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![[OpEd]](/v2/images/stories/insight2.png "[OpEd]")
Since Johnny Chung Lee is doing such cool stuff with the Wiimote I thought you might like to hear more from him (I know I did). So here you go, part one of the Generation: Gamerz interview with Johnny Lee. Some of his recent projects could spread into such diverse industries as photography, education, medicine, video games and even, I hate to say it, military operations. Imagine a large flat touch screen where a general can grab and move the map and get real time data while zooming in and out on surveillance footage and satellite photos in 3D VR. Scary stuff man, I sure hope he uses his super powers for good and not evil.
Here's part one where we mostly talk about the Wii and the Wiimote:
 [SG]: I think it's safe to say the Wii is a major innovation in gaming technology and interfaces, as a human/computer interaction researcher were you even more excited than normal gamers when information started leaking out of Nintendo?
[JL]: It's hard to imagine what a "normal gamer" is for comparison. But, unless he/she was jumping up and down during the initial product announcement then that would be a "yes". In my opinion the Wii remote is the most interesting thing to happen to general computing since the original mouse and keyboard. There have been a lot interesting devices released for interacting with the computers like tablet pens, touch screens, gyroscopes, accelerometers, camera tracking, etc. But, nothing remotely on the same scale and uniformity as the Wii remote. Mass adoption and uniformity of hardware is what is necessary to bring about change in user interface software.
[SG]: What do you see as the greatest potential of the new interface?
[JL]: Well, I think it is still best for playing games and I think the current set of games have only scratched the surface of what the Wii remote can do. There's still a lot of untapped capability in these controllers, which is party what my wiimote projects are trying to demonstrate. The WiimoteWhiteboard work actually seems to be making some waves in the educational technology sector giving thousands of teachers around the world, especially those in developing countries, a way to put electronic whiteboards into their classroom for about $60. Also, I think the wiimote is the ideal living room/media center controller. So it's hard to identify which is the "greatest" potential, but there is definitely a lot of it.
 [SG]: What other types of peripherals do you think will be coming in the future? I am hoping for sensors that strap on to wrists and ankles for fighting games that could be tracked in a 3D space. That would really get gamers off the couch but poses some dangers as well. But you said the Wiimote can track 4 points so with 2 people and 2 Wiimotes you have a fighting game!
[JL]: Yes, accurate 2D or 3D tracking of points attached to your limbs or other objects would be fantastic. I'd love to have those kinds of games. But, whether or not they'll actually become products will be up to Nintendo and game developers. Making wearable hardware and encouraging potentially dangerous movement can be tricky from a manufacturing and legal standpoint even if a lot of consumers really want it. But given consumers apparent willingness to purchase specialized hardware for a particular game experience, hopefully we'll see more products that explore new interaction techniques rather than just prettier graphics.
[SG]: The Wii is using IR technology, was that a smart choice by Nintendo or do you think they could have done better with something else?
[JL]: I think it was a fantastic choice. Given the cost and complexity of alternative technologies I am aware of, IR provides the best performance for the price by far. The apparent resolution and speed of the PixArt IR camera in the tip of the Wii remote is incredible for the cost.
Tune in on Monday for Part 2 where we wrap up the Wii talk and move into more abstract waters that smell of science fiction but might become reality one day.
Thank you to Mr. Lee for his time, I'm sure he's quite busy. You can read more about Mr. Lee and his work over at his site. Or take a look at his Wii Projects blog .
One person has commented on this article. 1. Untitled
testmonkey, Registered I have seen some of this mans work and to say "INCREDIBLE" is an understatement. Everyone make sure you visit Johhny Lee sites and suggest to the fellas here at "GG" to put together some "how-to" projects..... MAYBE ?? 
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