Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
07:27
Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty
Published on: October 6, 2016
Evaluation of sensors for inputting data in exergames for the elderly
Santiago Hors-Fraile1, James Browne, Ellen Brox
1Northern Research Institute, Tromsø, Norway - Salumedia, Sevilla, Spain.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|August 8, 2013
Summary
For elderly-focused PC exergames, the Microsoft Kinect camera is superior to Nintendo Wii controllers. This research aids developers in selecting the best motion sensor for accessible, open-source gaming applications.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Computer Science
Background:
- Exergames offer health benefits for the elderly, but require suitable motion sensors.
- Choosing appropriate off-the-shelf technology for PC-based exergames is challenging for researchers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the most suitable motion sensor for PC open-source exergames targeting elderly users.
- To compare the performance and usability of leading motion sensing technologies.
Main Methods:
- Market research identified two primary candidates: Nintendo Wii controllers and Microsoft Kinect camera.
- A demo implementation evaluated sensor accuracy in movement detection and addressed software-related issues.
Main Results:
- The Microsoft Kinect camera demonstrated superior accuracy and suitability for exergames compared to Nintendo Wii controllers.
- Software integration and usability factors also favored the Kinect system.
Conclusions:
- The Microsoft Kinect camera is the recommended motion sensor for developing PC open-source exergames for the elderly.
- This finding can streamline technology selection for researchers in this field.
