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I bet you thought that people had stopped using the Wii's technology to better mankind, but, as the video above and the video below show, you thought wrong. These vids showcase the Ithaca College Tots on Bots program, which has the goal of mobilizing infants with physical disabilities. How are they going about doing that? With a robot and a Wii Balance Board.

As you can see, as the child leans the Balance Board is triggered and the robot cart moves in that direction. It seems to work out pretty well as the children in the videos are able to roll around and turn however they want to. On top of the Balance Board controls the robots also use sonar to avoid nasty crashes and feature a remote control that an adult can use to take over.

Evidently, further study is needed to see if long term developmental benefits appear, but for now at least the kids get to roll around looking adorable.

Wii Balance Board-controlled robot a hit with toddlers in Ithaca (video) [Engadget]








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Matthew Razak is Destructoid's Associate editor and co-founder of film site Flixist. He began as community member "cowzilla" and was since sequestered to write brainy features material. He lives in Los Angeles with his beautiful wife. Likes Games! Movies! Hats! Meet the rest of the team



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21 comments | showing # 1 to 21
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Pixel Kaiser's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2010 23:38
Pixel Kaiser
That's really neat. I'd like to hear Nintendo's response to this.
JamHandy's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2010 23:42
JamHandy
I just hope that response isn't a lawsuit. Seriously though, this is awesome.
MichMasteR's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2010 23:51
MichMasteR
@T3h Kaiser:
Agree with you, just hoping Nintendo doesnt screw this up, really great by the way
Charly Dunst's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 00:53
Charly Dunst
Wow, this is really crazy XD
Tony Ponce's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 01:12
Tony Ponce
Show me a single instance of Nintendo filing a lawsuit against fan works. Bet you can't find a single one.
Nortonantivirus's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 01:21
Nortonantivirus
Why would they sue? They aren't selling it.

Stop talking about dumb lawsuits, and talk more about how adorable that kid is.
LeRoi's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 01:54
LeRoi
@Tony Ponce

http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/html/2000/d2000-0998.html

------

At any rate, cool story, I really like this utilization of a peripheral for which I never had much use.
DefiantBadger's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 02:11
DefiantBadger
That music is perfect.
GEMPadre036's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 02:22
GEMPadre036
@LeRoi
That isn't fan work, that is a domain name. Find a fan-work example and we'll have something to talk about.
Anyyways, that is pretty dang awesome/adorable.
w4ffles's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 02:28
w4ffles
The Wiimote Whiteboard project didn't run into any trouble with Nintendo. I don't see how this could either.
Loogibot's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 03:36
Loogibot
Baby powered bots... Skynet is pleased!

This is really great. I doubt Nintendo will get in the way.
Maniac's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 04:01
Maniac
@GEMPadre036

http://www.theherooftime.com/2009/12/the-hero-of-time-update-01-01-10/
cobacel's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 05:03
cobacel
1. She's teasing her like a DOG .
2. WEre gona end up like in WALL-E !!!!!!!! fat and not be able to walk , well use these devices ....
3. Because of number 2 THIS SUCKS !
eskimo bob's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 05:55
eskimo bob
the creativity and handiness of people like this never ceases to amaze me.
rexwolf2's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 08:03
rexwolf2
@reloi and Tony: They did it with the Hero of Time Zelda fan-movie, but even then, they let people watch it online for a short period of time.
KingSigy's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 11:40
KingSigy
That is honestly a very positive and heartwarming use of technology we all thought was worthless.
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 12:40
mix
I don't know about this....

From :15-:20 the baby doesn't change her lean at all yet the machine turns and then stops towards the toy. If the baby didn't change her position the machine should still be turning around. Then at :21 the baby turns around and clearly leans backwards and the thing doesn't move at all....
Mayiplay's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/29/2010 15:06
Mayiplay
Okay, THAT is sweet.

@mix
It's probably still being worked on. Wait til they get Motionplus integrated on that!
Chaz69's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/30/2010 00:00
Chaz69
this video made me sad it was so cute
douglatins's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/30/2010 10:09
douglatins
Nintendo will probably sue due to unlicensed tech usage
infinova's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/30/2010 10:47
infinova
That was pretty great. I can't wait till they integrate hoverboards.
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