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Sony patents an ultrasonic controller shaped like a boomerang photo

In June, Sony patented something truly special. The patent is for a new controller that will utilize “hybrid video capture and ultrasonic tracking, but will still have some of that old silly stuff like buttons and analog sticks. It also breaks apart and can be used as a smashing weapon, or more likely, a Wii remote.

Yet, unlike a Wii remote, this thing looks to be more of a three-dimensional sensing apparatus. The abstract (via Edge) says that the controller will analyze “sound communications” to gauge the distance between each the player and the PS3. In addition to that, it will also be able to gauge the distance between players and then somehow spit that into the gaming experience.

So, what will players be able to do with a videogame controller that has the sensitivity of a bat and has the perfect grip and length to tenderize meat or pulverize humans? I haven’t the slightest idea, but this thing needs to happen immediately.


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28 comments | showing # 1 to 28

CarlCastello's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 18:30
CarlCastello
Kind of an ugly thing, isn't it?
solidgoomba's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 18:30
solidgoomba
No, this needs to never happen, this looks like the single most convoluted first party accessory I've laid eyes on. Swapping face buttons? No thanks, not to mention how ridiculous the thing looks.
ShadokatRegn's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 18:33
ShadokatRegn
Oh good, now when someone cheats while playing Tekken, I have a real chance of teaching them a lesson.

Also, no. Just...no.
Gamer Named Tim's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 18:36
Gamer Named Tim
It really does look fucking stupid.
Palidi's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 18:45
Palidi
Awww, I liked it better when it was suppose to be like a pair of gloves.
Primo's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 18:54
Primo
Is that guy in the picture supposed to represent what the average gamer looks like? Why did they give him sideburns?
KMCC's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 19:14
KMCC
Huh?
spacecadetjoe's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 19:15
spacecadetjoe
i think it could be cool
The-Excel's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 20:01
The-Excel
It's such a bad idea that the guy in the diagram is losing 6-2.
John B's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 20:13
John B
You people need to look at the potential for this thing!

Bring me on a snap-on bat'leth attachment and Star Trek: Klingon Warrior! NOW!!!
Alexradl's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 20:38
Alexradl
Will the plastic ad-ons be included?
Professor Pew's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 20:39
Professor Pew
Red October, standing by.
Thornnn's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 20:59
Thornnn
I just bought the blow up doll peripheral for my wii. now I'm ready to play Custer's Revenge.
Fronz's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 21:10
Fronz
it's a back washer control to go with their old and unused shape changing bathtub patents. :)
PEICanada7's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 21:17
PEICanada7
That thing looks hideous. Of course the PS3's original boomerang controller was no better looking LOL!
catsithx's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 21:41
catsithx
It's also good for stopping thieves. One good throw takes them down.
NihonTiger90's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 22:32
NihonTiger90
This thing still looks so poorly designed. I mean, it looks like a penis.
Crunshii's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 22:42
Crunshii
that thing needs a serious design revision.
LostSoulDX's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 22:56
LostSoulDX
Well, I'm more likely to use it to beat someone's head in than to play video games. I mean, wtf Sony? Seriously. This is a joke.
SuperD1984's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/30/2008 23:18
SuperD1984
design
BattyAdroit's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 01:45
BattyAdroit
Thank god it's only a picture, and not an actual product.

Right, D-tards?
Ninjasnake's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 01:46
Ninjasnake
Now all we need is the 360's Motion controller to come out and we won't even need the Wii.
parrothead's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 02:24
parrothead
More broken TVs
AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 07:09
AgentMOO
Yes, now I can literally beat someone with the ugly stick!
elsteveo's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 07:10
elsteveo
1 word to say for this thing.

GAY
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 08:48
Holyetheline
I saw this in the cblogs the other day. This thing is so dumb looking.
-PL-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 14:17
-PL-
I'm all for it, unless it gets to the point where nine out of every ten games are "High School Musical" related.
Springsteen's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 15:56
Springsteen
AWESOME! I can finally waggle and be hardcore at the same time. Afterall, coherence is for losers.

Honestly, it looks pretty dumb. They just can't get over the boomerang thing, apparently. Everything else seems extremely interesting. Except Nintendo must've been spending many moneys into R&D towards said project or something similar since real time weapon changing was announced.

I didn't want to go there, but the sudden coolness of waggle made me facepalm. Almost as much as the blatant idea-sucking.

Anyways, if it's good for the industry and it works I'm all for it.
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