Full body motion tracking

By Paxton Loffler

Juniper Research, a market analyst, calls wearables the next smart thing and estimates the
market to reach $1.5 billion by 2014. IHS IMS Research estimates the wearables market for
infotainment, fitness, wellness and healthcare to reach $6 billion by 2016. (Xsens, 2012)
As part of a broader strategy, Xsens now offers IP originally developed for professional (B2B)
applications of 3D body motion tracking using wearable motion trackers for mass market
application in the consumer electronics industry. Xsens has supplied 3D body motion tracking
technology for Hollywood productions such as Ted, John Carter, X-Men, The Avengers and
many more. Job Elders, SVP of Strategic Alliances at Xsens; In addition to Xsens firm
commitment to continue to serve our customers in professional movement science, film VFX and
game development, we are now reaching out to partners looking to create next-generation
consumer experiences using proven wearable 3D body motion tracking technology in sports,
fitness, healthcare and gaming. (Xsens, 2012)
When we think of full-body motion capture, we most often associate it with movie-grade
equipment that demands a dedicated room, odd-looking suits and a corporate bank account to
finance it all. Xsens hints that we may not have to rent a professional studio (or stand in front
of a Kinect) to get complete body tracking for personal use. It's planning to show a wearable,
3D-capable tracking system at CES that uses "consumer grade" MEMS sensors to monitor joint
positions and movement -- in other words, the kind of technology that might go into a phone's
accelerometer, just strapped to our arms and legs. Further details are scarce, although Xsens is
pressing for uses in everything from fitness to gaming. We'd like to see partners line up so that
there's a product we can buy in a store. Until then, we'll have to make do with the company's
skateboard-dominated teaser clip, which you can find after the break. (Fingas, 2016)

(Berkowitz, 2013)

(Anchors, 2015)
Motion capture offers several advantages over traditional computer animation of a 3D model:

Low latency, close to real time, results can be obtained. In entertainment applications this
can reduce the costs of keyframe-based animation. The Hand Overtechnique is an example
of this.
The amount of work does not vary with the complexity or length of the performance to the
same degree as when using traditional techniques. This allows many tests to be done with
different styles or deliveries, giving a different personality only limited by the talent of the
actor.
Complex movement and realistic physical interactions such as secondary motions, weight
and exchange of forces can be easily recreated in a physically accurate manner.
The amount of animation data that can be produced within a given time is extremely large
when compared to traditional animation techniques. This contributes to both cost
effectiveness and meeting production deadlines.[7]
Potential for free software and third party solutions reducing its costs. (Wikipedia, 2016)

Bibliography
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/davidberkowitz/ces-2013-the-year-of-theconnected-brand-consumer-electronics-show-recap/116Xsens_demos_wearable_3D_body
Anchors. (2015, May 21). Project Concept: Media Analyser. Retrieved November 14, 2016, from
Maker Monday: The Internet of Clothes:
http://makermondaybrum.tumblr.com/post/119511997956/project-concept-mediaanalyser
Berkowitz, D. (2013, January 24). Slideshare. Retrieved November 9, 2016, from
http://www.slideshare.net/davidberkowitz/ces-2013-the-year-of-the-connected-brandconsumer-electronics-show-recap/116-Xsens_demos_wearable_3D_body:
http://www.slideshare.net/davidberkowitz/ces-2013-the-year-of-the-connected-brandconsumer-electronics-show-recap/116-Xsens_demos_wearable_3D_body
Fingas, J. (2016). Xsens teases wearable 3D body sensors that won't cost, will track an arm and a
leg (video). Retrieved November 9, 2016, from engadget:
https://www.engadget.com/2012/12/23/xsens-teases-low-cost-wearable-3d-bodysensors/
Wikipedia. (2016, November 8). Motion Capture. Retrieved November 14, 2016, from
wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_capture
Xsens. (2012, December 20). Demonstration of worlds first wearable 3D body motion tracking
system based on consumer grade MEMS sensors at International CES. Retrieved
November 9, 2016, from Xsens: https://www.xsens.com/press-releases/demonstrationworlds-first-wearable-3d-body-motion-tracking-system-based-consumer-grade-memssensors-international-ces/