What are the benefits and limitations of motion capture technology?

Motion capture technology is a great solution for assessing the whole body, and we recommend using it whenever possible.

Benefits

Motion capture is best for assessing the whole body. It can be used to replace manual observation, which can be time-intensive and less accurate. It can also replace the need for wearables, which can be cumbersome for the operator and require additional equipment and data processing.

The best circumstances for using motion capture include the following:

• • You can move safely around the operator when recording the task
  • You can record the video in the same room as the operator
  • The operator and task(s) can fit within the whole frame
  • No other operators are crossing in front of the main operator
  • There is high contrast between the operator’s clothing and the background
  • The operator is not wearing clothing that makes it difficult to discern body parts, such as unzipped jackets or aprons
  • The environment is well-lit

Limitations

While motion capture is recommended in most situations, it may not be the best solution for gathering data in certain environments and jobs. These situations include:

• • Jobs requiring more than one person (a two-person lift)
  • Filming through plexiglass or near other reflective surfaces
  • Low lighting and/or poor contrast
  • Operators wearing PPE that obstructs the eyes and ears (respirators, reflective face shields, hazmat suits, inert glove boxes)
  • Extensive twisting, which includes back/torso, neck, and forearm rotation
  • Environments that are unsafe for video data collection (crowded areas, hazardous equipment, excessive height)