SAN JOSE, Calif.--With sensors becoming ever 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.
At a recent 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 effects of pairing GPS tracking with a full sensor-laden biomechanical body suit for sports like snowboarding, allowed for “extremely accurate insight,” not just into the boarder’s movement, but also into their 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, showing off a plethora of videos like the one below to illustrate his point.
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