Research and Innovation: Motion capture based on low cost MEMS inertial and magnetic sensors applied to biomechanics
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Motion capture based on low cost MEMS inertial and magnetic sensors applied to biomechanics

Abstract

Precise measurements of spatial orientation play a critical role in many fields, such as: aerospace, robotics, navigation, human motion analysis, and human-machine interaction. Also, with the advancement of some technologies, especially the Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS), there are a growing number of motion capture (Mocap) applications in physical therapy, biomechanics, rehabilitation, sports, ergonomics, movies, games etc. In the market, there are some Mocap systems, built with different technologie: each one having a different precision level. Currently, there is not a technology that can be identified as the best one. However, the use of SoC (System on Chip) which includes accelerometers and gyroscopes of MEMS type and magnetometers (wearable system) is considered the most promising, because of its independence from external references. In practical terms, the current state of the art system can be summarized in the patent on behalf of the Dutch assignee Xsens, our main competitor. Since this patent was not registered in Brazil, we want to reproduce it and utilize it. Due to its innovative nature at the national level, we believe that the creation of a national company of Mocap systems would be an excellent business. Getting satisfactory results from this research, is the first step to surpass the state of the art and starts a national company for development of new solutions by using the inertial/magnetic MEMS technology. This project has as its starting point a system composed of inertial modules, already developed by Anderson Oliveira based on his Master's thesis, and a graphical user interface, developed by the researcher Mario Sandro using Blender software and scripts in python. As a way to bring innovation, we intend to develop a human motion capture system, including hardware and software able to meet the applications in biomechanics. The graphical user interface and its functionalities will be based on field research results obtained by a professional from biomechanics area, from both rehabilitation centers and universities. In this way, the goals are defined as: development of an embedded system for data transmission in appropriate physical layers, presenting up to 32 inertial/magnetic modules that provides spatial orientation at the attached points on the body; and the development of a PC application with graphical user interface for the Biomechanics area, which reads and shows in real-time the required data. Our expectation is to produce a Mocap system with high potential for popularization and variety of applications - small, fast, immune to occlusion, robust, cheap, and wireless - and internationally competitive, with impact on the national market (no import costs). (AU)

Articles published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the research grant:
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VEICULO: TITULO (DATA)
VEICULO: TITULO (DATA)

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