Science, Health & Tech
Tech Tidbit: Defusing bombs via Wii remote
The Pointer
sjen236@uwsp.edu
The ever popular Wii allows its users to experience the same movements they would as if they were really participating in activities like tennis, bowling or baseball. While the Wii remote makes it possible for a person to simulate reality, these gadgets are getting practical, real world use as well.
The United States military have begun using the Wii remote to control bomb- defusing robots. Packbot searches the area for bombs and landmines, dismantling any it comes across. This allows soldiers to keep a safe distance from possible explosions which could occur while defusing the bombs or landmines.
Previously, soldiers have controlled the robots with joystick controllers, much like the ones used with gaming systems such as Xbox. However, some experts felt that wasn’t the most practical or efficient way to conduct bomb-defusing operations. One engineer noted that “90 percent of the operator’s workload goes into driving the robot rather than keeping an eye on the sensor data.”
With the Wiimote, as it is often referred to, robot operators are better able to control the mechanical being. They can focus more on the data collected and reported by the robot rather than on steering it. Engineers have also made adjustments to the Wiimote by making it buzz instead of vibrate when it comes across “something of interest.”
For more information on how the Wii remote controlled Packbot works, check out its official Web site, http://www.irobot.com/sp.cfm?pageid=170.
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