Industry-leading inertial motion capture provider launches MVN Animate 2019.2, including GPS functionality and remote on-body recording

Enschede, Netherlands, 28 Aug 2019 – Xsens, the leading innovator in inertial based motion tracking technology, has today announced the official release of MVN Animate 2019.2.

This new release adds a range of new features, including remote on-body recording that can support up to 25 devices synchronously and GPS support for high quality position aiding even in challenging environments.

Watch MVN 2019.2 in action here.

Remote on-body recording  

On-body recording allows users to setup their MVN system and move outside of the range of the access point, the data is then stored on the body pack and later imported in the MVN software.

MVN 2019.2 allows for multiple body packs to be triggered remotely and synchronously. Users no longer have to manually start and stop recording, as a new feature in the software interface allows this to be done remotely. Time code is also supported in the new feature.

Particularly useful for MVN Animate users, this update allows for up to 25 devices to be triggered synchronously, allowing an entire soccer field of 22 players to be recorded, for instance.

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) support

This update adds full GNSS support, including the well-known American Global Positioning System (GPS), as well as Russia’s GLONASS and Japan’s QZSS.

The MVN solution has previously been limited to tracking global position when the user’s activity involves foot contact with the ground, such as walking and running. However, with this update, the MVN system can now also track users partaking in activities that do not feature defined foot contact such as cycling, horse riding, skiing and skating. 

GNSS support also combats long-term drift that can cause an issue during foot contact tracking. Due to the variations in GNSS accuracy caused by tunnels or built-up urban areas, the MVN software has additionally been updated to include a GNSS accuracy graph.

Furthermore, MVN 2019.2 adds a number of other improvements, including:

• Addition of measurement of trunk angle against vertical added, in response to request from the ergonomics industry
• Microsoft Excel export data option added, a more universal type than the MVN X structure, requiring MATLAB software
• Vehicle Scenario
• Size of recording button now adjustable (2x or 4x bigger) for ease of use on larger mobile, tablets or other touchscreen devices
• List of markers now viewable in the MVN software interface for easier tracking
• Timestamped live data can now be used from the body pack for other synchronization purposes

MVN 2019 is Xsens' proprietary motion capture software. It is used in conjunction with Xsens MVN suits and hardware to record, monitor and analyze movement. Xsens MVN solutions are based on fusing inertial technologies such as gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers to capture movement.

The benefit to users of an inertial motion capture suit is that they can capture anywhere, in any environment, with total confidence – and without the need for markers, volumes and cameras or extensive post-capture clean-up or editing.

The Xsens MVN 2019.2 update is available for all existing customers with a valid support contract and will be shipped as standard with every new Xsens purchase.  

Hein Beute, Director Product Management at Xsens, comments: “Since our ground breaking 2019 release, we have observed content creation studios and academic research departments are adopting inertial motion capture into their ‘tool set’ at an ever increasing rate as the standard of quality in the data recorded has reached such high levels”.

“The MVN 2019.2 software update showcases our commitment to continuous product improvement and innovation. We love seeing what our customers achieve with our tech and our teams at Xsens will continue to keep pushing what is possible in inertial motion capture.”

Xsens delivers state-of-the-art motion capture solutions to triple-A game developers and leading VFX studios across the globe, as well as global clients across the automotive, industrial, sports science and biomechanical industries and in research departments of many universities around the world.

About Xsens

Xsens is the leading innovator in 3D motion tracking technology and products. Its sensor fusion technologies enable a seamless interaction between the physical and the digital world in applications such as industrial control and stabilization, health, sports and 3D character animation. Clients and partners include Electronic Arts, NBC, Universal, Daimler, Autodesk, ABB, Siemens and various other leading institutes and companies throughout the world.

Xsens has offices in Enschede, the Netherlands and Los Angeles, California.