With sensors becoming smaller and less expensive, full-body motion-tracking systems are becoming increasingly available, demystifying sporting success and putting computer measurable science into physical training.
Indeed, measuring human motion in 3D using MEMS sensors is becoming ever more important in modern sports, with coaches, parents, and athletes themselves pushing for more qualitative and quantitative data about winning movements and individual technique.
Xsens' biomechanical body suit uses MEMS sensors.
During a MEMS in Sports panel discussion -- part of a Sensors in Design session -- at DESIGN West in San Jose, athletes and engineers came together to discuss how less expensive accelerometers, gyroscopes, and microphones were revolutionizing exercise, not just for Olympic competitors, but for weekend warriors and fitness buffs alike.
Per Slycke, chief technology officer and founder of Xsens, a 3D motion tracking firm, said the effect of pairing GPS tracking with a full sensor-laden biomechanical body suit for sports like snowboarding allows for “extremely accurate insight,” not just into the boarder’s movement, but also into his location on the mountain and distance traveled. “The kind of picture you can piece together from combining the data from a 3D accelerometer, gyroscope, processor, RF antenna, battery, and biometric sensor is really amazing,” said Slycke.
Smart surfing
From snowboarding to surfing, MEMS sensors seem to be just at the cusp of breaking big. Romain Lazerand, business development consultant at the motion capture technology company Syride, showed off his firm’s MEMS-enabled Sys-Evo -- a lightweight triangular device that slots on to a surfboard to give the surfer data on wave height, speed, ride time, distance paddled, water temperature, calories burned, and much more.
It's no wonder it was a big highlight f the show. Action Sports has been a catalyst for new trends for several years now. Technology in fashion is one example. The industry has also been a great agitator. The growth of Go-Pro accelerated crowd-sharing in a fun way.
And, it's great too see technology supporting the health of athletes. This can be used to keep track of, not only winning techniques, but also any degenerative effects on the body.
Even if surfing has the reputation for being laid back, when it comes to competition, participants will do anything to improve performance. Just look at how performance-enhancing drugs proliferated. If MEMS improves performance, they will get the attention they deserve.
A few years ago, there was actually a television show called "Sport Science," which was all about measuring athletic performance with sensors. It was actually a good show for engineers.
As a self-avowed data junkie, I think this is really cool technology. I remember working 25 years ago on some Virtual Reality projects where we were trying to map the body in 3D space. Some of it eventually translated into telepresence programs and gaming, but nothing like the miniature sensors can do now. Just wait until energy harvesting gets integrated into these sensors and then they can go just about anywhere.
Now if we add a lite, powered, programmed exoskeleton to the person, they can be guided/prompted through the proper movements to enhance performance and to avoid injury. Like an instructor teaches how to fly a plane via dual controls.
I imagine this technology has been available for some time in the movie industry, what with millions of budget dollars. Glad to see the form and functionality has advanced to be useful to sporting pursuits.
Yes, this is like a virtual co-pilot. One application I've seen is that pro golfers and ball players are capturing their expert golf or baseball swings. Users can then match their own swings to the experts to see where they are matching for falling short of the expert's swings.
I have seen applications where Hollywood would dress an actor in a MEMS suit and use the feedback from it to "vitualize" them for use in CGI; much more lifelike than regular computer animation. I think it has been used for video game design as well.
By refining topologies and using new fluid technology, Moog's new peak sine drive controller increases available power without increasing controller volume.
Two new introductions in the world of motion drives for automation are moving toward use of standard Ethernet communications, eliminating the use of custom hardware.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
1 
