Motus CEO talks Darwin motion-control
The success of the Wii has brought a lot of attention to motion-based game controls. Sony and Microsoft are undoubtedly working on their own motion-control systems right at this moment, but Motus, a company started by a team of MIT grads out in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has already demonstrated a...
The success of the Wii has brought a lot of attention to motion-based game controls. Sony and Microsoft are undoubtedly working on their own motion-control systems right at this moment, but Motus, a company started by a team of MIT grads out in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has already demonstrated a new controller that has the potential to bring motion control to any gaming platform.
The engineers at Motus were able to develop its Darwin controller relatively quickly because they spent years learning about motion-sensing technology while developing their first product, the iClub, a hardware and software package designed for golf instruction. The Darwin controller shares the familiar wandlike shape of the vanilla Wii Remote, but has more internal sensors that promise superior performance.
We had a chance to speak with Motus CEO Satayan Mahajan to find out more about the Darwin controller and the company's plans to bring it to market.
GameSpot: What exactly is the Darwin?
Satayan Mahajan: The Darwin controller is basically a motion-based controller that is competitive to the Wii, designed for the platforms other than the Wii--Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
GS: What kind of hardware does the controller feature? Accelerometers, gyroscopes?
SM: It's both accelerometers and gyroscopes, and magnetometers. All three of those combined in very clever ways give us what we believe are better capabilities than the Wiimote.
GS: Nintendo recently announced the Wii MotionPlus accessory, which reportedly has three internal gyroscopes. Will the new add-on bring the Wii Remote closer to the Darwin?
SM: I think it should be a lot closer to the Darwin. It's still missing the magnetometers, so it's still a system that needs that IR strip to figure out where it is, whereas the Darwin is completely self-contained. If I'm not mistaken, there were a number of postings and blogs, and we've been hearing through our friends and family, so to speak, that the Wii MotionPlus was a response to the Darwin.
When a few people told us that, we thought, "How realistic is that? Here we are, this little company with 15 to 20 guys in Cambridge, Massachusetts." Oddly enough, blogs and little postings started popping up everywhere, and we thought, "Well, maybe there's some truth to it." Though it doesn't really affect us.
GS: We already know about accelerometers and gyroscopes, but what's a magnetometer?
SM: A magnetometer decides on its orientation and tells you its position relative to the Earth's magnetic field.
GS: How sensitive is it? Can it sense the movement of an inch?
SM: Sure. Yeah, it's very precise.
GS: How's the latency for the Darwin? On the Wii, there's a small but noticeable delay between moving the Wii Remote and seeing the onscreen response.
SM: Gamers that have been playing with [the Darwin] have had no visible latency. We have minimal latency because we come from a very different space where we were originally a sports product and technology company. In that space, where you're doing real-time athletic measurements, you really can't have any latency.
If you look at Motus' company, we were born out of this very high-end, scientific tool, and we brought it down the slope to gaming where the application isn't as, I don't want to say brutal, but I'm probably going to find out that it is, but just not as tough. At the high end you're taking tour athletes in golf and other sports and you really have to worry about their minute concerns, and it's a little less so in games, let's just say that.
GS: Would you say that the Darwin hardware would be less powerful or precise than your golf peripheral?
SM: No, believe it or not, it's the exact same stuff--it's very similar to what we've done in our golf technology applications. We've added buttons and created a new set of software, but it's based on similar technology.
GS: You must have a high polling rate on the controller to be able to accurately detect a golf swing.
SM: That's correct, the resolution is exceptionally high. Everything occurs in a second and a half.
GS: Could you bring that over to the consoles?
SM: It would be overkill for consoles, but, yes, you could. I don't know if people would want that granular level of data, but it's available to them if they want it.
GS: But wouldn't it be nice to play a game of, say, Top Spin tennis where the game can actually detect your grip and model your swing perfectly?
SM: I think so. One of the nice things that we like about the Wii is that it's really paved the way for us to do this. We started in this space years ago, back in 2000-2001. We thought of a game controller, of a Star Wars lightsaber, but people didn't believe in it. Wii has done a fantastic job for us. Thirty million Wiis later and they've created a market, and now you're seeing some real response to what we're doing.
GS: One of the biggest challenges for any third-party peripheral manufacturer is generating software support. How do you guys plan on getting games to support the Darwin?
SM: Believe it or not, when we came into this space, it wasn't Satayan and his group of guys saying, "Hey, guys. The Wii has done really well. Let's start making game controllers." It was actually a phone call that we got from a publisher. They needed to convert their successful Wii titles over to other platforms, and they felt that the only way to do that was through motion. Almost a year ago to the day, they came to us and asked, "Can you build this for us?" And so, we will be launching a few titles with them over the next few years.
GS: Will you be announcing this partnership soon?
SM: I hope so. Everyone's chomping at the bit, and I feel really bad when I get these phone calls where I can't say anything. Obviously, everyone asks, "Are you working with Microsoft, are you working with Sony, are you working with this company, are you working with that company?" And I'm like, guys, I can't tell you because if I was working with them I'd be under a nondisclosure agreement. You know, we're just really happy to be in this space, and we're honored that people in the gaming industry would ask us to join and create something that I think everyone is going to be happy about.
GS: Many of the people who have played with the Wii have likely noticed that the controller tracking could stand to be crisper and more accurate. The Wii Remote was a good start, but it seems as though we'll need a more powerful controller to get the motion-control games we want to play.
SM: I'm honored that you feel that way. Everyone we talk to expects us to bash the Wii, and all I can say are good things about them. I think they've done so many wonderful things on so many wonderful levels. There are kids, American kids like myself, that now have a way to not be fat anymore, and that's fantastic. It's fantastic that you can get kids off the couch and get them moving. I think they've done a wonderful job. We're just ready to take it to the next level.
GS: You're not ready to talk about software partnerships yet, but can you talk about availability and pricing?
SM: We think that the target price will be between $79 and $100, and that will range a little based on what it's bundled with, and our launch goal will be this spring--again, it's going to be partner-dependent, where they see their games coming out, that sort of thing, but that's our goal here at Motus.
GS: Thanks, Satayan!
"I think it should be a lot closer to the Darwin. It's still missing the magnetometers, so it's still a system that needs that IR strip to figure out where it is, whereas the Darwin is completely self-contained. http://www.vcao.net If I'm not mistaken, there were a number of postings and blogs, and we've been hearing through our friends and family, so to speak, that the Wii MotionPlus was a response to the Darwin"
2 Darwins locked end to end = Double Bladed Lightsaber? :P
Some things you may have missed. Obviously the white units with the A button are for the 360 and the black units with the X button are for the PS3 . As has been suggested you obviously get two units in a pack, one with an analogue thumb stick and one with a D pad. If you look closely at the handle of the D pad unit in photo #2 and photo #3 you'll notice that the units also clip together forming one long unit as seen in photo #1. Both units have a trigger button and a "shoulder" button. There seems to be battery level indicators on both units. What troubles me is the ergonomics of the handles. That could get very uncomfortable for anyone playing continuously for more than 30 minutes.
This could be revolutionary.
Cool....simply...cool
I look forward to this. hopefully then Ill have just one system that takes care of all gaming experiences.
There are kids, American kids like myself, that now have a way to not be fat anymore..... there was always a way to not be fat. you just had to play a little bit of sports now and then >.>
I think these look awesome. I'd love it if Redsteel or No More Heroes came out on PS3, my parent's would never see me again.
this controller is way better and the wii motes suck they have a huge lag and have only like five button within reach for my rather normal hands - if this means motion control crysis with no lag then i would pay one hundred and fifty dollars for it
"Sure they'll be able to bring motion-based games to other platforms...but moms aren't going to shell out $80 to $100 for these controllers...which should be the target market. You've got a sophisticated but overpriced niche product Motus." Wait a minute.....Wii motes + Nun Chuck is approx anywhere from $60 to $80. Did you think the controllers for the Wii were all free or something? I'd rather pay for the controller for the PS3/X360 and get the few motion control games then have to buy two consoles to get a complete gaming experience. Anyone who says the Wii is a complete gaming experience are lieing to themselves.
"... Lucas I'm your father..." It's looks like some of remote controls of 'something' like in Sci-Fi movies (SG1,STrack,..). It may be prototype of those in future... Maybe should...
But... why have Wii games on other consoles? Just get a Wii? O_o
Wow surprises me it will be the fall of nintendo
Sure they'll be able to bring motion-based games to other platforms...but moms aren't going to shell out $80 to $100 for these controllers...which should be the target market. You've got a sophisticated but overpriced niche product Motus.
I find it funny that these guys are going to try and get away with copying the Wii remote, yet no one wonders why companies like Madcatz aren't making their own versions of the controller. Simple fact, they don't have the technology or the balls to copy an idea that Nintendo has put so many patents on. Developers won't jump on this for the 360 and PS3 because it's not the mandatory input device for those consoles. I could see it getting niche attention among PC gamers as well as independent developers and the homebrew console market, however I would never expect it to become mainstream.
If they don't make this capable of working with existing Xbox360, PS3 and PC games through some sort of software interface, it fails. They should already have software similar to Switchblade, XBCD and , Logitech Wingman Profiler for the PC. It's the consoles that are the wildcard. Will Microsoft allow them to properly interface these controllers so that you can play a round of Halo 3 with them, for example?
Reply to AdamCable: I'm of course looking forward the "Darwin"(because I'm not a great fan of Nintendos Wii, whitch mostly contains games for kids), but wouldn't it be a bit weird if every platform could do the same thing as each other: PC with controllers, Consoles with mouse and keyboard ect.?
no pointer no way.
well... like they said the Wii controllers were a good start... but Nintendo is releasing Wii Motion Plus... so it'll keep it up to speed to anything Motus can make...
The remote costs so much lol... This is pretty cool though, because now every type of game on any platform or even the computer can have a wireless game!
If its a good idea take it and improve on it! They should have done this ages ago... (They should also have some kind of keyboard and mouse combo for FPS.) If they don't make products the best they can be then someone else will. Who cares about originality! Sometimes there is a best way to do things and you just have to accept that...
lilldavid, I think you're wrong about Nintendo stealing this idea. Although it's true that Motus has been using motion controls for 8 years now. Nintendo was the first to implement motion controls on any platfrom. This will be the first time Motus has applied their motion controls to any big time gaming system. So I don't think any ideas were "stolen". However I am looking forward to this since, let's face it. The Wii's motion sensors are little less precise as most of us would like.
great i just hope they can do it as good as it sounds
Hannify u stupid c***, they started this before the wiimote, actually nintendo stole this idea from scratch since they have been using this almost 8 years for golf training/aid so the thieves are nintendo more than these guys who invented this themselves. Besides this has a better grip than the wiimote and i hope it's at least a little lighter for my kids sake since the wiimote is kind of heavy after u played call of duty or metroid for half a day ^_^
ghostman89: Are you dumb!?!? They said they started this ages ago, around 2000-2001 that was before wii time dude, so they did not steal they invented this idea. Sony had this in their idea when they started working on the ps3 so they did not steal either since ps3 has been in development for some time though the "real" motion sensor is the Wii they don't have the legal rights for it since it can be made in many different ways and besides, all good consoles/computer deserves this new type of gaming because of all the good games will get even better and more realistic feelings to it when u are bashing a germans head in medal of honor as example or maybe using dual guns and fire in each direction in Max Payne 3 :P who knows what they can do with games if they use this technology! I say Great Work! and hope it's coming soon. Though i want an option in every game so u can choose whether or not to use motion sensor control/keyboard/gamepad.
I can't wait.
theres going to be an awesome game that uses this controller very well for me to buy it
Very cool, It has great potential.
IT WILL NEVER REPLACE ORIGINAL PS3 CONTROL, IT'S JUST A ADD-ON, GREAT ADD-ON! BUT WE REALY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT BE REALLY USEFUL LIKE RZ350R SAID! I TRULY WANNA BUY, BUT NOT NOW, MAYBE IN A FEW YEARS!
[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]
intresting... but there will be better things than this soon therefore i will not spend 75 to 100 dollars on this
When i bought my Wii at launch this was the type of thing i had in mind, since that's the way Nintendo and game publisher's marketed it, not as precise as this device but Ubisoft were talking about accurate sword swing's for red steel etc, but really the Wii has been a disapointment to me as a gaming platform. I like the idea of motion control, precise motion control for golf game's, tennis game's etc but for shooter's,driving game's adventure game's etc i think the control pad/mouse and keyboard will always be the to go IMO. Waggling your hand back and forth in zelda was not innovation IMO and it was not more immersive than using a controller again just my opinion.
the pic of the black remotes, you can see the stick control on the left one and the direction pad ont he right. it looks like they come in a set of 2!
It looks brilliant and I love how precise it appears to be, its a shame the wii is not soo precise, but it was the first so still gets the credit. The only problem I see with it is wheres the nunchuk? You cant play an FPS purely with that.
yeh it looks good but even if this does come out i will still play the wii i don't understand where the buttons are and how many come in a pack when i get that sort of info i'll buy it but i don't know if i will before
Dude, this sounds AWESOME! I just hope they make a star wars game with it. It would be even cooler if they made a headset type thing to go with it. You know, kinda like the virtual boy, but in full 3d. That would make fps games just like you're actually in the game!
stfu hannify you dumb ass, this is small company that is trying to give gamers more options and possibly save them some money and improve thier general gaming experience, yea lets sue they ass!!! wii and mario games ftw!!(sarcasm) i hope they release this with some good games that actuly implement this technology in a FUN way not just wiggle the remote crap that nintendo keeps spewing out to cash in
bluddy microsoft stealin the wii's ideas think of your own stuff u lazy (cencored message)
cool, this is what we need, because the Wii right now is such a gimmick and there's very little actually worthy games on that console, and certainly none that make good use of the inaccurate wiimotes
they should co-release the ligthsaber thingy with some new star wars game, i'd buy it!!!!!
Bring it over to the PC and make games that take advantage of it. Imagine the Jedi Knight series with this or maybe if they port Star wars: Force unleashed, that might be good. Oblivion would be a good candidate or the witcher too.
i like copy only if is better that original. Do you?
looks like a lightsaber
totally agreed with GhostyMcboo hahahhaha
bevmo should use his own face for his avatar. GEEZ EVER HEARD OF ORIGINALITY?
Bevmo, they said it for themselves, they got their ideas from da Wii and just making it better thats all. they aren't even orignally a gaming company, someone asked them to do it! so please read the entire article before u say n e more crap.
Bevmo, they said it for themselves, they got their ideas from da Wii and just making it better thats all. they aren't even orignally a gaming company, someone asked them to do it! so please read the entire article before u say n e more crap.
Awesome
We're just short of mature Force-feedback technology to make light-sabres a reality at this stage. ;-)
I wonder why some people here are so closed minded... if somebody will give me a device that is better than what i have been using, i welcome that. To the people that are saying they copied Nintendo, this technology is ancient so nintendo did not really made anything revolutionary, they just implemented old technology in a new way. PS. i will be getting a couple of these.
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