MOTEK Introduces New Motion Capture Method
- "REMOCAP" - Remote Motion Capture.

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This new method is a joint venture of MOTEK, Intrax International Satellite Services, VICON Motion System, KPN Quest Content and Media Services and Kaydara.

Up till now, motion capture production involved complex logistics and frequently, the need of a whole crew to get to the motion capture studio, sometimes located abroad. In addition, it can be a matter of weeks until the motion capture data is delivered to the client. With this new method, a two-way video, audio and motion capture data link is established using satellite connection. Using the video and audio connection, the director, who is located at his home base, can see, hear and direct a performer located at the MOTEK studio in Amsterdam. In this way, the performer and the director can interact with each other as if they where in the same room. At the same time, the performer, using optical-markers suit, generates motion capture data, which is recorded and saved on the director's computer, while he is watching the rendered digital character reacting to his instructions.

MOTEK's founder and CEO, Oshri Even-Zohar, came up with the idea 4 years ago, but had to wait until the technology reached a point where it became possible. Using Intrax satellite up-link facilities and KPN Quest's satellite transponder, it is possible now to produce, in real-time, motion capture data regardless to the geographical location of the customer and in a simpler and cost effective way.

The IBC demo set-up was held in two locations: one is at the MOTEK's studio in Amsterdam. Here the performer who's wearing an optical motion capture suite, is placed on MOTEK's CAREN-motion platform and immersed with video, audio and active/reactive environment. For the communication with the director, a standard video/audio system is used and for the motion capture data, a 12 infra-red cameras system by VICONT will be used. The second location was the VICON's Booth at IBC - where the director was located with a video/audio system for communication with the performer and Kaydara's FilmBox system for live render at the spot.

During the demo, a virtual environment did run, while the performer motion data was transmitted, via satellite, to VICON's booth. The presenter/director demonstrated the new workflow by interacting with the performer, showing the system and method capabilities.