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Motion Capture
Xsens delivers motion capture solutions that empower professionals across various industries with precise motion. From creating lifelike characters in animation and video games to optimizing athletic performance, preventing injuries and revolutionizing ergonomics practices, Xsens unlocks a world of possibilities.
![Woman_and_xsesn_avatar_jumping_trans](https://www.xsens.com/hubfs/Woman_and_xsesn_avatar_jumping_trans.png)
Motion Capture Applications Create high-quality animations for game, film, and more
Xsens motion capture offers unmatched precision, ease of use, robustness and reliability. Xsens delivers production-ready data, making it the ideal tool for animators. Data can be live or reprocessed to achieve an even higher level of detail and accuracy. Create an optimized and effecient pipeline using plug-ins for all major 3D engines.
Featured application areas
![gameDev](https://www.movella.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gameDev.jpg?width=1180&height=1000&name=gameDev.jpg)
Motion capture allows game developers to capture human movement, translating them into digital animations for in-game characters. This brings a level of realism and fluidity that other animation methods struggle to achieve. Xsens motion capture systems are perfectly suited for game development studios, offering a streamlined workflow, and effortless integration with game engines.
![Learn more →](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3446270/a6b8272e-ce9e-4e3a-982b-e672aceb3d3a.png)
![motion](https://www.movella.com/hs-fs/hubfs/motion.jpg?width=1180&height=1000&name=motion.jpg)
By capturing the movements of actors, filmmakers can seamlessly integrate characters into their VFX pipeline, either in real-time or for post. Motion capture allows for realistic and believable interactions between actors and digital characters, pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.
![Learn more →](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3446270/2b22b7cf-1474-4de1-9831-f41536b7c115.png)
![virtual_production__hero5](https://www.movella.com/hs-fs/hubfs/virtual_production__hero5.jpg?width=2600&height=1080&name=virtual_production__hero5.jpg)
![Xsens-MVN-Analyze-higres](https://www.movella.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/OGImage/Xsens-MVN-Analyze-higres.png?width=960&name=Xsens-MVN-Analyze-higres.png)
Motion Capture Applications Health, Sports, and Safety
Xsens motion capture is the perfect tools for analyzing human movement for various applications such as sports performance, ergonomic assessments, rehabilitation, and more. Through wearable motion capture systems, specialized software, and automated cloud-based reports, you can capture accurate kinematic data and assess subjects in every environment.
Featured application areas
![Link sports 2](https://www.movella.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Research%20and%20Validation%20papers%20%20docs/Images/Link%20sports%202.jpg?width=4256&height=2832&name=Link%20sports%202.jpg)
Motion capture plays a crucial role in sports biomechanics. By analyzing the nuances of an athlete's movement, scientists gain valuable insights into athletic performance and how to prevent injuries. Xsens is perfectly suited for this application. Its portability allows researchers to capture athletes in their natural training environments, providing a more realistic picture of movement patterns compared to traditional lab settings.
![Learn more →](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3446270/600462fa-c778-4833-a658-941325a6b41a.png)
![workplace-ergonomics-edited](https://www.movella.com/hs-fs/hubfs/workplace-ergonomics-edited.jpg?width=590&height=400&name=workplace-ergonomics-edited.jpg)
Traditional methods of ergonomics analysis can be subjective and time-consuming. Xsens motion capture offers a fast, objective solution. By capturing precise movement data in real-world work environments, companies can identify potential ergonomic risks associated with repetitive tasks, leading to improved workplace design and reduced musculoskeletal disorders.
![Learn more →](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3446270/04abb3ba-897c-42a2-8b56-0f17ec5b3dc2.png)
![rehab](https://www.movella.com/hs-fs/hubfs/rehab.jpg?width=1440&height=840&name=rehab.jpg)
Motion capture plays a vital role in rehabilitation and injury prevention. Traditional methods often lack precision and objectivity. Xsens motion capture systems provide highly accurate and objective data on patient movement patterns. This empowers healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about treatment plans, rehabilitation exercises, and injury prevention strategies.
![Learn more →](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3446270/9f94340c-8f2a-4de6-b90f-6b509337c996.png)
![research-in-motion](https://www.movella.com/hs-fs/hubfs/research-in-motion.jpg?width=590&height=400&name=research-in-motion.jpg)
Motion capture transcends traditional limitations by enabling researchers and educators to accurately study human movement. Xsens' portable motion capture systems allow for capturing real-world movements with exceptional detail. This opens doors for in-depth analysis across various disciplines.
![Learn more →](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3446270/8589533f-a9d8-4912-9e53-2af780a6b829.png)
Why Choose Xsens Motion Capture?
Get clean mocap data in any environment - in the studio, the office or outside.
High quality data means less cleanup and reliable insights
Your mocap system is up and running in minutes.
Xsens’ tiny motion trackers capture the smallest twitches to high dynamic movements.
![Manusgloves-cropped-1](https://www.movella.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Manusgloves-cropped-1.png?width=960&name=Manusgloves-cropped-1.png)
Xsens motion capture hardware
We understand that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to motion capture. We offer three motion capture hardware options for different needs and use cases: Xsens Link, Xsens Awinda and Xsens Awinda Starter. All set-ups use 17 sensors and provide exceptionally high-quality mocap data. Choose the one that fits your needs, application, and budget. For precise hand and finger tracking, we offer Xsens motion capture gloves.
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Sensors
17 wireless sensors
17 wireless sensors
(plus 1 prop sensor)
17 sensors
(plus 1 prop sensor)
Clothing
Full body strap set. This includes 3 t-shirts (sizes S, L, XXL) and a strap set
Full body strap set. This includes 3 t-shirts (sizes S, L, XXL) and a strap set
Full body Lycra suit available in 6 sizes (S-4XL)
Update rate
Up to 60 Hz
Up to 60 Hz
Up to 240 Hz
Range
25m
60m
150m
Battery life
6 hours
6 hours
10 hours
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![glovesposeTrans](https://www.movella.com/hs-fs/hubfs/glovesposeTrans.png?width=960&name=glovesposeTrans.png)
Xsens motion capture software
Xsens software goes beyond just capturing movement. They provide powerful tools to analyze, process, and integrate motion data into your existing workflow. Xsens motion capture software is available in two versions. Xsens Animate for entertainment applications and Xsens Analyze for health and sports, and research. We also offer cloud-based solutions to process and store data and generate reports.
![Xsens Animate](https://www.xsens.com/hubfs/what-do-mvn-animate.jpg)
Xsens Animate proprietary motion capture software streams or exports all your motion captured data to your 3D package.
![Xsens Analyze](https://www.xsens.com/hubfs/Images/Webpages/Products/MVN%20Analyze/analyze-walking.png)
MVN Analyze is specialized software adjusted for human motion analysis. It features a scalable biomechanical model, allows up to four hardware setups, and supports different calibration routines.
![Motion Capture](https://www.xsens.com/hubfs/Movella%20Website%20Images/MVN%20Reports%20-%20GUI-edited-1.png)
MVN Reports instantly present complex movement data in an accessible, easy-to-read report. Enabled by Xsens MotionCloud, this technology enables you to generate automated reports for Health and Sports applications with ease.
FAQ about Motion Capture
What is Motion Capture?
Motion capture, also known as mocap or motion tracking, is the process of recording human movement and transforming it into digital data. This data can be used in various applications such as animation, biomechanics research, healthcare, sports performance, ergonomic assessment, and more. Motion capture breathes life into digital characters, provides valuable insights into human movement, and allows for the development of innovative training and rehabilitation programs.
How Does Motion Capture Work?
Capturing motion involves several steps. Firstly, the subject is prepared for the capture session. This may involve attaching markers or sensors to the subject's body, ensuring they are properly calibrated, and setting up the mocap stage with cameras or other equipment.
Once the subject is prepared, the capture session begins. The subject performs the desired movements, which is recorded by the motion capture system. The system captures the position and orientation of the markers or sensors in real-time, creating a stream of movement data. Different motion capture technologies use different ways to record movement.
After the capture session, the movement data is processed and cleaned up using dedicated software. This involves removing noise or errors in the data and refining the captured movements.
The cleaned-up motion data can then be used in various applications. It can be used to animate characters in video games, create motion sequences for movies, analyze and improve sports performance, make ergonomic assessments, and much more.
What are the Uses of Motion Capture?
Motion capture has emerged as a transformative technology for many industries. It has changed how we analyze, create, and interact with movement. From immersive animations in blockbuster films to the intricacies of human movement, motion capture data unlocks a world of possibilities.
Take a look at some of the key applications of motion capture.
Why Use Inertial Motion Capture?
Inertial motion capture offers a distinct set of advantages over optical motion capture, making it an indispensable tool in various applications. Here's a breakdown of its key benefits:
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Freedom of movement: Unlike optical systems with markers and studio constraints, inertial mocap allows for complete freedom of movement in any location. While some inertial mocap systems may struggle with accuracy in environments with magnetic interference, Xsens offers complete magnetic immunity, ensuring high-quality data capture regardless of the environment - on-set, in the lab, in the studio, at the workplace, or on the field, everywhere.
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Portability and ease of use: Inertial mocap systems are compact, lightweight, and user-friendly. They can be set up quickly, making them ideal for on-location shoots, field research or clinical assessments. Inertial motion capture also eliminates the need for cumbersome markers. This simplifies setup, reduces preparation time, and potentially enhances the acting experience by allowing for more natural movement, which translates into character authenticity in the final animation.
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Exceptional accuracy: Xsens mocap’s advanced sensor fusion algorithms and meticulous calibration processes deliver exceptional data accuracy for most applications. Xsens provides HD reprocessed, production-ready data that requires minimal cleanup. Due to the nature of inertial motion capture, there is no absolute positioning, although it’s close with minimal drift. Absolute positioning can be achieved by adding compatible 3D position-aiding technology.
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Instantly available for use: Having an inertial mocap suit instantly available is a significant advantage. Setting up an optical or markerless shoot takes time and personnel, whereas Xsens can be ready in about 15 minutes. This allows for spontaneous use without the need for extensive preparation.
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Cost-effectiveness: Compared to traditional optical systems, inertial mocap offers a more cost-effective solution. The elimination of studio setup costs and the ease of use contribute to a lower overall investment. With top of the line motion capture systems such as Xsens that provide production-ready data, the total cost of ownership is even lower as you save time valuable time in post production.
What are the Different Motion Capture Systems?
There are three main types of motion capture systems: optical, inertial, and markerless (AI). Each offers unique advantages and considerations:
Inertial Motion Capture
Inertial mocap utilizes sensors placed on different parts of the body. These sensors are equipped with accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers, that measure orientation, acceleration and magnetic field interaction. Software then processes this data and reconstructs the movement in 3D space. Xsens is one of the most trusted inertial motion capture technologies, renowned for its exceptional accuracy, ease of use, and robust data processing. Xsens systems are ideal for capturing complex movements in real-world environments.
Pros
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Offers freedom of movement compared to optical systems.
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Portable and suitable for capturing motion in various locations.
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No need for markers, simplifying setup and enhancing the acting experience.
Cons
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Due to lack of absolute positioning, drift can occur over time. Xsens overcomes drift with advanced algorithms.
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Susceptible to distortion from magnetic fields. However, Xsens mocap offers full magnetic immunity and can be used in any environment.
Optical Motion Capture
Optical mocap employs multiple high-speed cameras strategically placed in a controlled studio environment. Cameras track reflective markers attached to the actor's body. Software then analyzes the marker positions in each frame, reconstructing the 3D movement data.
Pros
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High accuracy, particularly for detailed movements like facial expressions.
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Established technology with a long track record.
Cons
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Requires a dedicated and controlled environment with specific lighting conditions to avoid marker occlusion.
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Can restrict actor movement due to marker placement limitations.
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Setup and calibration can be time-consuming.
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Requires technical knowledge and multi-person team to operate.
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Expensive and not ideal for multi-actor scenes with close-contact movements.
Markerless or AI Motion Capture
This emerging technology utilizes computer vision and machine learning algorithms to analyze video footage and reconstruct 3D movement data without requiring markers or sensors on the actor.
Pros
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Least intrusive approach, offering maximum freedom of movement.
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Lower setup costs compared to other methods.
Cons
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Accuracy can be lower compared to optical and inertial systems, particularly for complex movements or in challenging lighting conditions.
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Requires a setup with cameras or phones.
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Still under development, with ongoing improvements in accuracy and robustness.
![cinematic-video-prod-greenscreen](https://www.xsens.com/hubfs/cinematic-video-prod-greenscreen.jpg)
Seamless integration for efficient workflows
We understand the value of seamless integration with existing workflows. Our motion capture solutions integrate effortlessly with a wide range of third-party software commonly used in animation, VFX, biomechanics, and healthcare applications. This ensures that Xsens mocap data can be easily imported and utilized within your preferred tools, maximizing efficiency and productivity.
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