Disabled Toddlers Cruise On Wii Balance Board Vehicle

[Tom Goldman]

Disabled Toddlers Cruise On Wii Balance Board Vehicle


A research project at Ithaca College is helping disabled kids become mobile thanks to the Wii Balance Board.

The before [http://www.amazon.com/Wii-Fit-Plus-Balance-Board-Nintendo/dp/B002BSA3EM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1283101295&sr=8-1], but now it's helping kids. Students at Ithaca College have developed a miniature mobility system specifically designed to help disabled toddlers get around that uses the Wii peripheral to steer, with no license required.

The robotic mobility device's purpose is to reduce the "emotional and physiological limitations" that may arise for a disabled infant whose mobility is restricted. Though a disabled infant might not be able to move normally, the Wii Balance Board mini-car can help them to learn to move by leaning.

It works by positioning a seat and the Balance Board above a robot equipped with sonar to aid in the detection of obstacles so that a toddler doesn't crash. The project is aimed at kids under the age of two, so it has a safety override that allows the system to be remote controlled.

In tests, infants were able to move around when they were offered a reward such as a toy, but they were also observed moving the device on their own. Further research is required to determine if the kids realize that leaning drives them around on the robot, but its creators remain positive based on their current results.

Source: Engadget [http://cornell.academia.edu/madsesmith/Papers/251755/Infant-Control-of-a-Mobile-Robot]


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[Alandoril]

Just another example of how the games industry improves lives

 

[Worgen]

is there anything the wii cant do? well I mean besides bloom and bump map out the ass

 

[Avaholic03]

Annoying music, but great idea. I would hardly credit this to the Wii or gaming. All the Wii balance board does is have pressure sensors in good locations. Could have easily been accomplished with other hardware.

Also, the movement speed is pretty slow. And what's this about remote control? So you can drive your kid around if you want? I'm almost a little suspicious that the balance board isn't even used, and maybe someone is just off screen driving him around in that video.

And my final gripe about that design is that it seems dangerous. High center of gravity, very narrow wheelbase...seems like a recipe for injury, especially on uneven surfaces.

 

[Coliumbos]

1 step closer to the world of Wall-E?

Dammit Ninten-n-Large

 

[similar.squirrel]

I wonder how long it will take for counsellors to abuse the override system. You know, for races and such.

Nice idea, though. This 'self-directed evolution' thing is largely driven by existing disabilities, which abolishes that whole 'survival of the fittest' concept and turns it into something empathetic and beautiful.

 

[Nerf Ninja]

Damnit! faith in humanity rising! I need a clip about the Westboro baptists quickly!

 

[Stevepinto3]

Tots on Bots. This is neat and all, but was I the only one hoping we'd see babies fighting each other with robots? Come on, that would be awesome.

 

[Pendragon9]

Damnit Nintendo, every day you give me a reason to dislike you, but then you lead to this and make me love you again.

It's tearing me apart. >.<

 

[vansau]

Man, if I ever saw something that was Full of Win, that was it.

 

[Alar]

That actually looks really helpful. A lot of little toddlers are going to get a lot of mobility from this.

And I, for one, welcome our new mobile toddler overlords.

 

[Danpascooch]

Annoying music, but great idea. I would hardly credit this to the Wii or gaming. All the Wii balance board does is have pressure sensors in good locations. Could have easily been accomplished with other hardware.

Also, the movement speed is pretty slow. And what's this about remote control? So you can drive your kid around if you want? I'm almost a little suspicious that the balance board isn't even used, and maybe someone is just off screen driving him around in that video.

And my final gripe about that design is that it seems dangerous. High center of gravity, very narrow wheelbase...seems like a recipe for injury, especially on uneven surfaces.

Yeah but it WASN'T accomplished with other hardware.

It's stupid to say it doesn't credit the game industry, it does, anything positive that occurs due to the game industry's presence is a credit to the game industry.

 

[Cherry Cola]

I'd make a comment about how this is good news, but all I can really think of after watching the video is "D'aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw"

 

[Phoenixlight]

Awesome, using their technology to help people.

 

[garfoldsomeoneelse]

Wasn't nearly as funny as the headline lead me to believe, but innovations like this still make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

 

[icyneesan]

Always nice to hear about technology helping people :3

 

[martin's a madman]

Look at those cute babies!

I just wish those Primate children would stop sitting on them!

 

[ANImaniac89]

well that was a heartwarming story