Quantcast

Motion-sensing on your DS

8:02 AM on 01.06.2007   |   Ishaan

Motion-sensing on your DS photo

A very ambitious homebrewer who goes by the name KeithE has developed a motion-sensing card for the Nintendo DS. It consists of a 3-axis accelerometer and a single axis gyroscope. The card works on both, the DS and the DS Lite.

Here's a short blurb on the creator's website about how it works:

The DS Motion Card contains a Kionix tri-axis accelerometer and single-axis gyroscope that communicate with the DS using SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) on the DS card.

The accelerometer measures acceleration in all directions (both gravitational acceleration and acceleration caused by a change in velocity). The gyroscope measures angular rotation rate (speed of rotation) around an axis perpendicular to the bottom screen of the DS.

Custom software turns the sensors on, reads the accelerations and angular rate, and controls the display based on the sensor readings. Functions to communicate with the sensors have already been written and are simple to integrate into any existing or new projects.

For more information and source code, download the DS Motion Card QuickStart Guide (zip).

I must say, this sounds rather intriguing. Motion-sensing on the DS would definitely be the next logical step for future upgrades. Are you seeing this, Nintendo? For those of you who are interested, you can find out more about this device at the creator's website, including some interesting uses he has come up with for the card and where to buy it.

 








More gaming stories around the web. Got news? Submit yours to tips@destructoid.com



Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

6 comments | showing # 1 to 6
prev next

WillyFourEyes's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2007 08:00
WillyFourEyes
Very interesting, indeed. I, too, wonder what kinds of games this could be used for. Of course, I'd also think a GBA motion-sensor add-on cart (like WarioWare: Twisted) might also do the trick.
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2007 08:57
Aaron Mxy Yost
Kirby Tilt & Tumble 2, RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE!!!
dprime's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2007 09:05
dprime
What does he use it for? He couldn't even toss in custom-developed DS games because the slot would be used up for his motion-detector. Or is it just there to play with the technology and show you its detection on the screen?
Ballistic90's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2007 09:58
Ballistic90
You would put the game on the same card as the motion sensor. I'd be worried about seeing the screen while I moved my DS.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2007 12:34
Darren Nakamura
How do we know it works? If it goes in the DS slot, you can't play any games with it...
Pepillou2's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/07/2007 02:06
Pepillou2
If you can connect it to the Wii you could have a double screen wiimote
or somethin'
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!