Vicon Overview
Vicon is a leading provider of motion capture technology, renowned for its precision, reliability, and innovative solutions across various industries, including life sciences, sports, entertainment, and more.
What Vicon Does
Vicon specializes in developing and delivering motion capture systems that record the movement of objects or people with high accuracy. This technology is utilized in diverse applications such as clinical gait analysis, biomechanical research, sports performance analysis, virtual production, and robotics validation.
Key Products and Software
Vicon Nexus
- This application is primarily used in the life sciences market for clinical gait analysis, biomechanical research, and sports performance. It connects to, controls, calibrates, collects, and processes data from Vicon 3D motion capture systems. Nexus integrates with various third-party devices like video cameras, force platforms, EMG systems, and accelerometers. It also allows real-time display and streaming of 3D data, along with the ability to overlay 3D and video data. The software includes an Offline Data SDK for integration with MATLAB.
Vicon Tracker
- Designed for precise object tracking, Tracker is known for its high accuracy and low latency. It features single camera tracking, real-time system modeling with Simulink, and the ability to synchronize data from third-party devices. Tracker offers extensive API support for remote command and control, and it integrates with various platforms including ROS, Python, MATLAB, C , .Net, Unity, and Unreal. It is capable of tracking high numbers of objects at high speeds and over large volumes, making it suitable for applications like unmanned ground and aerial vehicles.
Vicon Shogun
- Shogun is tailored for virtual production and entertainment. It includes features like low latency object tracking, which allows for robust tracking even in situations where traditional methods might fail. Shogun also offers interactive solving for quick adjustments of solving bones and retargeting bones, and a playblast command to render viewport views into video or image sequences. This software is optimized for virtual production environments and supports advanced tracking of rigid objects such as camera-tracking crowns or props.
Vicon Evoke
- Although not detailed extensively in the sources, Evoke is mentioned as part of Vicon’s suite for virtual reality applications, leveraging Vicon’s motion capture algorithms and precision engineering.
Key Features and Functionality
Precision and Accuracy
- Vicon systems are engineered to provide the most precise and reliable data, with dynamic accuracy as high as 0.017mm. This precision is achieved through advanced calibration tools like the Active Wand, which ensures synchronized overlay across the entire capture volume.
Real-Time Tracking
- Vicon systems excel in real-time object position and orientation tracking with extremely low latency, making them ideal for applications requiring immediate feedback.
Integration and Synchronization
- Vicon software seamlessly integrates with various third-party devices, including video cameras, force platforms, EMG systems, and other scientific equipment. This synchronization is facilitated by advanced sync boxes like the Lock sync box, which supports features like Timecode, Genlock, and synchronized triggering.
Extensive API and Platform Support
- Vicon offers extensive API support, allowing users to optimize their workflows through remote command and control functionality. The systems integrate with multiple platforms such as MATLAB, Python, C , .Net, Unity, Unreal, and ROS.
Large Scale and High Speed Tracking
- Vicon systems are capable of tracking in large volumes, such as warehouse-scale installations, and can handle high numbers of objects moving at high speeds. This makes them suitable for a wide range of applications, including sports, robotics, and virtual production.
User-Friendly and Robust Operation
- Features like “set and forget” system healing ensure that the calibration is maintained, providing smooth and uninterrupted operation. The software also includes tools for interactive solving and automated processes, enhancing user efficiency.
In summary, Vicon’s motion capture technology is distinguished by its precision, real-time capabilities, extensive integration options, and robust operation, making it a leading choice across various industries.