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NWR Interactive => TalkBack => Topic started by: NWR_pap64 on August 11, 2009, 09:50:33 PM

Title: Hackers Modify the Wii Remote in the Name of the Disabled
Post by: NWR_pap64 on August 11, 2009, 09:50:33 PM

Both the Wii Remote and the Balance Board have been hacked to benefit the disabled.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=19788

 Students at the University of Delaware have hacked the Wii Remote and Balance Board so that the disabled can navigate software.    

The project is called WiiAssist, and consists of adapting the Wii Remote's infrared sensors so it can be attached to someone's head and control like a mouse in a computer software application. The Balance Board is also modified to control the mouse in a computer.    

The students behind this project - Rob Rehrig, Josh Marks, and Larry Aiello - aim to make computers more accessible for the disabled. WiiAssist was one of the projects showcased at Defcon, a hacking conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Title: Re: Hackers Modify the Wii Remote in the Name of the Disabled
Post by: BwrJim! on August 11, 2009, 08:57:21 PM

Schweeeeeeeeeet...  Now thats a mod I like!

nice find pap!

Title: Re: Hackers Modify the Wii Remote in the Name of the Disabled
Post by: BeautifulShy on August 11, 2009, 09:03:54 PM

Man there has been lots of uses for the Wiimote before but this is the first I have heard the Balance board having different applications. Very nice!!

Title: Re: Hackers Modify the Wii Remote in the Name of the Disabled
Post by: Mop it up on August 11, 2009, 10:17:05 PM

Interesting... but isn't this illegal?

Title: Re: Hackers Modify the Wii Remote in the Name of the Disabled
Post by: BwrJim! on August 11, 2009, 10:20:48 PM

nope

Title: Re: Hackers Modify the Wii Remote in the Name of the Disabled
Post by: NWR_pap64 on August 11, 2009, 10:27:34 PM

Quote from: Mop_it_up on August 11, 2009, 10:17:05 PM

Interesting... but isn't this illegal?

It would be illegal if they were trying to sell the design, but this seems to be more like an experiment of ideas rather than an actual product.

Title: Re: Hackers Modify the Wii Remote in the Name of the Disabled
Post by: Deguello on August 11, 2009, 10:30:05 PM

Would they really be called "Hackers" if they are students?

Title: Re: Hackers Modify the Wii Remote in the Name of the Disabled
Post by: NWR_pap64 on August 11, 2009, 10:33:31 PM

Quote from: Deguello on August 11, 2009, 10:30:05 PM

Would they really be called "Hackers" if they are students?

That's how the original article called them, and this was shown off at the Hacker's convention in Las Vegas. So no idea what to say here.