Game Controller – Stimulating the Hand Technology

Game controller is an input device that is used to control video games.
They are connected to either a video game console or a computer and is installed to govern the movements or the actions of an entity in the game. The example of a game controller is not confined to joysticks but even keyboard and mouse can serve the purpose of being a game controller.

There are various types of game controller available in the electronic hardware market. Some of the most common ones are game pad, paddle, joysticks, steering wheel for driving games, light gun for shooting games, motion sensing and others. Some devices, such as keyboards and mice, are actually generic input devices and their use is not strictly limited to that of a game controller.

Due to the technological advancements in the electronic markets, these game controllers have become obsolete, thus forcing the game controller manufacturers to bring some more effective and convenient game controlling devices in the markets. To sought this purpose, an Israeli company called 3DV Systems has come up with a Wii video game console that allows one to enjoy any game directly using their hands on the screen. This device unifies a new ZCam, a 3D camera that plugs directly into a PC. The Zcam works by emitting short infrared rays pulses and then measure the reflection of the objects. The sophisticated software algorithms present do the job or interpreting these reflections in a manner that the system is capable of judging distance and secernate between various objects and also someone's hands.


Due to the fact that it is entirely dependent on reflection of the light from the camera, it does require ambient light to work, thus allowing the camera to work effeciently in a dark room as well. This technology has the ability to be autonomously applied to existing software. The vice president of the company Tomer Barel also plaudits that this software can key on in the hands of the gamer, even between the fingers and can run various applications based on what that person does with their head, hands, fingers, or torso.

After proving its mettle in various field including military, this software has its focus for now on video games and how the ZCam technology could make a dent in the traditional interface market. The company is planning to license the technology to the potential console makers like Sony and Microsoft, and is against the idea of selling it directly to the game controller sellers and manufacturers.

This product is very much similar to Sony's eye toy, but the eye toy works in 2D only, therefore limiting their effectiveness for games like boxing only. Barel was also quoted claiming that “The limitation of 2D is that it only can detect motion when it's to the side. It cannot detect motion when the background is yourself." With the benefit of applications beyond the video game, this technologically advanced product can be applied to one's existing product.

Following the footsteps of Nintendo's motion-sensitive Wiimote controller for its Wii video game console, that became a success all over the world, 3DV too is cashing upon its Zcam 3D camera with an aim to move the technology genre forward even further.