Motion controller
In computing, a motion controller is a type of input device that uses accelerometers, gyroscopes, cameras, or other sensors to track motion.
Motion controllers see use as game controllers, for virtual reality and other simulation purposes, and as pointing devices for smart TVs and Personal computers.
Many of the technologies needed for motion controllers are often used together in
Technologies
Motion controllers have used a variety of different sensors in different combinations to detect and measure movements, sometimes as separate inputs and sometimes together to provide a more precise or more reliable input. In modern devices most of the sensors are specialized integrated circuits. The following items are examples of current and historical methods of tracking motion.
Inertial Motion Sensors
Cameras
Image sensors are used in conjunction with computer vision and are placed in locations such as on handheld or worn devices or in the environment to detect the relative locations of other devices and the environment, or to detect the movements of any or all parts of a user's body. They may be used in combination with paired light emitters that are tracked directly when seen by the camera, or indirectly through reflections of infrared light.
Magnetometer
A magnetic field sensor in a device may be used to detect the direction of the earth's magnetic field, or the direction to a nearby base station.
Mechanical
Mechanical sensing methods using
Weighing scales using load cells have been used to detect balance changes and other body movements through changes in weight distribution and momentary fluctuation in measured weight.
Unrelated to their use in motion tracking, mechanical sensors continue to see much use in joysticks and other controls that are found on motion controllers and other input devices.
Other
Ultrasonic triangulation and mercury switches were seen in optional peripherals for home video game consoles in the 1980s.
History
Early uses of motion controllers included the
The
The
Motion controllers became more widely distributed with the
The PlayStation 3 launched with the Sixaxis controller included, which featured three-axis accelerometer motion tracking and a one axis gyroscope while not including the haptic feedback (vibration) seen in other modern consoles citing interference concerns.[6] Both features were included in the later DualShock 3 controller refresh.
Several wand-based devices with accelerometer and gyroscopic sensors followed, including the
Nintendo and Sony would adopt motion tracking using gyroscopes and accelerometers as a standard hardware feature in successive generations starting with their handheld consoles the
Valve's Steam Controller was designed solely for use with PC's and required its Steam software. Its 6DOF sensors were made available for use by games published on Steam, and options available to users allowed the use of its gyroscope as a pointer control. Its motion tracking features would later be adapted for the Steam Deck.
The Nintendo Switch hybrid home/portable console and its included Joy-Con controllers feature 6DOF sensors in each controller in the pair as well as in the main body of the console. The optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and Poké Ball Plus controllers also feature 6DOF sensors.
In the
Notable controllers
- Wii Remote (Wii and Wii U)
- Sixaxis (PlayStation 3)
- DualShock 3, 4 and DualSense (PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5)
- PlayStation Move (PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5)
- Wii U GamePad (Wii U)
- Kinect (Xbox 360 and Xbox One)
- Razer Hydra
- Xavix
- Joy-Con and Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Nintendo Switch)
- Steam Controller
- Steam Deck
See also
- 3D motion controller
- Flick Stick
- Gesture recognition
- Motion capture
- Virtual reality headset
References
- ^ "The Disappearance of Yu Suzuki: Part 1 from 1UP.com". www.1up.com. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ Horowitz, Ken (2004-08-03). "Top 10 Tuesday: Worst Game Controllers". www.sega-16.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-06. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
- CNET.com. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
- Killer List of Videogames
- ^ Castaneda, Karl (2006-05-13). "Nintendo and PixArt Team Up". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
- ^ Murdey, Chase (2006-05-17). "Ready to Rumble? Immersion's Victor Viegas on PlayStation 3's Lack of Vibration". Gamasutra. CMP Media LLC. Retrieved 2006-07-01.
- ^ "HP ships Swing motion controller hardware with Pavilion PCs in India". Engadget. Retrieved 2011-11-01.