More Wii Fit Balance Board hacks keep rolling in from Europe. We’re not sure we agree with [Juan Gonzales]’s assertion that the Wii Fit Balance board is the best way to control robots, but we can’t deny how fun it looks. [Gonzales] managed to control a robot of his own design with the balance board, making it turn when he leans to the sides and moving forward and back when he leans in those directions.

The robot, which he calls SkyBot, is fairly impressive in its own right, built from a PIC microcontroller and featuring various infrared sensors and 6 contact sensors. The robot’s OS can be controlled from Windows, OS X, or Linux, but for this project, they used Debian. The balance board interfaces with a laptop connected to SkyBot; custom software (tar.gz file) to make this work was written in python, and is available on [Gonzales]’s robot wiki, as well as instructions on how to build a SkyBot. It is in Spanish, however, so fire up Google Translate and get to work.

If you want a channel with the balance board tools (so you won't have to go from HBC), here is a dol file forwarding to the app dol file. Just make it a channel (in some way, I didn't make one so it wont be mistaken for warez) and install it in the usual way. Talk about the.

[via Balance Board Blog]

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The Wii Balance Board was first sold on December 1, 2007 as an accessory for the Nintendo Wii and Wii U game consoles.

The balance board will not power on.

No matter what you do, you can't get your balance board to turn on.

If it's been a while or you have never changed the batteries in your balance board, then they may need replacing.

The corrosion from batteries can build up and break the connections between the batteries and the battery terminals. Rub the corroded battery terminals with a Q-tip dipped in vinegar or lemon juice to break apart the corrosion. Apply a bit of baking soda and wipe away the corrosion. Make sure to wash your hands well since the corrosion will irritate your skin.

If your balance board is still not turning on even after replacing the batteries and cleaning out any corrosion, then the battery compartment is probably faulty. You can follow our battery compartment replacement guide here.

The plastic cover is damaged.

'The white plastic cover for your balance board has a big crack or is significantly warped.'

If your balance board is cracked or warped and interferes with using or playing games with it, then you can follow our White Top Replacement guide here.

The balance board isn't responding to correct movement.

'When you step left, the balance board thinks you stepped right.'

If your movements on the balance board are not being recorded properly, then you may need to re-calibrate your machine. Upon start-up, any of the games that require a balance board will prompt you to calibrate your machine. Follow the onscreen instructions. When calibrating your balance board, try using as little weight as possible; you can press down with both your hands or use two handheld weights for instance.

If you find that only a portion of the foot sensors are working (i.e. the balance board recognizes when you step left but not right), then you should take a look at our guide to replacing the foot sensors.

The balance board is always turning off randomly.

'You're randomly playing a game and the balance board powers down.'

Nintendo Wii Balance Board Only

If you are playing a game and the balance board shuts off, then it might be that the battery connection is breaking. First check to make sure your balance board is running on fresh batteries. You also want to ensure the battery terminals are not corroded. If the problem persists, then you might need to replace the battery compartment.

You can follow our disassembly guide to access the motherboard. Before touching the motherboard, ground yourself by touching the metal frame of the balance board to prevent electrical damage. Check to make sure there is no physical damage to the motherboard (burns, breaks, dented parts, corrosion etc.). Go to our guide for the motherboard replacement.

One or more of the balance board feet broke off.

'You accidentally dropped the balance board and one of the feet breaks off.'

Wii Balance Board Hack Machine

A guide to replacing the balance board feet can be found here.

The balance board isn't recognizing the proper weight.

'The balance board thinks you're light as a feather.'

Wii Balance Board Games List

The foot sensors will eventually wear out after time from use. A guide to replacing those foot sensors can be found here.