Wii Balance Board

The Wii Balance Board is a wireless pressure-sensitive Nintendo Wii peripheral for use with dynamic game activities, including aerobics, yoga, muscle stretches and games, such as Wii Fit and We Ski . It is shaped like a household body scale, with a white top and light grey bottom, and is capable of measuring your weight and body balance.

There are a number of "hacks," or modifications, that individuals have made to Wii balance boards. Although the hacks usually break the board's warranty, enterprising tech geeks have used the boards to control Roomba vacuums, surf Google Earth, function as a drum kit and much more.Balance Board Blog: Wii Balance Board Hacks List

A few criticisms have been levied at the Wii Balance board and some of the games that use the hardware. A woman in Britian complained when the game Wii Fit told her that, because her body mass index was above the average limit, that she was fat. Doctors are also concerned about tears, pulls, and other strain injuries as people who have not exercised before begin to use the balance board.AZ Central: Wii Fit fun, but pace yourself, doctors warn (June 4, 2008)