo-ceramic counterparts, is its ability to incorporate 3D mechanical features directly into single crystal silicon substrates while easily and cost effectively integrating it with CMOS electronics. InvenSense pioneered its patented manufacturing platform, known as Nasiri-Fabrication, which enabled the company to bring the world’s first and smallest integrated multi-axis gyroscopes to consumer products. Using Nasiri-Fabrication allows for the integration of MEMS and CMOS structures at the wafer level with a proprietary bonding technology resulting in several thousand gyroscopes simultaneously produced on a single wafer.
“The popularity of Wii in large part is based on its popular motion sensing interface and InvenSense’s MEMS rate gyroscope represents a truly disruptive technology that possesses inherent manufacturing and high performance advantages that drives the need for a new generation of Wii Remote. Nintendo selected the IDG-600 for its ability to measure large dynamic motions, high shock resistance, and accuracy for sensing the fast moving arm and hand motions required to support exciting new game titles,” said Genyo Takeda, general manager of Nintendo’s integrated research and development division.
Wii MotionPlus along with new Wii Remote jacket will be bundled with new Wii Sports Resort video game in spring 2009. The title will include new game experiences such as Sword Play, Power Cruising on a water scooter and Disc Dog. Price of the title is unknown, though, it is highly likely that it’s cost will be inline with that of Wii Play.
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