The Wii Vitality Sensor, which was announced by President and CEO Satoru Iwata at Nintendo's E3 2009 media briefing in June, will be available to gamers at some point in 2010.

The vitality sensor is a fingertip pulse oximeter sensor that connects through the Wii Remote. According to Nintendo, the device "will initially sense the user's pulse and a number of other signals being transmitted by their bodies, and will then provide information to the users about the body’s inner world."

Speaking in a Q&A session with investors yesterday, Iwata elaborated on what the device could be used for.

"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," he enthused.

He continues:

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?" You have all had an experience where you are not in tune with how your body is doing or aware of how exhausted you body may be in a busy, strained period, but if you can visibly measure your condition every day, you can start to see how you're doing."

At first glance the Vitality Sensor seems like a gimmick, but knowing Nintendo, we wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if its new accessory has just as big an impact as Wii Fit.