ST sensors power Nintendo's Wii home console

STMicroelectronics (ST) announced that its three-axis acceleration sensors will be used to provide a motion-activated user interface for Nintendo Co. Ltd' new home console, Wii.

Expected to change the way people play video games, the Wii controller includes ST's high-performance acceleration sensors that can detect the motion and tilt of a player's hand in all three dimensions and convert it into immediate game action.

Driven by ST's Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology, the Wii controller can respond to changes in direction, speed and acceleration, down to the most delicate movements. Specifically, the controllers use embedded acceleration sensors to enable players' wrist, arm and hand movements to interact with the games. Tilt measurements also allow users to move characters, while the accurate three-axis acceleration sensing easily transforms the controller into a virtual sword, gearshift or musical instrument.

In addition, said ST, the acceleration sensor's miniature dimensions of 5-by-5-by-1.5mm³ significantly contribute to the user-friendly volume and weight of the TV-control-shaped handpiece, while the ultra-low power consumption of its MEMS devices prolongs the battery life of the controller and the high thermal stability avoids unwanted motion sensing in varying temperature conditions. The robust design of the sensor also provides high immunity to vibration and a shock resistance up to 10,000g.

"ST's silicon expertise and leadership in micro-machining technologies has enabled the company to deliver a most cost-effective combination of sensor resolution, size, and power characteristics," said Genyo Takeda, senior managing director and general manager of integrated research and development division at Nintendo. "Another key factor in our choice of ST's motion sensors was the company's full ownership of the device manufacturing flow, which guarantees high quality, roadmap continuity and security of supply."