Archive translation. Specifications, services and availability reflect the original publication date in 2003. Verify current compatibility before production use.
3D Agentur distributed a Measurand motion-capture system in Germany that connected wirelessly to a laptop over 802.11b. The package included the wireless LAN hardware.
Markerless operation on location
The system did not require optical markers, cameras or a magnetic capture volume. Indoor range reached 25 metres depending on the receiver, while outdoor operation reached as far as 300 metres. It was specified for rain, snow and temperatures from -20 to 50°C.
The 4.7 kg suit could be calibrated in about 20 minutes and adapted for adults, children or quadrupeds. Sensors measured the body from fingers to toes. Integrated accelerometers captured movement through space and could be disabled when only skeletal motion was required.
Networked sensors and output formats
Each sensor had its own IP address for integration into motion-capture scripts. A planned 3ds Max plug-in was intended to support real-time capture. Output included BVH-type data, Live Animations, Cartesian data and raw binary data, with recording capacity limited by laptop storage.
The €58,000 wireless package included five Shape Tapes, IPEngine hardware, cabling, backpack and head mounts, power components, a wireless Ethernet adapter and two batteries with charger. Current safety, radio, host and file-format compatibility should be verified before production use.
