Video: Babies Now Powered By Nintendo

The scientists at Ithaca College have been working hard on what is sure to be mankind's greatest invention: a Wii Balance Board-powered baby scooter. The "Tots on Bots" project mobilizes infants with disabilities by letting them control the scooters with their weight. The tots steer the bots by leaning in the direction they want to go, but the robots will stop if they sense obstacles with their sonar. Parents can also control the robots with a remote. Our question is, when are they going to make one of these for adults? [Via Engadget]

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By Jaya Saxena in Arts and Events on August 29, 2010 4:00 PM

Comments [rss]

Knickerbocker

This is probably better for giving new kids disabilities.

The chair looks a lot like the Bumbo. That was recalled because parents would place them on a table, then the kid would strain to get out and fall on the floor.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Bumbo-Seat-Recall

Kids have a way of getting out of anything Houdini style. I'm sure it looks safe in the lab, but once you get robobaby home, and the kid starts screaming while the parents are busy TXTing their friends, well, that's how 'accidents' happen.

eflash

this is really unimpressive. this kid is straining out of his seat with all his might and the thing is barely moving.

HD Closed Captioning

Soon we will have those human transporters from Wall-E.

Kelles

I don't really see the practicality in this. What sort of disability would a child have where he can only shift his weight but not move his arms? And if this device is only made for toddlers w/disabilities, what good would it do to have a toddler shift his weight back and forth for only a short while or have the parent 'remote control' operate the child's buggy. Pick your kid up and interact w/him