The underwater world presents unique challenges for research, training, and engineering, where precision and reliability are crucial. Traditional measurement systems often fall short in submerged environments due to light distortion, limited visibility, and restricted accessibility.
Underwater motion capture (mocap) solutions provide an advanced way to overcome these barriers, enabling accurate 3D tracking and analysis across a wide range of fields. From life sciences to marine engineering, these systems are reshaping how motion and movement are studied beneath the surface.
Advancing Swimming Research
In sports science, underwater motion capture is transforming swimming analysis. By tracking swimmers in real-time, researchers and coaches can measure stroke efficiency, body alignment, and propulsion. This data-driven approach provides valuable insights into performance optimisation while reducing the risk of injury. Mocap systems can also capture movements that are not easily visible to the naked eye, offering a deeper understanding of how athletes interact with water.
Enhancing Aquatic Rehabilitation
Beyond elite sports, underwater motion capture also plays a role in rehabilitation. Patients undergoing aquatic therapy benefit from detailed biomechanical assessments of their movements, helping clinicians monitor progress and adjust treatment strategies. The buoyancy of water reduces strain on the body, while motion capture ensures that even subtle improvements are accurately documented, making recovery more effective and measurable.
Supporting Marine Engineering
In engineering, underwater mocap solutions are used to study the movement and performance of marine vessels and structures. These systems make it possible to test scale models in controlled environments, such as towing tanks, where precise data on hydrodynamics and structural behavior can be gathered. Engineers rely on this information to improve ship design, enhance fuel efficiency, and increase overall safety in maritime operations.
Structural Monitoring & Testing
The technology is equally valuable for monitoring subsea structures, such as offshore platforms, pipelines, and renewable energy installations. Underwater motion capture helps detect movements, stresses, and deformations that could compromise safety and reliability. With accurate tracking, engineers can simulate real-world conditions, conduct stress tests, and implement design adjustments before deploying structures in open water.
Expanding Research Opportunities
The versatility of underwater mocap extends into academia, where researchers can explore questions related to biomechanics, hydrodynamics, and environmental sciences. These solutions enable experiments that were previously limited by the challenges of submerged data collection. By providing reliable measurements, underwater motion capture expands the possibilities for innovation and discovery in multiple fields.
Educational institutions also benefit from underwater motion capture systems, using them to train future professionals in both sports science and marine engineering. By working with real-time data and visualization tools, students gain practical insights into the complex interactions between human movement and aquatic environments, or the performance of marine structures.
Introducing Qualisys Underwater Solutions
Qualisys provides specialised underwater motion capture systems that combine robustness with high precision. The Arqus and Miqus camera ranges are designed for use in submerged environments, offering advanced tracking capabilities for research, rehabilitation, and engineering. These solutions are versatile enough to support both scientific studies and industrial applications, making them a trusted choice for institutions worldwide.
To learn more about Qualisys’ solutions, visit our page now: https://bmec.asia/my/qualisys
More Information
Qualisys | https://www.qualisys.com/engineering/marine-vessels-and-structures/
Reference:
- (n.d.). 3D full body Mocap Analysis of Swimming. Retrieved from https://www.qualisys.com/life-sciences/swimming/
- (n.d.). Marine vessels & structures. Retrieved from https://www.qualisys.com/engineering/marine-vessels-and-structures/
- (n.d.). Underwater motion capture cameras. Retrieved from https://www.qualisys.com/cameras/underwater/
Qualisys / BMEC Pte Ltd