Motion Capture for research, ergonomics and sport
Xsens motion analysis technology is available in full-body 3D kinematics and 3D motion tracker solutions for integration into your real-time applications.
Motion Capture for animation and VFX
Xsens motion capture solutions are unmatched in terms of ease of use, robustness and reliability. Xsens produces production-ready data and is the ideal tool for animators.
What is Motion Capture?
Motion Capture (also known as mo-cap or mocap) is the process of digitally recording the movement of people. It is used in entertainment, sports, medical applications, ergonomics and robotics. In film making and game development, it refers to the recording of actors’ actions for animation or visual effects. A famous example of a movie with a lot of motion capture technology is Avatar. When it includes the whole body, face and fingers or captures subtle expressions, it is also referred to as performance capture.
Xsens motion capture is available in two versions:
- Motion Capture for animation and VFX
- Motion Capture for research, ergonomics and sport
Motion capture software and hardware
Xsens provides proprietary motion capture software for use in conjunction with Xsens motion capture hardware. The software is used to record, monitor and review movement. Users can scan anywhere, in any environment, with total reliability. Xsens motion capture software is available in two versions:
- MVN Animate for animation and VFX
- MVN Analyzes for research, ergonomics and sport
Motion capture with Xsens can be done in two hardware versions, the MVN Link suit and the MVN Awinda straps, both with their own characteristics.
Do you care what kind of Motion Capture hardware is available? Check out the motion capture history page or contact us.
Acquisition of optical and inertial movement
To understand the difference between Optical Motion Capture and Inertial Motion Capture we have created a landing page with all the information on:
- Human movement analysis
- Optical motion acquisition
- Acquisition of inertial motion
Motion Capture for sport, ergonomics, motion analysis, human-machine interaction (HMI) or gait analysis
Motion Capture for research, ergonomics and sport
MVN Analyze is a human whole body measurement system based on inertial sensors, biomechanical models and sensor fusion algorithms. Easy to use, short setup time and instant validated data output. MVN Analyze is optimized for:
- Sports science
- Ergonomics and human factors
- Movement analysis
- Human-machine interaction
- Gait analysis
Interested in MVN Analyze? Request a trial:
Sports science
Sport biomechanics or bio-mechanical analysis of sport is the scientific discipline of sport science that studies the (bio) mechanical parameters of human movement during sport. It is based on the analysis of professional athletes and sports activities in general, also called Sports Physics. These studies are performed to gain a greater understanding of athletic performance by measuring the kinematics of the human body.
Below you will find more information on:
- Sports science in general
- Sports science with inertial sensor technology
- Sports science applications, customer cases and products
Do you want to know more about sports science?
Ergonomics and human factors
Ergonomics or human factors is the process of designing or organizing workplaces, products and systems to fit the people who use them. Motion capture in ergonomics is one of the technologies for workplace analysis and human task analysis.
Do you want to know more about ergonomics and human factors?
Movement analysis
Human movement or movement analysis is the observation and definition of the movements of human beings. Motion analysis is often done in the laboratory. A simple analysis can involve simple observations. Advanced analysis often involves some form of technology, such as high-speed cameras or optical / optoelectronics, to generate the kinematics needed for the analysis. Force plates and / or electromyography can often be combined to provide comprehensive information.
Want to know more about motion analysis?
Human-machine interaction
Human Machine Interaction is a multidisciplinary field with contributions from human-computer interaction (HCI), human-robot interaction (HRI), robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), humanoid robots, and exoskeleton control.
Do you want to know more about human-machine interaction?
Gait analysis
Gait analysis, kinematic and kinetic analysis of locomotion have historically been conducted in gait laboratories, involving optical / optoelectronic cameras in a given recording volume. Generally, the force plates are located in the path to allow the calculation of the joint moment.
Do you want to know more about gait analysis?
Inform musculoskeletal models with Xsens
Enabling Next Level Biomechanics
Measurement of individual muscle forces, ligamentous forces, and internal joint contact forces is essential for understanding the mechanical mechanisms of human movement. However, such quantities cannot be measured without invasive methods, which has led to the development of computational musculoskeletal models. These musculoskeletal models allowed researchers to estimate difficult-to-measure parameters non-invasively and to investigate a wide variety of topics.
Do you want to know more about these technologies?
Motion Capture for movies and VFX, game development, live entertainment, VR, AR or MR
Motion Capture for animation and VFX
MVN Animate is unrivaled in ease of use, has robust and reliable hardware, and produces production quality data. Xsens MVN is the ideal tool for professional animators. MVN Animate is optimized for:
- Film and VFX
- Game development
- Live entertainment
- Virtual Youtuber or Vtuber
- Advertising
- VR, AR and MR
Productions powered by Xsens
Our Xsens MVN Animate Motion Capture System has been used in many films and visual effects productions (VFX). In the dedicated page “productions powered by Xsens” you will find an impressive overview with blogs and cases of all the films and VFX productions in which our motion capture system has been used.
Go to Productions powered by Xsens overview
Visual effects
Using Xsens MVN Animate, studios large and small can conveniently animate CG characters, recording accurate full-body motion data without the need for an optical camera setup.
Without limits
Capture the clean movement of the whole body in any environment. In the studio, on the spot or anywhere!
CG characters, no cleaning
Use the raw data to create lifelike CG animations and infuse realistic motion into your character’s rigging.
It fits into your workflow
Xsens integrates seamlessly with Unity, Unreal, Autodesk Maya and more.
Game development
Using Xsens MVN Animate, studios of all sizes can cost-effectively accelerate the production of 3D character animations for in-game games and movies with inertial motion capture.
Movement, captured everywhere
Capture crisp character animations in any environment. In the studio, in the office or on the go.
Works with game engines
MVN Animate can stream data directly into Unity or Unreal Engine.
More realism, less cleaning
Create realism with animation data that will bring your characters to life.
Learn more about our game development solution
Live entertainment
Using Xsens MVN Animate, technicians, artists and designers can create live performances with CG animations and real-time graphics.
Perform anywhere
Generate spectacular live action on stage, wherever you perform.
Integration
MVN Animate can stream performance-level data directly into game engines and much more.
More realism, more possibilities
Create realism with animation data that will bring a digital costume to your performing characters.
Find out more about our live entertainment solution
VR, AR and MR
Using Xsens MVN Animate, studios of all sizes can enhance the production of 3D character animations for virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality media using inertial motion capture.
Movement, captured everywhere
Capture crisp character animations in any environment. In the studio, in the office or on the go.
Works with game engines
Xsens MVN Animate can stream data directly into Unity or Unreal Engine.
Interactive experiences
Create realistic experiences with animated data that audiences can interact with.
Find out more about our VR, AR and MR solution
Integrations
Enjoy integration with all major 3D software packages. Whether via live connections or motion capture data files, integration has never been easier! This full-body motion capture system integrates directly into your pipeline. Check out our dedicated integration page to learn more about full body motion capture system integrations.
Go to the integration overview
