Nintendo sources tri-axis accelerometer to Analog, ST Micro

May 10, 2006 – Both Analog Devices Inc. and ST Microelectronics announced on Tuesday that they would be supplying tri-axis MEMS accelerometers for use in Nintendo’s new home video game console, the Wii. The accelerometers will be used to provide a motion-activated user interface for the gaming machine.

The controller can detect the motion and tilt of a player’s hands in all three dimensions and convert them into game motion. Game players can execute running, jumping, spinning, sliding, steering and other moves on-screen with a single-hand, motion and tilt-activated controller, the companies said.

Nintendo had previously used a MEMS chip in its Kirby Tilt `N Tumble game for handheld Game Boy machines.

– David Forman

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