Wii U GamePad allows for nine-axis controls
It’s time to learn a little bit more about the technology inside the Wii U GamePad. Did you know PNI Sensor Corporation provided the controller with a magnetic sensor, allowing it to maintain a nine-axis understanding of its orientation?
The GamePad’s magnetic sensor is somewhat comparable to the device included in hardware such as the iPhone. But because the GamePad is larger, PNI was able to cram in materials more sensitive to the Earth’s magnetic field.
Three different sensors are included in the GamePad: a gyroscope, accelerometer, and the aforementioned magnetic sensor. Collectively, the three pieces of technology track the X, Y, and Z axes to allow for nine-axis controls. PlayStation 3’s original Sixaxis controller, which includes a gyroscope and accelerometer, tracks six axes.
If the Wiimote were to make use of PNI’s sensor, any shaky cursor effects would be gone. And best of all, other magnetic interference doesn’t dramatically impact the controller’s performance.
For more information about PNI Sensor Corporation’s technology, head past the break for commentary from chief executive officer Becky Oh.
“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. The performance itself is what allowed us to be built into Nintendo’s [Wii U GamePad.]“
“Nintendo was looking for something that had the means to do better motion tracking. 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.”
“[The gyro and accelerometer] are good at tracking relativistic change. But it doesn’t tell you absolutely where you’re pointing and where the pointer is. What the magnetic sensor does is use the Earth’s magnetic field as a reference. It can always guide [the GamePad] back to what the absolute position is.”
“I think games such as first-person shooters, driving games, or some type of flying game would be a good candidate for this type of technology. Sony’s Sharpshooter [Move controller peripheral] did something like this, but when we played with it we saw it was not accurately tracking. There was both latency and inaccuracy. In that case, hardcore gamers would go back to using a joystick or game controllers, but if you had a very accurate way — with no latency or very little latency — to use the gun to point what you’re shooting. I think that does change the way the game is played.”
