Applications

Object Tracking/Engineering

What are your requirements?

Do you need a system which is able to measure the exact 3D location and orientation of any number of objects in a specific volume?
Would you like to measure the objects’ positions and orientations in real time, and stream the measurements further with a latency of only a couple of milliseconds?
Do you need a straightforward way to integrate the real-time stream of measured 3D positions and orientations in your own, or in other 3rd party software – for example to implement a real-time control loop?

What solutions do we offer?

We offer 6 DOF (Degree-Of-Freedom) tracking volumes of differing sizes, from smaller than 1m3 to about 30m x 30m x 30m, with a typical accuracy of 1mm or better. The accuracy depends mainly on the size of the capture volume and the number of cameras.
The Vicon Tracker software has been specially developed for the typical engineering workflow – you can, for example, define an object with only two mouse clicks. Once defined, the object’s position and orientation will immediately start streaming in real time.
The integration of the real time data stream with other software is made easy because of the DataStream SDK (Software Development Kit). The SDK is available for several programming languages (e.g. C++, .NET, Python and MATLAB). Several interfaces to popular VR and scientific software packages have already been developed, for example Simulink, LabView, Siemens Jack and VR Juggler.
Check out the FAQ below for more questions and answers.

Testimonials

Prof. Dr. Raffaelo D’Andrea, Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control ETH Zürich

„My work is focused on the creation of systems that leverage technological innovations, scientific principles, advanced mathematics, algorithms, and the art of design in unprecedented ways, with an emphasis on advanced motion control. My hope is that these creations inspire us to rethink what role technology should have in shaping our future.“

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Are you interested in a demo or do you need more information?

Recommended Setup

Large tracking Volume

Do you need accurate tracking in a large volume, for example to track flying drones? The Vicon Vantage system can cover a volume of 30 m x 30 m and larger. This allows to record many scenarios in situ. For example, NASA used a VICON system to track a Mars rover in the desert.

A small, but exceptional system

A Vicon motion capture system can track the 3D position and orientation of an object in a limited volume starting with only two cameras. For better coverage and larger volumes, we recommend four or more cameras. Depending on the volume size, a precision of 1 mm or better is normal.

Flexible Setup

Sometimes you may have to track objects in different environments and need a system that can be moved and reconfigured quickly and easily. A Vicon system can even be used outdoors. The setup is straightforward and fast.

Why with us?

Optimal configuration

We help you specify the optimal system configuration for your individual requirements, ensuring that your system delivers reliable, accurate and fast tracking.

Installation by specialists

During system installation, hardware and software are installed and optimized to your requirements.

Consulting, Training and Support

We offer advice, training and support for all aspects of the system - including technical issues such as the integration of the data stream from the system into your own software.

FAQs

How many cameras do I need to track an object in 3D?

The Vicon Tracker software is able to track an object as long as it is seen by a single camera – this unique feature is made possible by tracking the object directly on the 2D sensor of the camera (other software track objects based on the 3D marker positions, which means that at least two cameras are needed to track an object). This feature means that the usable tracking volume is bigger than it otherwise would be.

How can I stream the objects’ positions and orientations into my own software?

Vicon Tracker automatically streams all data to the DataStream SDK. The SDK has many functions that make it easy to implement the streaming, and since it is also available for several programming languages (e.g. C++, .NET, MATLAB and Python), you can typically implement it directly into your own code.

What do I need to do to an object in order to track it?

Each object needs to have at least 3 light-weight retro-reflective markers attach to it. These markers need to be visible from the motion capture cameras, and you can attach more than 3 markers in order to add redundancy. The markers are typically between 3mm and 25mm in diameter, and weigh as little as 0.2g – but larger and smaller custom sizes are also available.

How many objects can I track simultaneously?

There is no fixed upper limit to the number of objects that can be tracked. During a test, we were able to reliably track 100 independent objects, each with 4 markers attached.

Can I use the system as ground truth in order to validate the internal positional system of my robot or drone?

Absolutely – this is one of the most common applications of such a tracking system. The typical accuracy of 1mm, and the possibility of tracking in very large volumes makes the Vicon tracking system a flexible solution for such ground truth measurements.

What is the sample frequency – and what is the latency?

You can select sample frequencies between 30Hz and 2000Hz (depending on camera type). The latency from the measurement being taken at the camera (shutter closing) until the 3D measurement is pushed out via the SDK to 3rd party software can be as low as 2 milliseconds.