hate to be pedantic, but it's just three axes if you can't twist. (although it looks at least partially twistable around the x and y axes, in which case it's 5-axis). I wrote my dissertation on 3d interface design and my supervisor was always bashing me about using 1-to-6-DOF (degrees of freedom, or axes) correctly when writing a taxonomy of input devices. (yes you can get 1-dof devices, the analog triggers on the x360 pads are examples of that)
the 6 from 6-axis (or DOF; they're pretty much interchangeable terms but axis is friendlier) comes from the fact that you can translate in X,Y,Z as well as rotate around X,Y,Z.
also! played with a much, much larger version of this device (although there were two of them and more geared around brute force interaction like picking heavy objects up - it could give a 200N force so it had some kick!) at uni - haptics are FUN. VERY FUN.
Well looking at it from the point of view of support versus use, it's expensive yes. The fact you can't twist it is a real bummer though. If there was an app that came with it, to sorta build your own mods for *most* games, then that would be pretty darn cool.
Leaving aside the force feeback (which does sound cool...)
It's a joystick. Only, instead of sticking upward from the base/desk, it sticks forward from the base/desk, presumably making it hugely uncomfortable to hold....
some joysticks can be partially twisted left and right aroudn the z-axis, in which case technically they are 3-DOF, but you still don't have the z translation this device offers.
damn, beat to the chase. I can only imagine what the pr0n industry could do with this piece of kit (or even a moded version of it) if they teamed up with some decent game designers. its a hell of a funny prospect but an almost serious one.
(pulls mind out of the gutter) I wonder what advantages (or fun) there would be for having 2 of these in use at the same time (with the appropriate drivers, of course)
Thats fooking cool.... But i agree with darklord its a bit expensive as a games controller, even compared to the 100k fod mentions, its still a games controller. If you could use all your games out the box it might be nearly worth it. Can just see every one in tf2 playing pyro to save there arms from the recoil, sniping would require even more skill since the device would be actively pulling your arm downwards and swaying not just your visiual changing.
Originally Posted by steveo_mcg Thats fooking cool.... But i agree with darklord its a bit expensive as a games controller, even compared to the 100k fod mentions, its still a games controller. If you could use all your games out the box it might be nearly worth it. Can just see every one in tf2 playing pyro to save there arms from the recoil, sniping would require even more skill since the device would be actively pulling your arm downwards and swaying not just your visiual changing.
Imagine holding a minigun or a .50 cal sniper rifle
my response to the article: my sentiments exactly.
it looks bloody cool! but for that price, its a bit hard to justify..... altho, if sometime in the future, this gadget becomes as popular as other "extreme gamer" hardware (namely razer mouse/keyboard or logitech's high-end $100+ peripherals), then i'll probably pick it up.
I must say, i'm quite surprised to see this available commercially, its an advanced haptic device. I've had a play with some more expensive, larger versions of this, that were in development to be used for training surgeons without the need for an actual patient, the ones i used did have rotational feedback as well though. It is actually quite a simple concept, the problem is that it becomes a lot more technically difficult when you realise that you're actually applying a torque an not simply moving the arms, this means you can't use a normal electric motor and instead need a pretty good stepper motor and some rather expensive control systems for it. I'd love to have a play with one of these and get to grips with how it works.
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Out of curiosity, I wonder how this thing would work in something like Flight Simulator.
But I agree with Joe, $239 is a lot of money for something so specialised. Does it have integration into 3D design applications?
the 6 from 6-axis (or DOF; they're pretty much interchangeable terms but axis is friendlier) comes from the fact that you can translate in X,Y,Z as well as rotate around X,Y,Z.
also! played with a much, much larger version of this device (although there were two of them and more geared around brute force interaction like picking heavy objects up - it could give a 200N force so it had some kick!) at uni - haptics are FUN. VERY FUN.
All in all it looks pretty neat but I don't think I could justify the money for it.
BTW: from your description, it sounds like it moves on 3 axes not 6.
EDIT: Doh Fod beat me to it.
It's pretty expensive =\
with the success of the Wii many people will be looking at the new form of interface
out of interest is it availible in the uk
It's a joystick. Only, instead of sticking upward from the base/desk, it sticks forward from the base/desk, presumably making it hugely uncomfortable to hold....
some joysticks can be partially twisted left and right aroudn the z-axis, in which case technically they are 3-DOF, but you still don't have the z translation this device offers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IKYDkDPres
(pulls mind out of the gutter) I wonder what advantages (or fun) there would be for having 2 of these in use at the same time (with the appropriate drivers, of course)
Anyway... I want one.
Imagine holding a minigun or a .50 cal sniper rifle
Ok, it's not crap, Ocarina of Time is actually also an excellent game, but c'mon..
it looks bloody cool! but for that price, its a bit hard to justify..... altho, if sometime in the future, this gadget becomes as popular as other "extreme gamer" hardware (namely razer mouse/keyboard or logitech's high-end $100+ peripherals), then i'll probably pick it up.