Nintendo’s affable president, Satoru Iwata, says that the much discussed ‘Vitality Sensor’ for Wii will launch “not too late” in 2010.

The Vitality Sensor fits atop a finger and not only measures the player’s pulse but also provides a whole lot more useful information with intriguing functions to match, as Iwata explains in a recent investor Q&A:

"Wii Vitality Sensor has great potential for various applications like measuring how horrified a player is in a horror title. What we are trying to propose first is a videogame with a theme of relaxation, which is completely opposite from traditional ones, to enrich the users' lives."

"What if you were able to visualise how to unwind and relax, or check the condition of your automatic nerve by simply inserting your finger in the device once a day?"

We’ve no idea what Iwata means by the latter but we’re certainly keen to find out. Moreso since testing of the new device is apparently already well underway, with Nintendo employees using the Sensor to monitor their daily stress levels and attempting to make improvements to the condition of their automatic nerve – whatever the flip that is – as necessary.

We’re looking forward to other uses of the Sensor too. Like, maybe, in a stealth/action game where mission success rests on the physical ability to keep cool under pressure, which, of course, is accurately measured throughout. Or maybe having the intensity of in-game music tied to the player’s pulse rate. There are lots of applications when you start to think about it.

Elsewhere in the same report Iwata reveals that 209.5 million people worldwide currently enjoy the Wii or any of the DS iterations and that the current user base may actually double before both consoles reach the end of their lifespan. Speaking of which, it seems that Nintendo is already researching the next generation of hardware but there is unlikely to be any kind of announcement any time soon. Oh well...