Minute springs monitor controller motion

by Zack Stern { Nov 21st 2006 at 3:35AM }

CNN reports on some of the motion-sensitive parts that make the PS3 and Wii controllers possible. These special sensors are based on tiny springs that make circuits when jolted, while sensitive meters measure the flow of electricity through the connection.

How tiny are the parts? The silicon pieces that flex against the springs weigh about a millionth of a gram. And they only move slightly when the controller shakes -- the distance of 10 to 100 hydrogen atoms -- but their position can still be measured.

The sensors have existed for years but were only recently cheap enough for games, at less than $1 per axis, making motion tracking the new arms race in game control. Will the 360 -- or next Xbox -- have motion control?

Tags: launch06, motion controlls, motion tracking, MotionControlls, MotionTracking

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Andy @ Nov 21st 2006 3:55AM

If the movement is so slight, then they seem to be quite sensitive, and perhaps that is why rumble was left out.
Its entirely possible that the small shakes would cause these springs to close the circuits inducing fake signals.

Roostersoap @ Nov 21st 2006 3:57AM

Um... I'm pretty sure the sensors measure the charge on a capacitor who's plate separation(and thus capacitance) fluctuates based on the acceleration of the controller. So the springs aren't making circuits, but rather allowing components of them to change.

As an aside, an EE professor of mine told us about a PhD dissertation about 10 years ago where the students created ultra small, and ultra sensitive accelerometers similar to this one. It boiled down to them being required to measure a change in charge of about 3 electrons on a capacitor...

azesino @ Nov 21st 2006 4:09AM

MMM i dont think the xbox will have motion, Microsoft had a motion sensing controller way before sony and nintendo and it was just like my ps3 controler

FSK405K @ Nov 21st 2006 4:16AM

#1, Nintendo did include Rumble.

dum dum @ Nov 21st 2006 4:17AM

Then Andy, how come Nintendo managed to accompany motion sensing with rumble?

Brian @ Nov 21st 2006 4:42AM

Thanks but not thanks...Motion control is over rated.

vinchenzison @ Nov 21st 2006 5:24AM

azesino thats true, MS did have a motion controller first. I had one and came with Motocross maddness. It was quite good fun but that was before I moved to a console and enjoy the rumble feature better.
Didn't Sony once say something like, what ever we do, microsoft are always following behind copying...

citizen @ Nov 21st 2006 4:57AM

I think that's an excellent question. It would seem advantagous for Microsoft to include some motion-based functionality. This could be done at a low cost, and could take advantage of motion controlls that developers of cross-platform games are putting in Sony and Nintendo's latest offerings.

Having said that I think it is unlikley Microsoft would welcome games that relied completley on motion based controls. I see it more as an optional thing for games being made for the PS3 or Wii as well. I don't own a 360 yet, but I know I am going to buy one within a year or so. Maybe they can sweeten the deal for me. :)

Don Jose @ Nov 21st 2006 5:37AM

"Will the 360 -- or next Xbox -- have motion control?"

Oh, God, I hope not. If it does, it better be entirely optional--something you can turn off in the Settings menu on ANY game--or I will probably pass on console games entirely, and I hate mouse/keyboard and handheld games, so that's pretty much all games; Not something I take lightly after gaming regularly for the last 19.5 yrs.
The motion-reliant control systems on PS3 and Wii are my biggest turnoff when it comes to those systems...and the main reason I'll probably pass on both of them. This type of thing should not be forced. Besides the liability issues anyone with a little bit of foresight could predict (Wrist injuries from the Sixaxis; broken noses/orbitals from too many errant Wiimote swings), it's a bit alienating to many console gamers who have gotten used to one-piece, two-hand controllers and don't feel like there's any need to switch at this point. I feel this way, ironically, because that's what Nintendo taught me to expect: New system = new, two-handed, button-operated controller + better graphics.
They changed the formula, and the results just don't add up for me anymore.

FSK405K @ Nov 21st 2006 6:00AM

Nintendo lies to us!

In the article, someone explains how the pointer functions work by the sensor bar emitting a UV signal and the Wiimotes each containing a UV camera. What? The "sensor" bar does not sense, and the remote does the sensing?

Who's got a camcorder (which often pick up UV signals) and can check this for us?

Daxter1985 @ Nov 21st 2006 6:52AM

Hey Joystiq Legend of zelda retrospective part 6 is up

http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=15194&type=mov&pl=game

FSK405K @ Nov 21st 2006 6:55AM

Joqstiq, what's a contoller ?
Thanks for the Zelda link.

abigsmurf @ Nov 21st 2006 10:07AM

it measures slight changes in current from minute coils? No wonder they couldn't get a rumble feature in. The motors would drive this system bezerk. Heck unless it's got very good shielding, sticking this near a CRT TV would induce enough current to confuse it

Azslic @ Nov 21st 2006 7:29AM

Roostersoap, that is one method for sensing acceleration, and in all likliness, the sense element that Nintendo is using. Its an OLD technology, hence the super cheapness. There are better and more robust systems out there though. For example, if they used a tuning fork gyro (TFG) or a FOG sensor. These are what I am studying for my masters degree, and would more than likely be overkill because we use these in missile systems that I design. Couple them with other electronics and, WHAM, there you have it, a kill vehicle that can swat the hair off a gnats ass.

Markusdragon @ Nov 21st 2006 7:42AM

Reminds me of this

http://www.archive.org/details/CaseofSp1940

No springs!

FSK405K @ Nov 21st 2006 8:00AM

Markusdragon, ya, I remember that crazy video, too. It was the subject of ridicule on Mystery Science Theater 3000. Hilarious!

Urbanstorm @ Nov 21st 2006 8:57AM

If I remember correctly (could be wrong) , the reason why the Wiimote can have rumble is because of the sensor bar that you need. The sixaxis (?) doesnt require a sensor to use the motion sensor.

Also please don't compare microsofts old motion sensor contoller to nintendo's and sony's there are more differences than some of you claim and also there are real game companies using the wiimote and sixaxis microsoft didnt have that backing......

The TiaMaster @ Nov 21st 2006 9:16AM

nope. No motion controls for me or the 2 friends I can speak for. I don't wanna move anything but my thumbs. :)

Lex @ Nov 21st 2006 9:11AM

Yes but the Wii sensor sucks. It keeps locking up and having my character move around in circles while he gets shredded in Red Steel. This problem happened at least 6 times to me. I actually quit playing because of this.
It did a weird thing in Zelda while fishing. When I flung the controller and released the button the line flew in an odd way and got glitched. Then the camera started to wig out. Thankfully it happened once but its friggin annoying.

Yeesh maybe they should test this before releasing it. I did not pay close to $400 to test their shit. Yeesh looks like Nintendo pulled a Sony on this one.

> @ Nov 21st 2006 9:13AM

Even without rumble the motion sensors feed into filters that filter out normal hand shakiness etc. this is part of that sensitivity setting that you can adjust. The wiimote goes further and filters out frequencies that the rumble is known to be vibrating at. All this is most likely done in the wiimote before its even sent to the wii.

sixaxis doesnt have rumble because Sony didnt want to give Immersion any money for their patents.

samfish @ Nov 21st 2006 2:24PM

If the Wii takes off (and it's looks very likely right now), you can put money down that MS releases some sort of motion sensing controller. They probably feel that they can get away with it, since it wouldn't be the first time MS (or especially Sony, who added a second analog stick) changed their controller design.

Motion sensing IS the future. It really baffles my mind when I see people hating on the Wii (and PS3, to a lesser extent) for trying to advance an industry that has frankly become horribly stale and victim to a huge corporate mentality. Do these people really think they're going to get their virtual reality games of the future by playing with just a joypad?

Urbanstorm @ Nov 21st 2006 9:22AM

I know about the whole Immersion/Sony thing by>, I wasn't really giving sony an excuse I am just saying that nintendo Wiimote wouldn't be able to pull half the stuff it does without that sensor bar.

Also I'm a fan of no console but you have to respect the tech behind the sixaxis weather it was a last minute thing or not its positioning is better than I exspecting...

32_Footsteps @ Nov 21st 2006 9:24AM

Wait, if it costs less than $1 per axis, why is the Sixaxis $30 more than the DualShock, and the Wiimote $20 more ($40 if you get a nunchuck with it) than the Gamecube controller? Is Bluetooth adding that much to the cost of the controller? Or are the console companies getting aggressive about profiting on accessories (which has long been a huge cash cow for them)?

theban @ Nov 21st 2006 9:24AM

For those interested how it works.We had some guys from anlog devices who came to school.UMass Lowell.They said each wiimote has 3 accelerometers.they work by measuring the capcitance differance between plates.The capacitors are both stationary and moving.The moving ones are on sprints with stationary one in between the moving caps.The accelerometers break down at 35Gs.Furthermore, they are the same one that are used to deploy airbags in vehicles.Its pretty cool.The nanchuck has only one accelerometer made by another company.Or and these devices are called MEMs and they are not new.

frederick @ Nov 21st 2006 9:34AM

motion control is gay

32_Footsteps @ Nov 21st 2006 10:02AM

I had never thought about it before, but maybe Fred here is right. After trying both systems at E3, I was suddenly taken with the urge to have homosexual sex. It passed, but my friend who already got a Wii has had this undeniable urge for homoeroticism. Motion sensitive controls really do turn you gay.

And if you somehow missed the dripping sarcasm in this post, unplug your connection to the Internet before your stupid becomes contagious.

raquor @ Nov 21st 2006 1:57PM

sigh...tired of the fanboyisms. Try a Wii/PS3 before you start complaining.

As for the Nintendo system the sensor bar has absolutely NOTHING to do with the motion control. The Sensor bar is there ONLY for the pointer functionality and uses Infrared. Also quit taking launch game shortcomings as system shortcomings. Red Steel does have some issues but in my opinion it's due to the fact that they rushed it out the door as a launch game.

I don't know about the PS3's system but I'm happy to hear from various sources that it actually works a lot better than reported at E3.

Farseer @ Nov 21st 2006 10:21AM

LOL, I love the comments against motion sensor gaming:

"I don't wanna move anything but my thumbs."

Why do I see someone who gets winded walking to the refrigerator?

"motion control is gay"

Let me translate this one... "Holy crap, I've just spent the last 5 years of my life doing nothing but playing the same FPS online with the same control scheme so I can become the greatest at something in my life. Now you're telling me that there's a chance my little sister could beat me?"

Innovation people. I'm sorry, but this industry has been getting a bit stale lately, and at least someone is trying to be innovative.

> @ Nov 21st 2006 10:24AM

"Innovation people. I'm sorry, but this industry has been getting a bit stale lately, and at least someone is trying to be innovative."

Go read the reivews for RedSteel and COD (FPSs) and come back. There aint nothing innovative going on; and thats the reality.

joshua @ Nov 21st 2006 10:35AM

motion control sucks. the 360 controller is definitely the best one out. all the 360 needs now is keyboard and mouse support

Farseer @ Nov 21st 2006 10:37AM

"Go read the reivews [sic] for RedSteel and COD (FPSs) and come back. There aint [sic] nothing innovative going on; and thats [sic] the reality."

You hit the nail on the head >. A new control scheme will never make a stale formula fun again. Check out the reviews for (launch titles, mind you) Trauma Center SO, Rayman RR, or Super Monkey Ball BB. These games were designed to use an innovative control scheme and to give you more a imaginative game experience than simply shooting people.

I'm sorry, I started with Wolfenstien 3D on my old 386, and every FPS from that point on took the same idea and made it prettier.

*ducks flying tomatos

Skwurl @ Nov 21st 2006 10:46AM

#29

I'll be re-surfacing this quote when the review of Metroid Prime Corruption shows up.

It should provide a good laugh.

Matt @ Nov 21st 2006 10:52AM

Hey! It's Springy the Springfield spring!

Ritz @ Nov 21st 2006 10:54AM

FSK405K,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii_Remote#Sensing

And I don't have time to grab a picture right now, but it is the sensor bar that emits the IR and it's the remote that senses the two signals on either end.

Has nothing to do with motion control, btw.

Rootbeer @ Nov 21st 2006 11:14AM

"broken noses/orbitals from too many errant Wiimote swings"

Um, what. The Wiimote is not a baseball bat. It is not a lead pipe. It is a tiny stick made mostly of plastic that weighs maybe 6 ounces.

rodan32 @ Nov 21st 2006 12:06PM

All I ask for is a motion sensing suit and a next-gen version of "Michael Jackson's Moonwalker". I would pwn.

epobirs @ Nov 21st 2006 12:13PM

#22

Nah, Bluetooth costs justs a couple bucks to implement, possibly less for a device as simple as the PS controller. The spec was designed from the start to allow for very low cost parts.

Stick with the last explanation. In Sony's case especially. They're starting deeper in the hole per unit than ever before. They really need to make up that loss ASAP, so those who need additional controllers pay big. Even Nintendo, without a severe hardware discount, feels the need to score big margins on the controllers, although in their case the bulk of the profit may be handed to the retailer to keep them happy.

The trade off is that the PS3 and Wii no longer ask us to pay exhorbitant amounts for proprietary memory cards, except for legacy software and much of the user base already owns those memory cards.

I'd really like to see Microsoft offer an SD card adapter for the Xbox 360. They can make a big profit on the adapter but please let Core System users have access to far more space for the buck. A $30 adapter (their cost perhaps $5 at most) and a $10 1GB SD card is a far better deal than the current $40 64MB Memory Unit. This has the added advantag of encouraging more XBLA sales.

Kelvin @ Nov 21st 2006 12:18PM

I wonder when is a handheld going to get this sort of technology (optional, of course, for obvious reasons).

Because that would make Locoroco actually make sense to me. As well as all the people who look like idiots in the Japanese Locoroco commercials. ;)

ackmondual @ Nov 21st 2006 12:19PM

Of course all the systems will eventually have motion sensing. In the end, people copy off or "borrow" from Nintendo.

>PS1 is just an SNES controller with 2 extra shoulder buttons
>rumble feature first pioneered on n64 controller. Now Sony and M$ use it.
>XB and PS2 controllers took the analog from n64 and added their own additional analog

.

@ #6
""Thanks but not thanks...Motion control is over rated.""

Add that to other features like HD, Surround Sound, and nex-gen optical discs which are still in their infancy

Azslic @ Nov 21st 2006 12:45PM

So the IR sensor bar provides orientation data for the wii-mote. I guess the wii-mote contuniously pulses an IR signal out and the bar gives approximate directional data. This in only good for in-plane data, so I am assuming that the sensor bar is used only when you point the wii-mote at the screen, i.e. FPS.

Spore @ Nov 21st 2006 1:10PM

It's time for the Power Glove 2.0!

chudgoo @ Nov 21st 2006 3:30PM

FSK405K : NOT Ultraviolet... Infrared.
And yes there are pictures of it's beams in action out there. Basically it has a set of five IR LEDS on each side. Nintendo didn't lie by calling it a 'sensor bar' anymore than Sony lied when they named the 'Dual Shock'. I've never been shocked by it..heh. The bar gives the wiimote a sense of direction when pointed at the screen. (though I sort of wish there were a way to make the TV produce this 'spatial field')

On the rumble vs. motion sensing bit...

It would seem that the controller knows what sorts of vibrations to expect when rumbling, and which to ignore.

IOW, it produces these movements in a predictable way and knows which movements to ignore...think noise canceling headphones. The microphone in this case would be the control signals for the rumble motor. Invert this data and apply it to the accelerometer's control data...or something. The rumble is not some unpredictable thing. It is very done with very controlled rates and power settings.

Besides, can people shake their hands at 1000Hz? It would seem that the rumble motions are faster than your hand. (inevitable pr0n joke will follow I'm sure)