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Rice University using Wii to study robotic learning systems
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When people gather for a bit of Wii Sports tennis or bowling at Rice University, it might seem like its all in fun, but it has serious intentions. Professors Marcia O'Malley and Michael Byrne are hard at work studying how the human body learns certain movements, and they've turned to an interesting device to help gather the data: the Wii Remote.
According to O'Malley, having a motion-capture device at hand is invaluable. "It's the only part of the system we really need," O'Malley said. Professor Byrne added that they'll compare the data from the Wii remote to data retrieved from the more expensive Vicon motion capture system, noting that they'll "see how good the Wii really is."
They might want to wait for the Wii MotionPlus. While the Wii remote has been adequate for basic gaming uses, the MotionPlus expansion will capture complex motion much more accurately.
So what are O'Malley and Byrne hoping to achieve in the study? In the short term, the study will produce a better understanding of just how the body learns movement, such as how to put the perfect topspin on a tennis ball.
This information will have practical uses such as rehabilitation for stroke victims to help the body relearn basic motor skills.
Long term? Well, we probably won't live to see a pair of gloves that will teach us how to be experts and the piano, but who knows? Perhaps our kids will learn to play the easy way.
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