Nintendo Wii Vitality Sensor Still Puzzles Tech Observers

Nintendo's Vitality sensor, the latest appendage for its uber popular gaming Wii console, is still drawing blanks from a wide range of tech outlets.

Speaking to Fast Company, Reggie Fils-Aime, the Nintendo US Boss, did not make it easier when he failed to deliver some convincing arguments. Unsurprisingly, he pointed out that the software would ultimately be the main reason why anybody would like to buy it.

He told journalist N'gai Croal that "Until you have that software, it's tough to understand. If I told you that you would be standing on an oversized bathroom scale, and having fun doing it, you probably would have said, "Reggie, I don't get it." And yet here we are with the balance board arguably as the third largest development platform across the globe."

The device, which is set to be the equivalent of a body-powered input peripheral, will connect to the Wii console and possibly give you indications about your general welfare and how you can improve your health and lifestyle by exercising - using the Wii Fit for example.

Arguably, this is not the first time that the Nintendo Wii is being considered as a medical device. There are countless examples of the NHS deploying the Wii to help its patients.

Back in February for example, NHS Grampian provided OAPs with Nintendo Wii Fit packages to help them improve their standard of life.

So is the Vitality sensor an idea that could change the fortunes of Nintendo? Well, if well executed, it could be the company's most profitable product yet.

and join more than 1650 other followers