If we weren't sure the giant claw cost more money than we could ever hope to see, we'd suggest playing the world's largest crane game, or a bit of Let's See How Far We Can Throw This Minivan.
[Via Make]
Wiimote controls giant claw, brings man and machine closer
by David Hinkle 
on Jul 9th 2009 4:00PM
34
If we weren't sure the giant claw cost more money than we could ever hope to see, we'd suggest playing the world's largest crane game, or a bit of Let's See How Far We Can Throw This Minivan.
[Via Make]
Reader Comments (34)
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 4:09PM Deaths Hand said
Yeah but the grapple always drops the stuffed animal at the last second.
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Posted: Jul 9th 2009 4:09PM The Wicker Man said
LAME!!!! Wii is for soccer moms, old people, little kids, and mad scientist...oh wait MAD SCIENTIST? RAD!
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 4:11PM (Unverified) said
That looks sick...
But i am relatively skeptical if it is real or not.
Reply
But i am relatively skeptical if it is real or not.
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 6:24PM FreudianLemur said
The Wiimote's accelerometers (motion sensors) are being used to control this, not the infra red sensor, so no sensor bar is needed. But I agree, it could be faked.
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Posted: Jul 10th 2009 10:00AM (Unverified) said
I'm a controls engineer, this is definitely a simple hack if you know how the accelerometers return info to your computer assuming the claw is controlled electronically and not mechanically.
Odds are though, this thing was controlled with a couple joysticks in the first place which will return values similar to that of the wiimote and all the engineer had to do was switch the feedback device to the wiimote. Depending on how well written the control engineer's software was written in the first place, this could implemented in a few hours of coding and debugging.
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Odds are though, this thing was controlled with a couple joysticks in the first place which will return values similar to that of the wiimote and all the engineer had to do was switch the feedback device to the wiimote. Depending on how well written the control engineer's software was written in the first place, this could implemented in a few hours of coding and debugging.
Posted: Jul 10th 2009 10:03AM (Unverified) said
Correction: change the word "feedback" to "input". The feedback would be from sensors on the pneumatic pumps which would allow for a better, more accurate reflection of the user input.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 4:13PM MowDownJoe said
Stop spamming your stupid site.
That said, interesting bit. Could've used some better music, though... almost fell asleep.
Reply
That said, interesting bit. Could've used some better music, though... almost fell asleep.
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 4:34PM RobS the 3rd said
Today: Wiimotes controlling giant claws
Tomorrow: ROBOT APOCALYPSE!
Reply
Tomorrow: ROBOT APOCALYPSE!
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 5:14PM (Unverified) said
i believe the robocalypse has already begun... in Japan http://blog.flickr.net/en/2009/07/09/a-robot-rise/
this is just Australia trying to play catchup. maybe the US can too if we could just use what's left of the auto industry and find the allspark.
Reply
this is just Australia trying to play catchup. maybe the US can too if we could just use what's left of the auto industry and find the allspark.
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 5:19PM (Unverified) said
Between the music and the guys voice, the video sounded like a dating service video, real estate show, or possible some sort of Jacques Cousteau-esque documentary.
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Posted: Jul 9th 2009 6:07PM (Unverified) said
Make it a Powerglove, and then I'll be impressed
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 6:11PM FredFredrickson said
I've had some fun with the Wii, but I wouldn't want to hook it up to something like this... I've had too many instances of the cursor disappearing from the screen, following by it spastically jumping around the screen to want to see a giant robotic arm do the same.
And no, I was not moving my arms frantically around at the time. I was just waiting for the cursor to come back.
Reply
And no, I was not moving my arms frantically around at the time. I was just waiting for the cursor to come back.
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 6:23PM FreudianLemur said
Notice this isn't using a sensor bar? So there would be no problem with jumping about. Your problem is probably something to to with the Wiimote seeing other sources of light (ie a window on a sunny day). The jumping about is nothing to do with the accelerometers.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 7:26PM (Unverified) said
I agree with Gib about agreeing with Joe... about your spamming.
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Posted: Jul 9th 2009 7:52PM TaskMaster said
When this is Natal controlling a giant Mech, my insignificant life will be complete.
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Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:22PM (Unverified) said
I agree with Dave about agreeing with Gib about agreeing with Joe... about your spamming.
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