How to Use a Wii Controller As an Accelerometer

The Nintendo Wii is a video game console that utilizes advanced motion-tracking controller input. The Wiimote, as it is called, features a tiny infrared camera, a Bluetooth communication system for wireless control and an MEMS accelerometer to sense the device's position and movement in three-dimensional space. These functions make the Wiimote a popular component in projects among hobbyists and inventors, especially the Wiimote's accelerometer system. With a free, open-source program called DarwiinRemote, you can record and log the accelerometer's data on your home PC.

Things You'll Need

• Nintendo Wiimote
• Personal Computer running Mac OS X and equipped with Bluetooth communication
• DarwiinRemote

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Open the DarwiinRemote program.

   • 2

     Click and hold down on "Window" at the top of the screen to open the drop-down menu, then move the cursor down to "Show IR Info" and release the mouse button.

   • 3

     Click on the "Find Wiimote" button in the "Wiimote Event Log" window that appears.

   • 4

     Press the "1" and "2" buttons on the Wiimote.

   • 5

     Click on the "IR Sensor" button.

   • 6

     Observe the graph that appears and tracks the accelerometer's data output as the Wiimote moves.