AI Markerless Motion Capture, Redefining the New Experience of Motion Capture!

Source：

2024 Nov. 22

    Applications: Motion Capture, AI Markerless Motion Capture, Film and Television Animation Production (Avatar), Game Development, Virtual Reality, Motion Analysis, Biomechanics Research.

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the traditional motion capture (Motion Capture, abbreviated as mocap) technology has also witnessed a revolutionary breakthrough - the application of AI markerless motion capture technology has emerged. This technology abandons the traditional marker points and sensors and, through advanced computer vision and artificial intelligence technologies, realizes the real-time and precise capture of human bodies or objects, bringing an unprecedented motion capture experience to film and animation production, game development, virtual reality, motion analysis, biomechanics research, and so on.

What is AI Markerless Motion Capture?

AI markerless motion capture is an emerging motion capture technology. This technology relies on computer vision algorithms and depth-sensing cameras to analyze and locate the movements of people or objects in space. One of its major advantages is that when tracking and recording the movement process of the capture target, it can achieve the effects of precise tracking and positioning without installing physical markers or sensors on body parts. Specific principle: Information databases are established by collecting videos and images of human body movements. Algorithm models are optimized through large-scale data training. Then, the video images are processed by algorithms, such as denoising, enhancement, and adjustment. After that, the outlines and key points of the human body are extracted. The system can accurately infer the postures and movement trajectories of the human body, and real-time identify the key parts and movement information of the human body, thus realizing the real-time capture and reconstruction of the movements of the target object.

How to empower the motion capture experience?

The application of AI markerless motion capture technology further optimizes the motion capture process. While maintaining high precision

AI markerless capture doesn't require wearing any devices. The capture effect can be achieved with just one camera, which is low in cost and doesn't take up much space.

Traditional motion capture technologies require professional equipment and operators, while AI markerless motion capture technology lowers the technical threshold. By using ordinary color cameras and computer vision technology, motion capture can be achieved, which enables more individuals and enterprises to utilize this technology, thus promoting its popularization and application.

Diversified application fields

Motion capture technology can be applied to full-body capture and facial capture to create various character images and roles, presenting vivid manners and expressions. With the help of AI markerless motion capture, it can not only be used for facial capture but also for the recognition of the overall posture, making the motion capture process more intuitive and visible, providing effective references, enhancing production results, and giving a brand-new experience to film and animation production.

During the early stage of game development, specifically in the game character action design phase, the AI markerless motion capture technology can be utilized for convenient and accurate virtual rehearsals. This enables the verification of the feasibility of action scripts and can also inspire more imagination for artistic creation, thereby helping to enhance the action quality and expressiveness of game characters.

In terms of character interaction and setting, the AI markerless motion capture technology can achieve the dynamic presentation of the whole body based on the changes of body movements and postures, so as to help users obtain a better interactive experience.

The AI markerless motion capture technology is used to capture human 3D motion data for biomechanical analysis in research, clinical, and sports science applications. It not only eliminates the need to attach physical markers to the subjects, reducing their burden, but also reduces the work of frequent calibrations compared to inertial capture. With the intuitive image data, behaviors such as running, jumping, and gait can be analyzed and evaluated to correct and reduce the risk of injury.

For dancers, an unrestrained and relaxed environment is more conducive to expression and creation. The AI markerless motion capture technology gets rid of the problem of wearing motion capture equipment, which is more beneficial for releasing the performing talents of dancers and inspiring creative inspiration. For example, the "AI + Art Education Studio" jointly created by Qingtong and Shanghai Film Art Academy helps teachers and students majoring in dance performance to carry out teaching and research work, enables personalized teaching methods, optimizes the talent cultivation model, enhances students' professional qualities, and promotes the future progress and development of students.

For sports, wearing relevant equipment may affect the final analysis results. However, AI markerless motion capture can ensure a more authentic evaluation effect. In a study by the University of Kansas, markerless motion capture technology was used to determine the skills of proficient free-throw shooters. The study indicated that proficient free-throw shooters who can achieve a shooting percentage of over 70% will execute the shooting motion in a more controlled manner.

The development trends of AI markerless motion capture

With the progress and breakthroughs of AI technology, AI is making its way into numerous industries, adding infinite possibilities to industry development and daily life. As for AI markerless motion capture in the motion capture industry, it will also empower new drivers of growth along with continuous technological breakthroughs, injecting a continuous stream of internal impetus into the development of the motion capture industry. Research by relevant institutions shows that it is expected that by 2031, the markerless motion capture market will expand at a robust compound annual growth rate of +17%. This implies that AI markerless motion capture will be more comprehensively applied in various major fields, promoting the development of industries.