In Praise of Project Planning, Pilots, Points and Processing

Knowing where to place your Markers

Marker placement is a huge subject and can be tricky to grasp if you are a newcomer to Motion Capture. Even highly qualified and experienced biomechanists can struggle when presented with a new project and a blank sheet. If your mathematical background doesn’t include a detailed knowledge of Vector Algebra where do you start?

If you can find similar studies in the published literature you may be able to use a previously developed marker-set and modeling protocol. Many lower limb studies will be based on the so-called Helen Hayes method (though it is also known by many other names). This is often regarded as the gold standard for Gait Analysis, despite being from the 1980’s. It was perfect for the camera systems of the day, using the absolute minimum number of markers to save all the post processing time. It solves problems that 21st century systems no longer have. Though take care as almost all models now are ‘modified-Helen-Hayes’ and they vary in subtle ways.

If you can’t ‘stand on the shoulders of giants’ where do you begin? 

Let’s consider Markers, Virtual Markers and Points (ie coordinates in 3d space). Each segment that you want to track will need at least three, non-linear, points to give all six degrees of freedom, XYZ and 3 Rotations. An individual marker tells you a position; singularly it can’t give you an orientation.

These can be real markers or virtual ones, which are points calculated from marker data but offset in a rigorously defined way. For example if you want to know where a Knee Joint Centre (KJC) is, you can’t place a marker inside the body but if you can place two, carefully on the surface where the knee joint axis line passes through the skin it is possible to readily define the KJC, as a Virtual Marker, halfway between them. Motion Analysis’s highly regarded Cortex software has an easy to use graphical interface that presents this and even more complex Vector Algebra with beautiful simplicity.

Three markers for every segment can soon add up, but often a single, carefully defined point (real or virtual marker) can be shared. That KJC point, or the outside knee marker can be used for the thigh and shank segments.

After you have decided on a marker set that covers the segments that you need to know the angles between, plus all the other spatial–temporal parameters which Cortex will also calculate for you, you’ll be ready to get on with the fun part: the motion capture of all your subjects. Or can you?

You may need to revise your ideal marker set due to the reality of you systems camera count and the specific move you want to analyze. For example, if your laboratory has cameras permanently fixed high on the walls and you are studying push-ups, any markers on the front of the subject will be impossible to see. For the chest you could just place three or more markers on the subject’s back and remove the front markers. Or better still leave the front markers, add additional back markers and use predefined tools to recreate the ‘lost’ markers with virtual ones calculated from the relative positions of these extras. There are gap filling interpolation tools but they are making up data, whereas these ‘virtual joins’ are using genuine information.

It’s worth consider a Pilot Study

If this is all seeming a bit difficult to grasp, then we highly recommend a Pilot Study. Often the best way to find out what snags are going to catch you out is to get in the lab and try it. Set aside time to try a couple of subjects with different marker sets. Work through this data and find out where markers need adding, or which ones are not needed. It will also help you decide which parts of the myriad results are essential for your study.

Time and effort spent on a Pilot Study early on always saves you later down the line! It can help prevent hours of clean up and post processing, and most often it highlights a tiny tweak that could have prevented you answering the actual question you set out to study.

If you don’t have a lab yet but are thinking of investing in one then please contact Motion Analysis, we’ll be happy to discuss your experiment. We’ve helped set up thousands of labs around the world and will be happy to assist.

Important considerations when purchasing a motion capture system

If you’re still in the process of deciding on the motion capture system you need, we have put together a helpful checklist to keep in mind during your decision making process.

Introducing our new Reference Video Camera: The Rainbow

We’re proud to introduce Rainbow – our new line of HD video reference cameras designed to bring synchronized color video seamlessly into the Motion Analysis ecosystem.

An Integrated Reference Video Solution 

We developed the Rainbow cameras to integrate with our optical motion capture workflow. At its core, Rainbow leverages IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) technology to eenable precise  synchronization between the HD video stream and data captured from from our Thunderbird motion cameras. They will also work with Kestrel and other camera ranges.

This tight sync integration, combined with Rainbow’s impressive specs like Full-HD resolution at over 80 fps, and full vibrant color imaging, allows users to incorporate multiple HD camera views with lens-mapped video and 3D workspaces overlays. The resulting outputs are highly compressed AVI video files compatible with virtually any third-party video editing, analysis or markerless tracking tool.

Simple, Flexible Setup 

Powerful integrated video is only half of what makes Rainbow a game-changer. We’ve also ensured that these cameras are easy to incorporate into your motion capture volume or studio setup.

Rainbow uses standard C-mount lenses, putting the industry’s full range of optics at your disposal for coverage flexibility. Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows for a single ethernet cable run to each camera with 150 feet of reach, or more. A typical set up will have 6 Rainbow cameras but 8 channels or more is possible with high end PC hardware.

Whether you’re looking to add context with static wide shots or dynamic tracking cameras, configuring multi-angle video reference  is easy.

Empowering intelligent data visualization

With Rainbow’s ability to provide synchronized, high-fidelity color video streams precisely aligned to optical motion capture data, we’re empowering our users to take their movement analysis capabilities to new heights. Sports scientists can cross-reference player biomechanics to multi-angle video for deeper insights. Biomechanists can have HD video with lens mapped fidelity for vector overlays.  Animators can have multiple reference viewpoints for their shot-log.

Rainbow HD video cameras are now available to our global customer base.

Contact us for more information

10 Surprisingly cool career paths in motion analysis

You might think motion capture is all about Hollywood stars prancing around in spandex suits, but the applications of this cutting-edge technology go far beyond the silver screen. In fact, motion analysis experts are in high demand across a diverse range of sectors, each offering its own unique brand of fun and fulfillment. Let’s take a look:

1. Biomechanist barnstormers

As a motion analysis pro in the world of biomechanics, you’ll get to study the mechanics of the human body in mind-bending detail. Whether you’re helping athletes optimize their performance or assisting doctors in rehabilitation, your work will have a tangible impact on people’s lives. Plus, you get to geek out over fancy terms like “joint kinematics” and “ground reaction forces” – what’s not to love?

2. Virtual virtuoso

Love the idea of creating immersive virtual worlds? Motion analysis is the key to unlocking the next generation of gaming, VR, and animation. Become a motion-capturing maverick, and you could be the mastermind behind the captivating movements of your favorite video game characters or the lifelike animations that wow audiences.

3. Robotic rockstar

Ever dreamed of programming robots to move with the grace and dexterity of a human? Motion analysis is your ticket to the cutting edge of robotics and automation. Analyze movement patterns, optimize trajectories, and bring a touch of humanity to the machines of the future.

4. Sports sensation

For the athletically inclined, motion analysis offers a front-row seat to the inner workings of elite sports. Whether you’re helping coaches fine-tune training regimes or identifying injury risk factors, your work will give you an insider’s view of the high-stakes world of professional athletics.

5. Dance dynamo

Who says motion analysis is all about crunching numbers? If you’ve got a passion for the performing arts, you can put your movement expertise to work choreographing captivating dance routines or analyzing the technique of prima ballerinas. Get ready to pirouette your way into an exciting new career.

6. Accident investigator

When things go wrong, motion analysis can be a game-changer. From reconstructing car crashes to analyzing workplace incidents, your ability to break down complex movements can help uncover the truth and prevent future accidents.

7. Fashion forward

Haute couture may seem like an unlikely destination for a motion analysis pro, but the industry is actually teeming with opportunities. Leverage your movement expertise to design ergonomic clothing, optimize garment fit, and even enhance the runway experience with cutting-edge motion capture.

8. Medical maverick

In the world of healthcare, motion analysis is revolutionizing the way we diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate patients. From analyzing gait patterns to monitoring neurological conditions, your skills can make a real difference in people’s lives.

9. Industrial innovator

Motion analysis isn’t just for the glitz and glamor – it’s also transforming the way we approach industrial processes. Optimize manufacturing workflows, improve product design, and even enhance workplace safety through the power of movement data.

10. Wildlife wizard

For the nature enthusiasts out there, motion analysis can open the door to a career studying the remarkable movements of the animal kingdom. From tracking the migratory patterns of majestic creatures to analyzing the biomechanics of our furry, feathered, and finned friends, the possibilities are endless.

So, there you have it – ten surprisingly awesome career paths in the world of motion analysis. Whether you’re a data-crunching dynamo or a movement-loving maverick, the opportunities are endless. So why not strap on your motion capture suit and get ready to shake up the world?

11. Mocap manufacturer

If you’re technically-inclined, why not consider a role in the motion capture manufacturing industry? We employee all of the above, as well as high-end hardware and superb software engineers, marketing maestros, sales specialists, admirable administrators, terrific technicians and many more.

7 Ways movement tracking enhances sports performance

Movement tracking technologies, such as motion capture systems, have long been recognized for their valuable applications in sports performance analysis. However, beyond the obvious uses, these advanced tools can unlock a wealth of unexpected insights that can truly transform an athlete’s training and competitive edge.

1. Injury prevention and rehabilitation

By capturing detailed movement data, sports scientists can identify subtle biomechanical imbalances or movement patterns that predispose athletes to certain injuries. This allows for targeted interventions and adjustments to training regimes to mitigate injury risk. Similarly, motion tracking is invaluable in monitoring an athlete’s progress during rehabilitation, ensuring a safe and effective return to play.

2. Technique refinement

The granular data provided by movement tracking enables coaches and athletes to scrutinize technique with unprecedented precision. This allows for the identification of minute flaws or inefficiencies that may be hampering performance, leading to tailored technique adjustments that can unlock new levels of skill and efficiency.

3. Talent identification

Analyzing the movement signatures of elite athletes can provide a blueprint for the key physical attributes and motor control patterns that underpin success in a given sport. By applying this knowledge to the movement data of aspiring athletes, coaches can identify promising talent with greater accuracy, ensuring they nurture the right individuals for long-term development.

4. Psychomotor skills assessment

Movement tracking can reveal insights into an athlete’s cognitive and decision-making abilities, not just their physical skills. By studying how athletes respond to dynamic, game-like scenarios, researchers can assess psychomotor skills such as reaction time, spatial awareness, and anticipation – critical factors in many sports.

5. Fatigue monitoring

Continuous monitoring of an athlete’s movement patterns can provide early warning signs of neuromuscular fatigue, allowing coaches to optimize training loads and recovery periods. This helps prevent overtraining and ensures athletes reach competition day in peak condition.

6. Quantifying the effects of equipment and apparel

Motion capture allows sports scientists to precisely measure the impact of equipment, apparel, and even environmental factors on an athlete’s biomechanics and movement efficiency. This data can drive evidence-based decisions on the most performance-enhancing gear and playing surfaces.

7. Enhancing coaching effectiveness

Beyond the athlete, motion tracking technologies can enhance the effectiveness of coaches themselves. By providing objective, data-driven insights, coaches can make more informed decisions, refine their training methodologies, and better communicate with athletes to drive continuous improvement.

These are just a few of the unexpected ways that movement tracking is transforming the world of sports performance. As these technologies continue to evolve, the opportunities to gain a competitive edge will only expand, making them an increasingly indispensable tool for any serious athlete or coach.

Motion capture systems for animal studies

What is motion capture for animal studies?

A motion capture system is a mix of hardware and software that records the movement and positioning of objects or animals in three-dimensional space. It is used in fields such as animal behavior, biomechanics, and zoology to accurately analyze and study the movement and dynamics of various species.

How can a motion capture system enhance the work of an animal researcher?

Motion tracking systems provide animal researchers with valuable data and insights that can enhance their understanding of animal behavior, locomotion, and biomechanics. By capturing precise, three-dimensional movement data, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of factors such as gait patterns, joint kinematics, and the biomechanics of specific animal species.

What does a motion capture system consist of?

A typical motion capture system for animal studies includes the following key components:

Important considerations when purchasing a motion capture system for animal studies

When evaluating and purchasing a motion capture system for animal research, consider the following factors:

Conclusion

Selecting the right motion capture system is crucial for animal researchers to effectively conduct studies, assess animal behavior and biomechanics, and gain valuable insights. By considering the key factors outlined in this checklist, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your specific animal research needs and enhances the quality and impact of your work.

The biomechanist’s motion capture purchasing checklist

What is a motion capture system?

A motion capture system is a technology that records the movement and positioning of objects or individuals in three-dimensional space. It is widely used in fields such as biomechanics, movement science, and animation to accurately analyze and study human or object motion.

How can a motion capture system enhance the work of a biomechanist?

Motion capture systems provide biomechanists and movement scientists with valuable data and insights that can enhance research, clinical assessments, and the development of interventions. By capturing precise, three-dimensional movement data, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of factors such as joint kinematics, muscle activation patterns, and overall movement efficiency.

What does a motion capture system consist of?

A typical motion capture system includes the following key components:

Important considerations when purchasing a motion capture system

When evaluating and purchasing a motion capture system, consider the following factors:

Conclusion

Selecting the right motion capture system is crucial for biomechanists and movement scientists to effectively conduct research, assess clinical interventions, and gain valuable insights. By considering the key factors outlined in this checklist, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your specific needs and enhances the quality and impact of your work.

Motion Analysis Corporation Unveils Cortex 9.5 Software Upgrade

November 8 2023, California – Motion Analysis Corporation is excited to announce the highly-anticipated release of Cortex 9.5, the latest edition of its cutting-edge motion capture software. This update is now available for download and is accessible to all customers with active warranties or current software maintenance contracts.

Cortex 9.5 introduces a range of exceptional features and improvements that elevate the motion capture experience to new heights, providing users with greater flexibility, efficiency, and accuracy. Here are the key highlights of this remarkable update:

Quick Files Capture Status: Cortex 9.5 introduces Quick Files Capture Status indicators, simplifying the assessment of dataset status. Users can easily classify captures as “Unedited,” “In Progress,” or “Complete.” Customization options are also available, allowing users to create their own status names and icons, providing a user-friendly experience.

Kestrel Plus Cameras: With Cortex 9.5, Motion Analysis Corporation introduces the Kestrel Plus camera line, featuring the Kestrel Plus 3, Kestrel Plus 22, and Kestrel Plus 42. These new cameras seamlessly integrate with Cortex 9, expanding your capture capabilities and delivering high-quality results.

Trim Capture Modifications: Cortex 9.5 enhances the Trim Capture feature, enabling users to modify names, generate captures on a per-markerset basis, and add timecode support. This streamlined process facilitates the extraction of relevant data from capture files and offers improved post-processing options.

Workflow Improvements: Cortex 9.5 enhances the Workflow feature, making task execution even more efficient. Users can now utilize a search tool and a workflow repository, enabling easy access and management of workflows, optimizing productivity.

Live Detailed Hand Identification: Advanced hand tracking techniques have been integrated into Cortex 9.5, reducing marker swapping during live collection and post-processing of intricate finger movements. Users can contact the support team for a sample markerset to enable this feature.

Automatic Wand Identification for Reference Video Overlay Calibration: In a significant time-saving move, Cortex 9.5 automates the marker selection process for reference video overlay calibration, eliminating manual marker selection and potential user errors. This feature can be applied in both Live Mode and Post Process.

Bertec Digital Integration: Cortex 9.5 now offers support for Bertec AM6800 digital amplifiers, simplifying setup and reducing the number of required components, thus enhancing the overall user experience.

National Instruments New Device Compatibility: Cortex 9.5 continues its support for National Instruments A/D board data collection and expands compatibility to their next generation of DAQs, maintaining flexibility and ensuring compatibility with previously supported devices.

Additional Updates and Features: Several additional updates and features, such as the renaming of the Post Process X panel to Tracks, improved contrast in Dark Mode, and an increased marker slot limit, are included in this feature-rich update.

Cortex 9.5 marks a significant milestone in the field of motion capture, empowering users with advanced tools, enhanced workflows, and improved performance.

To learn more about Cortex 9.5 and take advantage of these exciting new features, download the full release notes here, or contact our sales and support teams for further information and assistance.

Motion Analysis Corporation continues to lead the way in motion capture technology, and Cortex 9.5 is a testament to our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers.

About Motion Analysis Corporation

Motion Analysis Corporation is a leading provider of motion capture technology solutions for various industries, including entertainment, sports, healthcare, and research. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, Motion Analysis Corporation strives to make motion capture more accessible and versatile.

Mocap in action: In conversation with Adam Cyr, Biomechanist at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital

A long-standing client, Mary Bridge Children’s Research and Movement Laboratory (RML) is a multidisciplinary facility that houses a team of engineers and clinicians who conduct research and use the latest technologies to identify, diagnose, and treat individuals with movement challenges.

We caught up with Adam Cyr, a biomechanist at the facility, who has a keen interest in applying engineering principles and techniques to understand how the human body performs. His goal is to improve injury prevention and treatment.

Here, we share what he had to say about his work and how he is using mocap as part of the biomechanics research he does on a daily basis.

Could you give us a quick overview of your background as it relates to the world of biomechanics and biomechanics research?

After completing my studies, I briefly worked at a company doing forensic biomechanics before I found myself at the Research and Movement Lab at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. At the RML, we see patients with a wide variety of concerns, including neurological, muscular, and orthopedic disorders. We also see people who are looking to enhance their performance or who suffer from sports-related injuries.

How do you use motion capture technology in the work you do every day?

The more data we can collect, the better. We want to look at kids doing functional tasks. If we see a patient today and collect data on how they move in their preferred way and then they have some sort of intervention, we have data we can use to assess if there’s been an improvement because they will be moving better than before. Our goal is to inform the clinical providers, whether they’re surgeons or physical therapists, and provide them with objective data so they can make better decisions. 

On a typical day, we’ll spend a few hours with a patient either in the morning or the afternoon. We’ll prep the room to make sure that the motion capture system is ready and that the markers are ready to go. We’ll do a subjective history and a physical exam. And then we’ll put the markers on and get the patient to do basic movements. If there’s any particular activity that is causing a problem, we will have them do that activity specifically. After they leave, I compile the data, process it and turn it into graphs and meaningful insights for our therapists to review. It’s great to work this closely with clinicians to see the data and graphs transform into information that means something.  

Can you walk us through your experience using Motion Analysis and share some of the features you find most useful?

The motion capture system I inherited in my current position was an older one. We were very fortunate to be able to upgrade to some newer Motion Analysis cameras recently. The new tech is very impressive. From a size perspective, everything is getting smaller, the optics are better, the speed is better and these cameras can track much smaller markers. 

The cameras are also more advanced, which makes it easier to do things right the first time and not waste time cleaning up the data. This speeds up patient processing times. We want to get a report back to our patients within a couple weeks and if I’m spending a day cleaning up data, that isn’t possible. 

When I do have to clean up data, there are some great features on the backend that make it easier to do so. For example, if a marker dropped off and you didn’t notice, you can use virtual markers to fill in the data gap. I’ve also started to go down the road of playing with what they call the Sky Interface. This allows me to build my own scripts using a batch process. I’ve been working closely with the Motion Analysis team on this and they’ve been hugely helpful. When we collect EMG data, there’s a delay in time so we need to shift the data over for it to line up correctly. With the Sky Interface, I can code something so that I just have to hit one button and it goes through all of my captures and automatically shifts the data over.

We’re also starting to get into real-time feedback using Cortex software. In a clinical setting, we’d use this to better understand upper body motion. For example, we’d put markers on the elbow, the arm and the torso and ask children to reach around so we can see how far they can reach. With real-time feedback, it’s possible to have them reach for virtual markers on a screen, a bit like they are playing a video game. It would all be done in real time using the Motion Analysis workflows I’ve learned. In the work I do, it’s been enormously helpful for me to be able to pick up a phone and connect with the Motion Analysis customer support team or their engineering and technical teams because they are so willing to help out when I have a problem that I need to figure out right away.

If you, like Adam, want to leverage motion capture innovation to better understand movement-related conditions or improve how you monitor the tendencies and patterns of biomechanical movements, we can help. Learn more about how our team can support your mocap needs by scheduling a demo today.

Why Bournemouth University uses Motion Analysis to nurture animation’s next generation

The Customer

Bournemouth University is recognized as one of the foremost animation institutions in the United Kingdom. Under the leadership of Zhidong Xiao, Deputy Head of Department at the National Centre for Computer Animation, their animation focus applies to three main practice areas: teaching the full pipeline of motion capture technology to inspire student animation projects; exploring new mocap usage for research councils; and helping creative filmmakers and artists through studio space and advanced equipment.

The Problem

Having experimented with motion capture systems since 2003, the university’s original fixed capture space was an ample-sized classroom primarily used for teaching character animation, utilizing Motion Analysis’ Raptor 2 active optical motion system. By 2010, however, the team was developing a new, larger studio facility. Able to accommodate a greater number of cameras, there was an increasing need for advanced data processing and motion retargeting to suit larger-scale projects.

The Solution

There is a growing expectation for advanced detail in 3D character animation, which has spurred mocap technology to similarly scale in precision and sophistication. Whether it’s creating robots, mythical creatures or cartoon figures in games, films or television shows, facial and bodily movements are becoming increasingly lifelike to make visual experiences like never before.

To track these actors’ movements (fitted in bodysuits complete with markers), passive optical systems are one option to accurately capture motion data. Able to track the simultaneous motions of objects and humans alongside video footage, the marker movements synchronize with Motion Analysis’ Cortex software, which helps to map the skeleton that will later become a 3D animated character brought to vivid life. The tracked real-time data makes completing re-dos or small edits in post-production far simpler, keeping a record of the actor’s motions before the computer graphics have been superimposed.

For animation educators like Zhidong’s team, that cross-collaboration between software and equipment provides a greater advantage to teaching the full scale of animation methods to students. Now utilizing 16 of our fixed 4K Kestrel cameras for accurate data capture, student classes remain a focus, but the newer space was also designed to better craft virtual reality sets for television shows, film music videos, and to develop special effects for the silver screen. 

The interoperable mocap system opens the doors to create brand new experiences in the studio, to benefit community projects, student work and artistic expression. Bournemouth University’s media department is set to carry on their work in these areas, using their animation studio space and Motion Analysis system to develop machine learning and training techniques for industries choosing to adopt mocap technology’s many advantages. 
Want to discover more about Bournemouth University’s collaboration with Motion Analysis? Catch up on the full story in our case study.

From fruit flies to elephants, and everything in between. We’re celebrating 40 years of mocap!

This October, we’re celebrating our 40th birthday. Over the course of our four decade history, we’ve made a concerted effort to keep innovation at the heart of everything we do, which may explain why we’ve managed to achieve so much during this time. Using motion capture in settings that you wouldn’t expect, our software has traveled from a ballet studio to an ice rink and has even scaled the hills of Mount Doom. 

This means that we’ve had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with clients who are using our mocap software in their cutting-edge research and incredible creative projects across a wide range of industries. 

From intern to VP, Phil Hagerman shares interesting insights over a 20+ year tenure

Just ask Phil Hagerman, who started out as an intern at Motion Analysis in the late ‘90s and has spent most of his career learning, growing and excelling as part of our team. 

Today, Phil is our VP of Operations. He has worked across all aspects of the business – employed as everything from an electronics technician to a support engineer, sales and director of customer service. He has helped us to build prototypes, trained our resellers, and improved and refined our processes. Phil has played an integral role in expediting issue resolution for our customers and making sure that everyone has the information they need at their fingertips. 

Over more than 20 years, Phil has also served as a trusted advisor to the business, particularly around how we plan and develop our strategies for the future. 

Thinking ahead to stay ahead

“Recently, with the supply chain shortages, I started to monitor the individual components that go into our products,” says Phil. “I actually spent an absurd amount of time tracking the lifecycles and availability of these components to make sure that we buy the parts we need before they are unavailable.”

We’ve also seen the industry change dramatically over the years. When you think about the fact that things like the iPhone or Google didn’t exist 40 years ago – technologies that have become staples in our everyday lives – you realize just how much progress has been made in recent years. 

A six-camera Motion Analysis VP320 system photographed in the late 80’s

At Motion Analysis, we’re proud to say that we’ve been able to translate this progress into success, not only for our business but also for our customers. From analyzing the movement of dancers, and developing an improved basketball shoe to rehabilitating wounded soldiers, we’ve done a lot.

Pre-realtime labeling: The six-camera Motion Analysis VP320 system Using Motion Analysis’s ExpertVision (EV) software to record and track a gymnast in the late 80’s

Navigating the peaks and valleys 

It’s been great to see the business adapt and thrive through various peaks and valleys, adds Phil. “I was there after 9/11 when some people were moved to part time roles because we just didn’t have enough orders coming in.” 

And on the converse, we had one December where we had to revamp our manufacturing system just to get out all the systems that had been ordered, he continues. “Watching the business go through periods where we’ve struggled and then excelled, I can see how we’ve used periods of downtime to look at how we can make things better.” 

Celebrating the weird and wonderful

For Phil, there isn’t only one standout experience or highlight because, “Motion Analysis has great relationships with all of our customers and we love all the motion capture projects we get to work on.”

“Some of the projects we’ve worked on over the years are just mind blowing. We’ve done motion capture projects where we’ve tracked something as small as a fruit fly to something as large as an elephant. It’s really interesting to see how things move. Yes, this is enabled by innovation in motion capture and the flexibility of our systems, but it’s also about our clients’ creativity.”

Speeding up processes with the introduction of custom designed VPAT cards to record the camera data to memory: The MIDAS based system running ExpertVision Advanced (EVa) in the early-mid 90’s

Acknowledging that customer needs have changed a lot over the years, Phil notes that Motion Analysis has consistently updated its mocap hardware and software to cater to these needs. For example, while we have always been known for developing high-end passive marker systems, we recently launched the BaSix camera family, which consists of three “light” camera models. BaSix was launched in an effort to make mocap more accessible and affordable for smaller studios. 

Looking to the future

Lucy Keighley, president of Motion Analysis, believes that our success comes down to all the people who make the company what it is today. “Most of our team have been working here for many years and that’s because, despite being smaller and spread across the world, our values align and that keeps us connected,” she says. “I would say that our greatest value is the relationship we have with our customers. Whether it’s our developers or sales staff, we all make an effort to get to know and to prioritize the needs of our customers above everything.” 

Looking ahead, we’re excited about the next 40 years of innovation in motion capture. 

“We want to evolve with and stay on top of new technology as it comes out. Our software is a core component that makes us stand out. And so we will continue to ensure that our software evolves with our clients’ needs, so that it can continue to be used in things like industrial design and ergonomics, animation, drone tracking, animal/human biomechanics, and so much more,” Phil says. “When you think about future applications, the possibilities are endless.”