By
BYPASSING MAGNETIC INTERFERENCE:
THE WORLD’S FIRST ‘MOCAP ANYWHERE’ SOLUTION
By REMO SIKKEMA
Tracking systems are frequently used to record
and resource movement down to the most minute
detail – whether for film, TV, video games or even
sport. However, there have always been limita-
tions on motion capture set ups, largely due to
uncontrollable environmental factors.
Mocap developers are now actively testing the
world’s first truly ‘mocap anywhere’ solution. The
research and development team at Xsens claim
they have managed to overcome the effects of
magnetic distortion on inertial motion capture
data. This groundbreaking development would
enable motion capture in any environment, with
clean, production quality, reliable data – and all
without the need for a volume or sensor cameras.
So what is Magnetic distortion? Inertial mocap
solutions are powered by sensor fusion technol-
ogy, using input from gyroscopes, accelerometers
and magnetometers. As such, Xsens’ own MVN
suits are completely mobile, enabling motion
30 • Broadcast Beat Magazine • www.broadcastbeat.com
capture without the need for cameras, stages, or
sticky balls. Showcased at E3 2017, the new MVN
suit can track movement just about anywhere –
even throughout extreme sports like skydiving or
mountain biking.
Albeit cheaper and easier than a stationary
mocap stage, the problem with portable motion
capture is its susceptibility to magnetic distortion
– a previously uncontrollable environmental fac-
tor. The presence of metal can corrupt captured
data, necessitating a whole lot of clean-up.
Resolving magnetic interference will have huge
ripples across motion capture studios and tech-
nology providers worldwide. Mobile mocap has a
huge range of applications in the sporting, auto-
motive, ergonomics and entertainment spheres.
Xsens’ mocap solution is currently in closed
beta, with a release planned for November 2017.
In other words, the technology is right now