Oxford, UK - Vicon, developer of motion-capture systems for the entertainment, life sciences, and engineering industries, previewed its Mobile Mocap (mobile motion-capture) technology at SIGGRAPH 2011.
Moving mocap out of the lab and into the field, Vicon's Mobile Mocap systems incorporate a new, lipstick-sized camera that enables solutions applicable to automotive ergonomics testing, the medical industry, eye tracking, military surveillance, and entertainment for less obtrusive, more accurate facial animation data. The small, powerful cameras capture 720p (1280x720) footage at 60 frames per second. A powerful processing unit then synchronizes, stores, and wirelessly transmits the data.
Up to 12 cameras can be synchronized to simultaneously deliver data that can be combined with external metadata, such as GPS, miles per hour, traffic patterns, and more.
Using a head-mounted camera device (HMC), the technology can capture the nuances and contours of facial activity for signature performances applied to digital characters for games, film, and television. In development for over four years, prototypes of this technology were used for facial capture with Jim Carrey in Disney's A Christmas Story and for Jeff Bridges' performance in
Tron Legacy.
Alternatively, the cameras could be used during sports performance for detailed understanding of how an athlete's gaze may affect their performance.
In addition to Mobile Mocap, Vicon previewed the newest version of its motion-capture pipeline processing software, Blade 2.0. Aimed to support performance and creativity, the technology features new core architecture and algorithms to capture the most detailed motion possible, reduced interference with the natural movement critical in any entertainment venue, and accurate, real-time playback that facilitates communication between directors and actors. By changing the experience on the mocap stage with the integration of a virtual camera, studios can increase efficiency; the director can now focus on creativity and the live action shot, the technician does not have to worry about system failures and the actor receives visual reference for real-time feedback on their performance.