Head Tracking for Desktop VR Displays using the WiiRemote

Specifically: [VIDEO] Check out his entire youtube channel, it is full of interesting software/hardware hacks.

Check out Johnny Lee's awesome "Head Tracking for Desktop VR Displays using the WiiRemote"! [VIDEO] More great stuff: [LINK]

> [VIDEO] I did this at the time. I downloaded his Wii app that shows the little red/white discs, and bought a battery powered Wii-bar thing that had the IR leds in it and strapped it to my head. Can confirm, the 3D effect is 100% spot on, even the smallest move of your head caused the display to adjust perspective and your brain is totally fooled into thinking the Wii display is a just a window into a 3D scene. tbh, it was the only cool thing I actually did with my Wii!

This particular implementation will probably never work, but that doesn't mean "3D movies" in some form will never work. This guy built a stunning demonstration giving a 3d effect with a wiimote and a standard TV: [VIDEO]

So damn clever... releasing an SDK for the Kinect[1] was one of the smartest things Microsoft could have ever done and I think has gone a long way to contribute to it being the fastest selling piece of hardware in history[2] (did anyone know that? I sure didn't, and barely believed it reading it). This reminds me a lot of what Johnny Lee did with the Wii soon after it was released with head-tracking 3D[3] Part of me wants to stop using a computer and take up beet-farming because the cool factor seems so much less than what these guys are doing. Anyone on HN actively toying with a Kinect and want to share some video? [1] [LINK] [2] [LINK] [3] [VIDEO]

Johnny Lee's work with the WiiMote uses the same technique, and his demo is much more visually impressive. :-) [VIDEO]

Actually, stereoscopic vision is overrated. There are many hits our brain uses to make the 3D model of the world we have on our minds. Stereoscopic vision is one of them, but really just kick in for objects nearer than you arm cam hold. For distant objects, our brain uses other hints - that's why people aiming at far objects close one of their eyes. One of the strongest is the parallax effect, specially for medium distance and relative distance between objects. If you doubt it, look at this video: [VIDEO] Relative size and color fading works well for big distances - this is the prominent effect in parachuting videos. These are only two mecanisms, and immersion is not only about 3D sensation. Full periphery vision is of great value for this (IMAX, anyone?). Sound hints, brigthness, contrast, and a lot of other hints also help our brain making the 3D model.

"- Johnny Lee and the ATAP-Project Tango Team" Johnny Lee was the guy with the awesome Wii Controller demos back in 2007 (can't believe it's been that long). [VIDEO] edit: here's the full set of demos: [LINK] (also, I'm assuming it's the same guy, but his site says he's at Google now)