Revision [456]
Last edited on 2008-12-09 09:33:24 by FritsRinckerAdditions:
Page URL changed to [[http://www.rincker.nl/Swiitboard.html Swiitboard]]
Deletions:
Hello to my Swiitboard page. I created it to explain a little about my project. You can find videos and info on the why and how for anybody that is interested. I put a disclaimer up for nonsense and technical errors, I'm pragmatic ;-)
====How it started====
I wondered about a way to work out, run inside (because its winter here in Holland). I didn't think the Wii balance board would do the trick, as the Wii games where reported not to be very intense, and the board itself is to hard for running on it. So what I was looking for was something that can absorb running effort, measure the effort and perhapse use those measurements to control a virtual environment. It turned out the Wiimote controller was the cheapest way forward.
====The Wiimote====
The Wiimote is a bluetooth device (usually) transmitting several measurements to the Wii console. The data includes 3 axis acceleration, orientation, IR camera data and button input. However, you don't need a Wii to use a bluetooth device. The Wiimote has been paired with PCs and there is a whole selection of game control options using glovepie.
====Bluetooth====
Because the Wiimote has special data on offer you need the newest bluetooth drivers. Vista has the build in. Bluesoleil offers an updat if yours can't capture the accelerometers (test with the software found here).
====The interface====
The way the Wiimote is used is trictly to measure the impact on the ground you run on. It is attached to a strong wooden plank resting on top of polyethylene absorbers/coushions. Check out the video below. I use a softer and a harder type of absorber to allow for smooth acceleration. The movements o the plank have some inertia, and this may reduce the stress on the wiimote a little, although it can probably take a lot more abuse.
""""
====The software I====
I tried several wrappers and libraries for accessing the Wiimote. Not all of them worked well, one would specialize in teh Wiimote IR capabilities and the other on the buttons. In the end I settled for PyWiiuse, which seems to lack IR functions, but has the accelerometry down. Because I couldn't figure out the IR part I had to be creative get what I need only form the accelerometers.
====What do I measure====
As you run on the board the Wiimote moves up and down. This generates gforce and orientation signals all over the place. Not all data is usefull, and it seems there is quite some signal processing going on in the console. After some testing and graphing I found that only using the Roll input gave me all the data I need.
====The steps====
Roll gives a nice readout with every step. You can see it in the Wii Workout video below. The energy expended is in the area below the line graph (see picture). By summing all the readings (thus calculating the area) I measure something I call the 'effort'. It is shown on the right side in green. In white you see time. Notice the Wiimote never realy rolls because it is attachet to the plank.
""""
====The direction====
I get the direction by processing an input called gforce.x . If you hold the Wiimote in your hand it measures something like roll, but only acceleration. The values are positive in both directions. I found it will however go negative or positive dependent on the roll orientation, albeit in a very noisy way. It needs calibration at the start. I used moving window averaging to smooth it out.
""""
====What to do next====
I created several programs to use the Footwii/Swiitboard. The first above simple measures the energy you put into the absorbers/coushions. Using the direction sensing allows for more emmersive applications. Below some movies of my prototype 3d treeworld. If you are a hardcore programmer you may be able to write a glovepie script so you can run though Wold of Warcraft.
""""
In reality
""""
====The software II====
Now you may be interested in the software and setup info. I will send it to you if you donate 10 euro here, it is for my website dedicated to climate change, [[www.climatebabes.com www.climtababes.com]]
""""
====The package====
What I will send you are the Python sources I use (of the workout and the forrest applications). I will include a description of what Python libs I
have installed (on XP). I can't guarantee you will get it to work though..If you donate you will be entitled to updates and any new software (Python based or other) I may make that is not seriously marketed.
Revision [455]
Edited on 2008-12-09 00:20:11 by FritsRinckerAdditions:
""""
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Revision [454]
Edited on 2008-12-09 00:13:15 by FritsRinckerAdditions:
""""
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""""
In reality
""""
""""
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In reality
""""
Revision [453]
Edited on 2008-12-08 23:44:01 by FritsRinckerAdditions:
Hello to my Swiitboard page. I created it to explain a little about my project. You can find videos and info on the why and how for anybody that is interested. I put a disclaimer up for nonsense and technical errors, I'm pragmatic ;-)
Deletions:
Revision [452]
Edited on 2008-12-08 23:00:53 by FritsRinckerAdditions:
have installed (on XP). I can't guarantee you will get it to work though..If you donate you will be entitled to updates and any new software (Python based or other) I may make that is not seriously marketed.
Deletions:
Revision [451]
Edited on 2008-12-08 22:59:51 by FritsRinckerAdditions:
====How it started====
====The Wiimote====
====Bluetooth====
====The interface====
====The software I====
====What do I measure====
====The steps====
====The direction====
====What to do next====
====The software II====
Now you may be interested in the software and setup info. I will send it to you if you donate 10 euro here, it is for my website dedicated to climate change, [[www.climatebabes.com www.climtababes.com]]
====The package====
What I will send you are the Python sources I use (of the workout and the forrest applications). I will include a description of what Python libs I
have installed (on XP). I can't guarantee you will get it to work though..If you donate you will be entitled to updates and any new software (Python based or not) I may make that is not seriously marketed.
====The Wiimote====
====Bluetooth====
====The interface====
====The software I====
====What do I measure====
====The steps====
====The direction====
====What to do next====
====The software II====
Now you may be interested in the software and setup info. I will send it to you if you donate 10 euro here, it is for my website dedicated to climate change, [[www.climatebabes.com www.climtababes.com]]
====The package====
What I will send you are the Python sources I use (of the workout and the forrest applications). I will include a description of what Python libs I
have installed (on XP). I can't guarantee you will get it to work though..If you donate you will be entitled to updates and any new software (Python based or not) I may make that is not seriously marketed.
Deletions:
The Wiimote
Bluetooth
The interface
The software I
What do I measure
The steps
The direction
What to do next
The software II
Nw you may be interested in the software and setup info. I will send it to you if you donate 10 euro here, it is for my website dedicated to climate change, [[www.climatebabes.com www.climtababes.com]]
Revision [450]
Edited on 2008-12-08 22:53:51 by FritsRinckerAdditions:
Nw you may be interested in the software and setup info. I will send it to you if you donate 10 euro here, it is for my website dedicated to climate change, [[www.climatebabes.com www.climtababes.com]]
Deletions:
Revision [449]
Edited on 2008-12-08 22:52:50 by FritsRinckerAdditions:
Nw you may be interested in the software and setup info. I will send it to you if you donate 10 euro here
Deletions:
Revision [448]
Edited on 2008-12-08 22:51:56 by FritsRinckerAdditions:
Deletions:
Revision [447]
Edited on 2008-12-08 22:49:55 by FritsRinckerAdditions:
""""
Deletions:
Revision [446]
Edited on 2008-12-08 22:49:29 by FritsRinckerAdditions:
The way the Wiimote is used is trictly to measure the impact on the ground you run on. It is attached to a strong wooden plank resting on top of polyethylene absorbers/coushions. Check out the video below. I use a softer and a harder type of absorber to allow for smooth acceleration. The movements o the plank have some inertia, and this may reduce the stress on the wiimote a little, although it can probably take a lot more abuse.
The software I
I get the direction by processing an input called gforce.x . If you hold the Wiimote in your hand it measures something like roll, but only acceleration. The values are positive in both directions. I found it will however go negative or positive dependent on the roll orientation, albeit in a very noisy way. It needs calibration at the start. I used moving window averaging to smooth it out.
What to do next
I created several programs to use the Footwii/Swiitboard. The first above simple measures the energy you put into the absorbers/coushions. Using the direction sensing allows for more emmersive applications. Below some movies of my prototype 3d treeworld. If you are a hardcore programmer you may be able to write a glovepie script so you can run though Wold of Warcraft.
The software II
Nw you may be interested in the software and setup info. I will send it to you if you donate 10 euro on
[[]]
The software I
I get the direction by processing an input called gforce.x . If you hold the Wiimote in your hand it measures something like roll, but only acceleration. The values are positive in both directions. I found it will however go negative or positive dependent on the roll orientation, albeit in a very noisy way. It needs calibration at the start. I used moving window averaging to smooth it out.
What to do next
I created several programs to use the Footwii/Swiitboard. The first above simple measures the energy you put into the absorbers/coushions. Using the direction sensing allows for more emmersive applications. Below some movies of my prototype 3d treeworld. If you are a hardcore programmer you may be able to write a glovepie script so you can run though Wold of Warcraft.
The software II
Nw you may be interested in the software and setup info. I will send it to you if you donate 10 euro on
[[]]
Deletions:
The software
I get the direction by processing an input called gforce.x . If you hold the Wiimote in your hand it measures something like roll, but only acceleration. The values are positive in both directions. I found it will however go negative or positive dependent on the roll orientation, albeit in a very noisy way.
Revision [445]
Edited on 2008-12-08 22:39:38 by FritsRinckerAdditions:
Hello to my Swiitboard page. I created it to explain a little about my project. You can find videos and info on the why and how for anybody that is interested. I put a disclaimer up for nonsense and technical errors, I got the thing working ;-)
The software
I tried several wrappers and libraries for accessing the Wiimote. Not all of them worked well, one would specialize in teh Wiimote IR capabilities and the other on the buttons. In the end I settled for PyWiiuse, which seems to lack IR functions, but has the accelerometry down. Because I couldn't figure out the IR part I had to be creative get what I need only form the accelerometers.
What do I measure
As you run on the board the Wiimote moves up and down. This generates gforce and orientation signals all over the place. Not all data is usefull, and it seems there is quite some signal processing going on in the console. After some testing and graphing I found that only using the Roll input gave me all the data I need.
The steps
Roll gives a nice readout with every step. You can see it in the Wii Workout video below. The energy expended is in the area below the line graph (see picture). By summing all the readings (thus calculating the area) I measure something I call the 'effort'. It is shown on the right side in green. In white you see time. Notice the Wiimote never realy rolls because it is attachet to the plank.
The direction
I get the direction by processing an input called gforce.x . If you hold the Wiimote in your hand it measures something like roll, but only acceleration. The values are positive in both directions. I found it will however go negative or positive dependent on the roll orientation, albeit in a very noisy way.
The software
I tried several wrappers and libraries for accessing the Wiimote. Not all of them worked well, one would specialize in teh Wiimote IR capabilities and the other on the buttons. In the end I settled for PyWiiuse, which seems to lack IR functions, but has the accelerometry down. Because I couldn't figure out the IR part I had to be creative get what I need only form the accelerometers.
What do I measure
As you run on the board the Wiimote moves up and down. This generates gforce and orientation signals all over the place. Not all data is usefull, and it seems there is quite some signal processing going on in the console. After some testing and graphing I found that only using the Roll input gave me all the data I need.
The steps
Roll gives a nice readout with every step. You can see it in the Wii Workout video below. The energy expended is in the area below the line graph (see picture). By summing all the readings (thus calculating the area) I measure something I call the 'effort'. It is shown on the right side in green. In white you see time. Notice the Wiimote never realy rolls because it is attachet to the plank.
The direction
I get the direction by processing an input called gforce.x . If you hold the Wiimote in your hand it measures something like roll, but only acceleration. The values are positive in both directions. I found it will however go negative or positive dependent on the roll orientation, albeit in a very noisy way.
