Wii Contoller

[bobvader505]

Is a wireless device like the Wii contoller allowed, I know that the contoller must be self powered by OI controller but seeing as though they allowed wireless xbox controllers i am not sure. Reason for the Wii Controller is that it will help in making lane changes. Of corse me being the programmer knows that the deadzone for the movement sensor will be the hardest thing I have ever done.

If anyone has any comments about this idea please tell me.

[Dan Richardson]

They allowed the use of the wireless xbox controller? I'm pretty sure Wired was the only one they allowed.

[bobvader505]

Well I saw several last year at my regional event

[bobvader505]

Ok never mind I found the answer in a post from last year, it is illegal

[Peter Matteson]

FYI the Wii remote's infrared detection capability does not send a signal. All signal are sent by Blu-Tooth.

The remote actually recieves a signal from the sensor bar. No the other way around like you would need in this game.

No to mention it would violate the external power supply rule to use a wii-mote, due to the batteries that power it.

[Kellen Hill]

You could also wire the wii remote or wiimote as I like to call it.

[anotherforrokid]

team 1230 tried and dosent work....
but the question is can it be used, like you said to acctually manual control the robot not through IR but bluetooth wise...is there a way to program it...?
you said teams in your regional got it right...
i am dying to see a robot be controlled with a wiimote...
meanwhile we got to stick with a small IR control...

[Mr. Freeman]

I think some team managed to do this last year, but don't quote me on that. It obviously can't be used during competition due to external power supply and wireless transmission rules, but it is possible.
I know for a fact that people have managed to make the wiimote interface with their computer, there are several videos on youtube/google videos. I assume someone could write a program to run on the laptop to interpret the input from the wiimote and then send formatted signals to the OI via serial cable. The OI would interpret the signals just like a joystick.

[Zultraranger]

I don't understand why you would even think about using a wii controller.

[Betty_Krocker]

The Wiimote wouldn't work anyway, the IR board and the Wiimote RECIEVE IR signals, therefore nos signals are being sent, effectivly rendering your robot useless on the floor.

[yoshibrock]

Originally Posted by Peter Matteson

No to mention it would violate the external power supply rule to use a wii-mote, due to the batteries that power it.

Doesn't any other IR controller use batteries? Correct me if I'm wrong, but all tv remotes I've ever had use batteries...

[Peter Matteson]

Originally Posted by yoshibrock

Doesn't any other IR controller use batteries? Correct me if I'm wrong, but all tv remotes I've ever had use batteries...

All IR controllers would use batteries yes. I was refering to using it as a primary controller (instead of a joystick) because using it for an IR controller is not physically possible as I mentioned earlier. That being the other way to use it, however again it uses a blu-tooth wireless signal which violates other rules.

To sum up there is no way to use a wii-mote within the rules unless you heavily modify it into something that conforms to the rules (i.e. wired and powered by the o/i game port or chicklet). At that point though there would have been cheaper and more practical ways to do the same thing so why bother wasting time with the what ifs.

[yoshibrock]

Well, if you want to use it as an IR controller, it would be expensive; but i mean, how cool is that? A wii remote giving the four commands?
But then again, I wouldn't want to waste a perfectly good wii remote either....

[SomeoneKnows]

What about using the Wii's Nunchuck instead of the Wiimote? I haven't tryed this hack yet but hope to soon.

Check out this link showing how to hack into the Nunchuck with a $30 Arduino microcontroller and a $20 Nunchuck. http://www.windmeadow.com/node/42

The problem with battery power is solved, the Nunchuck gets its power from the microcontroller. I don't think the Nunchuck uses IR like the Wiimote.

BTW, I started using the Arduino and I like it as an inexpensive robot controller to play with.

Vince

[Kellen Hill]

We have a member that is currently attending Iowa State University, and in one of his classes they took a wiimote apart and learned how to program it. He already has all the code we need to control a robot or driver doesn't exactly like the idea.