Subscribe
This program allows you to use the Wii Remote (Wiimote) to turn any surface into a Low-Cost Interactive Whiteboard. It is based on Johnny Lee’s original WiimoteWhiteboard program that is written in C# and available for Windows only. My program uses Java to allow for (some) platform-independence. I also provide a Mac-only version since I’m a Mac user and this is, up to my knowledge, currently the only such program for the Mac. For Windows only, Boon Jin has enhanced Johnny’s software and created the shareware program Smoothboard. There is also a SourceForge project that provides other implementations, but it is not getting much attention.
Check out the video and the other cool projects at Johnny Lee’s page if you have no idea what I’m talking about 
.
Features in a nutshell
- Open source
- Runs on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux
- Simple User Interface available in English, Estonian, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovene, and Spanish
- Camera Monitor and Calibration Details for better Wiimote placement
- Auto-connects up to 2 Wiimotes
- Right-click support, double-click assistance
- Mouse cursor smoothing
- Screen selection
- Touchpad Mode
- Update notification
- TUIO/OSC support for multitouch applications
More details in the Wiki.
Download (1.0.3)
Some example videos
Documentation & Support
You can post your comments, bug reports, feature requests, etc. at the bottom of this page. The latest documentation is available in the Wiki. You can also find out how you can help.
The wiimoteproject.com forums are a great resource for everything Wiimote. You may use this subforum to discuss everything related to my software. The Smoothboard Wiki also contains useful information for setting up your interactive whiteboard.
Infrared pens
You need a source of infrared (IR) light to use the software. Many people build their own IR pens for that purpose, usually by retrofitting some sort of marker. You’ll find all you need to know here. I started with a simple IR pen made from a battery clip.
There are also IR pens for sale if you don’t want to build one yourself. Several vendors sell different models, the IR Pen marketplace is a good place to get an overview.
You can use the coupon code uwe if you buy from IRPensOnline.com. This will give you a discount of $2 and I’ll get $1.
Compatibility
I only heard of few problems on Mac OS X, using the built-in stack. I also got reports from users who got the program running on Windows using either the Widcomm or BlueSoleil stack. It seems like Widcomm works better, see this post about BlueSoleil. You need to use the BlueZ stack on Linux, see the Wiki or this post for further instructions.
Issue on PowerPC Macs (excerpt from the WiiRemoteJ-README):
Note for Mac OS X PowerPC (PPC) users: you will have to delete the Wii Remote from your previous devices list in System Preferences->Bluetooth->Devices after each connection (every time you connect a given Wii Remote). Even then, the outgoing connection will still fail every other time. There is some sort of bug relating to HCI devices and Apple’s library. Luckily, it was fixed for the Intel Macs.
Further details can be found in the Wiki or the help files bundled with the application.
Hi John,
I answered here.
Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe
Hi Alex,
I get what you’re saying and you’re right, my software doesn’t behave like most touchpads in this regard. Touchpad mode in my app just alters the mouse move-and-click behavior, i.e. the left mouse cursor is only pressed when the IR pen is “double-tapped”, if you know what I mean. Otherwise, activating the IR pen just moves the mouse cursor around.
I’ll add your suggestion to my TODO list for a future release.
Uwe
Hi Brendan,
there are a couple solutions to this problem. Please see Tom Sextro’s blog and this detailed HOWTO for schools.
There should be no need to repeat the calibration process each time. My app auto-loads the last calibration, which should work just fine as long as the relative locations of the Wiimote and the screen don’t change.
Uwe
I downloaded the mac version and it installed great, I was able to get the calibration done perfectly and it works great when using it as a mouse. The problem I am having is using it as a whiteboard? How do I do this? I don’t see how to do this. can you help me? Please. Did I miss something?
This program is working fantastic on Snow Leopard. It’s actually a Gateway, but I haven’t run windows on this thing for years. I have installed on my wife’s laptop for classroom trial. She is a 3-4 grade teacher, and they can’t afford professional whiteboards in each room. I appreciate all your hard work. Thanks again.
Hi Don,
I think you didn’t miss anything. My program only enables you to use an IR pen as a mouse. You need additional software of your choice to actually use it as a whiteboard.
Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe
So, I’ve downloaded the program here and am playing with it, but I’m wondering if there is now, or is in the works, a version that will enable annotation – drawing and writing – on the whitescreen. Thanks, A
Downloaded the WiiMote Whiteboard app and had to add a GoGear Bluetooth for iBook G4. Got Desktastic and the whole thing works beautifully. Tried to use a third party Wii remote, but could not every get Uwe’s app to connect. Genuine Wii remote works every time.
BTW first several times the connection would fail first try and then connect on second try. Now the connection is good first try every time. Thanks so very much, Uwe.
Hi – finally got my mac to sync up with the WiiRemote and NOT to the built in bluetooth. Currently running 10.5.8 on an Intel MacBook. I have bluetooth ON with the “Discoverable” turned OFF. It connects the easiest if I reboot and do it once.
Problem: After I connect, it completely locks out my system cursor. I can’t click on Calibrate, infact, when I move the Wii remote around it twitches my Mouse… will occasionally go into Calibration mode, highlight a few spots randomly, and then close it out. It thinks it’s picking up IR spots, when I haven’t used my pen or anything yet.
It’s frustrating, cuz now it’s connected, but it renders my machine useless.. and all I can do is Quit the app and start over.
First, what SHOULD I expect to happen after it properly connects. Second, what might be the reason it’s behaving the way it is?
I really appreciate the help, as I’m very excited to get this fired up!!
Steve
Changes
* Added Polish localization
Uwe
Hi Andrea,
please see this post for my opinion on this topic. Also see these two posts for some more recommendations of drawing and annotation programs: 1, 2.
Uwe
Hi Steve,
from your description it sounds like there’s some stray IR light, such as sunlight or light bulbs. Try to cover the front of the Wiimote and see if the random mouse movements persist. If not, you’ve found the problem.
My app is however only controlling the mouse cursor if it has at least once been successfully calibrated in the past. Then the last calibration configuration is loaded upon Wiimote connection.
Uwe
Hi Uwe – Thanks for the response. I’ll definitely try to reconnect with the front covered…
Regarding…
Then the last calibration configuration is loaded upon Wiimote connection.
I actually was thinking that maybe there was a saved calibration somewhere. I was scanning my drive to see if a pref file had been created that I could purge and start from scratch. Where are those configs stored?
Thanks,
Steve
We have tried the software with a whiteboard and an Intel Mac and have had success. Today we tried to use a television set. The calibration appeared to work fine; however we could not draw on the screen or use the infrared pen to move windows around or any of the things we have done easily in the whiteboard setup. It should work on any surface, correct? We have the computer connected to the TV via a VGA cable. The wiimote is on the ceiling pointing to the TV and we’re using an infrared pen. Any ideas on what the problem could be?
I think one of the problems I am running into is that the mac’s built in Bluetooth software continues to Connect with the Wii remote, creating a conflict with the Wii software. How do I keep Bluetooth enabled on my mac so the Wiimote software works, but not have it try to connect to the remote?
The issue may be caused by the surface of the television set.
Is the surface glossy? If so, the IR light might not be dispersed towards the Wiimote and thus you are unable to have good tracking.
To solve this issue, you may try to place the Wiimote directed at angle where the IR light you feel will be reflected. Also, placing the Wiimote at an acute angle towards the plane of the screen may also help in your scenario. This will enable the Wiimote to capture the IR light directly from the tip of the IR pen instead of a reflection.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Boon Jin
Just wanted to send a few comments on my progress, and maybe we can narrow down the issue. I’ve now tried two different Wii remotes on several different machines and still running in problems getting the remotes to calibrate and not behave erratically.
I’ve tried on multiple Intel Macs running 10.4.11-10.5.8. I also tried one of our remaining Dual-G5 Macs (running 10.4.11), to see if it was a problem with the Intel Mac.
The process I’ve been following is:
1. Start up Mac (so I know it’s a fresh start)
2. Turn system Bluetooth to ON
3. Launch Wiimote Whiteboard
4. Press the 1+2 buttons on the front (or the red button under battery hatch). Watch the log, and usually the first or second time it connects.
5. Press “Calibrate” with my system mouse
6. If I move the remote to point it at the screen, it automatically selects all the √ marks so that I don’t even have an opportunity to use my IR-pen. If I don’t move it and I try to use my IR-Pen, it doesn’t read it and none of the spots are selected.
7. Most subsequent attempts to reconnect the Wii Remote fail, they make it as far as “calibrating accelerometers” and typically, it means that the system Bluetooth is connecting to the remote and not the .app.
I’m kind of at a stand still now, and kind of frustrated. It’s working for some of you so, if there is any insight you can offer, it’s really appreciated!!
Stephen
Hi, I want to use your program (0.9.7) on my computer that has Vista 64 bit Ultimate OS installed. I can’t get the connection working between your program and the wiimote. It’s working with other programs such as Johnny Chung Lee’s program, Smoothboard etc. Your program seems better and I just want to know how I’m going to connect the wiimote so It can be discovered in your program. I’m using a broadcom bluetooth dongle to connect the Wiimote to the computer. In the How to use readme it says that I shoudn’t. Well, how am I supposed to connect it then ? I’ve tried to get the WiimoteJ to work on Vista but it doesn’t. ( For me )
So the question is, How should I connect it so it can be discovered in your program & so I don’t get any more error messages that say ” Wiimote failed to connect, Not supported in Winsock”
( Connection failed, please try again.)
Thank you!
Hope to get an answer soon so I can use it! Because I just love the wiimote whiteboard.
I noticed that a new version of the wii-mote whiteboard software was posted to the site.
What are added or modified features? I am using Mac OS X (10.6.1 Snow Leopard).
Ken W.
Hi, i have the same problem in my both OS; i have Linux Ubuntu 9.4 & Windows XP SP2…
I have the same problems like you and i think it happens by some java libraries, One library who i think makes this kind of problem is the javax.bluetooth.*;: this library cames with the javax.obex too…so, i really can’t knowing if the problem is make it by my hardware or Operative system or just for my WiiMote controler… can’t know actually.
Perhaps if i try installing this librarys the probles could be cleared.
I hope my info can help you…if isn’t, i hope we can send us info to be capable to finish this job..the wiimote project…
p.s.: sorry about my translation because my language is spanish. Ok, have a nice day
After spending quite a few hours trying to get this thing to work, it occurred to me that most of you might have Wii remote you got with your Wii system. Since I picked up a couple from some random person on eBay (saved a few bucks), I thought maybe I should try one of my neighbors. Amazingly enough it worked right from the start! Visually there isn’t anything different from theirs vs what I bought. Other than the sticker on the bottom with Japanese characters on it. Clearly mine was some import, but it’s “official” Nintendo merchandise.
I made a trade with my neighbor after confirming that my remote does in fact work with an actual Wii, just not so much with Mac Bluetooth adapters. SO – it’s up and running and now I can start to tinker.
Next question, I’m noticing some sluggishness within a few apps. It almost seems like whatever processing is being done is dogging my machine enough to make photoshop, well, a little slow on the brush. This is odd, since I have a Quad-Core Intel and a hefty graphics card. Even more strange, it actually effects my normal mouse, but as soon as I shut off Wiimote Whiteboard, it returned to normal. Are other people experiencing this? It might just be good ole Java grinding away…
I had that problem too after downloading the latest version. But I had used it a few times before that with success, and just now it’s having problems. I don’t thinks it’s a problem with the latest version.
Hi Steve,
I’m using the Java Preferences API in my application. Where the preference files are actually stored is up to that API and also platform-dependent. On my Mac, they’re in the folder /Users/uwe/Library/Application Support/WiimoteWhiteboard.
Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe
Hi Andreas,
my app unfortunately doesn’t work with the “winsock” stack, please see this post.
Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe
Hi Ken,
I’ve added Polish localization, hence nothing’s different for most users.
You can see the Changelog in the integrated application help or the wiki.
Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe
Hi Stephen,
I have no idea how my application (actually the WiiRemoteJ library) deals with “Wiimote clones”. They may look like Wiimotes, but the software on them obviously isn’t the same as the original by Nintendo.
What do you mean by sluggish? Is the mouse cursor just lagging behind a bit, or does your CPU load go up and therefore slow down other apps?
If the mouse cursor is just a little slow, try disabled Smoothing in the Mouse Control preferences and see if the behavior persists.
Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe
Hi,
did you realize that the post you’ve replied too was from November 2008?
Anyway, try deleting the Wiimote from the list of known Bluetooth devices in the Mac’s System Preferences.
Uwe
I am Technology Director in a School district, and this past summer I installed 50 wiimote whiteboard setups, and they are working great. WiiMotes are permanently mounted to projectors and hard wired for power. Had to fabricate 18-24 inch wands as all of our screens are 8ft screens. Only problem seems to be that Mac will sometimes pick up wiimote in an adjacent room instead of the one in the room where the teacher is working. An ideas?
I just installed WiimoteWhiteboard, tested it with bright LED first, then a standard remote. Finally I swapped a red LED in a keychain light for a IR LED taken from a junk remote control!
It works great with my 24″ monitor (with OS X 10.5 on a Mac Mini). I had some fun testing it with online whiteboard webapp twiddla.com
One thing that I nearly missed is the mis-labelled, IMHO, «Touchpad mode».
I think it’s an important feature for some use cases (when hover is important in app or website), but it’s hidden because of the name.
I discovered by accident what that setting was doing, reading the comments — I had searched it in the settings just 2 minutes before, without luck!
A label along the lines of:
«Move cursor mode — hold to move cursor, double-press to click»
would be more than enough to help users discover that feature.
I think for most of the users, Touchpad = Relative mode, versus absolute mode. Wacom and other tablet drivers use this terminology, if I’m not mistaken.
All in all, it’s a great app, and I can’t wait to put it to some use in a teaching situation — with a better IR pen needless to say
Thought I’d pile on with everybode else
You’ve done some fantastic work here UWE and I for one really appreciate it. I’ve got my project all lined up now. I’m building a gaming cabinet/table with using a 2′x4′ piece of acrylic w/diffuser. The projector is underneath the table (I’ll be using a mirror to bounce the image.
I was curious if anyone has tried a FTIR or LLP system instead of an IR Pen? I presume that as long as the IR wavelength (be it from an LED or Laser) is sufficiently strong for the Wiimote to see (anything from 850 to 940 I think) it ought to work?
-Yad