It turns out the US military have adapted the Wiimote to control bomb-defusing robots in warzones. The machines are called Packbots, developed by iRobot they're capable of bomb disposal and locating dangerous landmines, saving soldier lives.
Scientists at the US Department of Energy commented the Wii remote was much more intuitive to use than standard controls.
This is another in a long line of examples where Wii's technology is used outside the field of gaming. Defusing bombs, training surgeons, what will be next? How long before the first Wiimote lands on the moon?
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gw117 said:
The download link doesn't work... ...
robcfg said:
I worked with those some years ago, and they are basically identical to the home unit, but it needed special recordable ...
samsopil1234 said:
Asia
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cocotg said:
cocotg* ... Cocoto Magic Circus 2
FellaHaterPeP said:
because they stink of poop
... Super Mario Odyssey
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User comments
ToTaLgAmEr said:
That is so cool! Next they will send wiimotes into battle instead of soldiers.
BrAwL said:
Wiimote will be used to communicate with aliens.
ET said:
This article made my day! I'll give it at least a year until the Wii remote gets its own reality show.
YoshLee said:
When I first read this story, I laughed. Man the Wii has so many uses, next thing they should try to use them for is make a hovercraft.
Wiipaw said:
Yah hear that Nintendo? People are advertising for free.
Tennindo said:
Nintendo must be happy about how the Wii system and Wiimote (Wii remote) helps in the real world. It's something to be happy about. You don't see Xbox 360 doing anything to help real people, do you? Hi-Def doesn't count.
Scooby Jew said:
Seeing as how Brawl's servers and gameplay are both located on the moon, it won't be long.
NipMip said:
Wii technology is being used everywhere and yet they STILL can't fix the lag on Wifi matches?!
Weber said:
I never thought the Wii-mote would used in such a way. This definitely proves Nintendo's ingenuity.
DragonFoxCoon said:
If you can use a Wiimote to dispose of bombs, isn't it logical to assume that it can be used to detonate them as well?
Nintendoof said:
Wii to Zero Grav. Would be awesome.
Ubermegakillbot said:
No way, would it really be accurate enough?!
Zebin said:
Next our air planes and cars will be piloted and driven by the Wiimote.
Master Foot said:
I heard that the US military is mass producing R.O.B the robot for a "classified application". I guess Gyromite was good for something.
Jinchuuriki88 said:
Nice.
Joker said:
It's a great controller AND military disarming device. More reasons the Wii pwns.
Nova said:
Wait. You're serious?
Quartz said:
Are you serious? That's crazy.
Wii Freak said:
Your picture should have had ROB and a bomb-omb.
Keranu said:
Culture shock.
Master Foot said:
I heard that the military considered a SIXAXIS prototype then Lair was made.
wii fanatic said:
Wiimote, GO! Attack them.