8 replies to this topic

[SDDMN]

“At PNI, we specialize in geomagnetic sensors, and our sensors have a higher resolution — about 15 times higher resolution — than what is commonly in something like cell phones,” PNI chief executive officer Becky Oh told GamesBeat. “The performance itself is what allowed us to be built into Nintendo’s [Wii U GamePad.]“

That “higher resolution” refers to the sensor’s ability to inform the Wii U hardware of the controller’s position in 3D space. The magnetic sensors are similar to what is in something like the iPhone, but since the GamePad is significantly bigger, PNI had the room to use larger materials more sensitive to the Earth’s magnetic field.

“Nintendo was looking for something that had the means to do better motion tracking,” said Oh. “They did a lot of different testing in many different areas so that if they did do a nine-axis tracking it would work in all different situations.”

That does sound pretty good. What do you all think?

http://venturebeat.c...epad-nine-axis/

[Mignaga]

Wait, what is 9 axis? I can only really see there being a purpose for a 6 axis.

[Joshua]

I'd assume 9-Axis' make the motion detection even more accurate than a 6-Axis.

[Tsuchinoko]

I don't understand it 100% percent, but it does sound better. And I believe it is better because the motion controls are spot on. To me they are near perfect. The Wii had great motion controls, but the Wii U controls are far better. So whatever they are doing they are doing it right.

[SoldMyWiiUAndLeftTheForums]

Well that's awesome, I think................

[Muramasa]

It trascends the 3rd dimension. Sweet.

[3Dude]

Im glad they are using better motion tracking in the game pad, though i wish they could fit it im a new wii remote model.

Though it kind of pisses me off they are using made up terms marketing then as if they had some bearing on the actual axis of motion they measure. Though they are far from the only ones to do it.

There are only six axis of movement, three rotational, and three translational. Thats it, there are no more.

What they are talking about is having 9 axial measuring devices, to measure the six axis.

They have a triaxial accelerometer, so thats three. A triaxial gyroscope, so six, and a triaxial geomagnetic sensor, so nine devices all trying to measure the same six axis of motion. Not nine axis of motion.

[Arkhandar]

For those of you who are confused of what a "9-axis" motion sensing device can actually do, here's the following video.



What this allows the Wii U GamePad to do is to point at the TV screen (or at basically anything) and know where it's positioned.

To achieve this, Wii Remotes had to have an IR sensor bar above or bellow the screen. Now with "9-axis" there's no need for a sensor bar. This pretty much puts Sony's Move to a rest, since the GamePad doesn't need a camera to track it either.

We can see the "9-axis# in action in Nintendo Land, more specifically on Takamaru's Ninja Castle, where you point the GamePad at the screen and it immediately knows where it's pointing to.



It's nice to say goodbye the sensor bar, although it looks pretty cool on top of my TV

I really hope to see this cool new feature applied to more games in the future, especially in FPS's. Developers could really come up with great ideas with this one... especially dodging attacks with the GamePad, that would be nice.

I also wonder if Nintendo might release a 3rd Generation Wii Remote with 9-axis...

Edited by Arkhandar, 28 November 2012 - 06:58 AM.

[Nollog]

Oh, so this explains why the uPad has a magnometer in it.
I was wondering why they put a magnet in it.

Edited by Nollog, 28 November 2012 - 10:03 AM.