TiltRide

Two browser games steered by tilting your MacBook. A small Python server reads the Mac's built-in IMU (gyroscope + accelerometer) and streams roll/pitch over WebSocket; the games subscribe and use it as input.

Tested on a MacBook Air M4 (Apple Silicon, macOS).

Files

• imu_server.py — reads the Bosch BMI286 IMU via macimu and broadcasts tilt at 60 Hz on ws://localhost:8765
• bike_game.html — endless bike-riding game; lean left/right to steer
• marble_tilt.html — marble-in-a-maze game; tilt in any direction to roll

Both pages also accept keyboard input (arrow keys) so they work without the server running.

Setup

python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install macimu websockets

Run

The IMU server needs root to open the IOKit HID device:

sudo .venv/bin/python3 imu_server.py

Hold the Mac flat during the ~1 s calibration, then open one of the HTML files directly in a browser. The page connects to the WebSocket automatically.

Controls

bike_game.html

• Tilt left/right (or arrow keys) to steer
• Space — action (see in-game prompt)
• I — invert tilt direction

marble_tilt.html

• Tilt in any direction (or arrow keys) to roll the marble

Axis reference

With the MacBook lying flat, screen up, hinge away from you:

axis	meaning
accel.x	left/right (positive = right side down)
accel.y	front/back (positive = front tilted down)
accel.z	up/down (≈ -1 g when flat)

Roll and pitch are derived from the accelerometer; raw gyro values are also included in the WebSocket payload for future use.