Motion capture has always been a costly and time-consuming process that only corporations had access to. Traditionally, it requires dedicated studios, specialized equipment, and trained operators. This makes it an exclusive tool for large-scale productions. However, Sony’s new mobile motion capture system, mocopi, promises to bring this technology to the general public.
While Sony previously worked on motion capture in the gaming sphere with the PlayStation Move and PlayStation VR, that type of motion capture was limited. You could make the character in the game move like you in real time, but the novelty ended there. Motion capture as a concept is much more than that. It tracks the movements of people and translates them into digital form. This, in recent years, has changed how we experience video games, animation, and movies as it gives digital characters real movements.
Virtual PHIA vs. IRL PHIA 😳 used mocopi for this. kinda dope side-by-side. pic.twitter.com/LBvpj257fR
— PHIA ⭐️ (@PHIA_bunny) July 6, 2023
Affordable sensors for motion capture
mocopi breaks down barriers by providing an affordable, studio-free, full-body motion capture experience accessible to users. It consists of six small lightweight sensors that can be easily attached. Combined with the dedicated smartphone app for Android and iOS, these sensors enable precise motion tracking. It comes with its own Software Development Kit (SDK), which seemingly integrates the outputs into platforms such as Unity and Unreal Engine.
Whether you are an indie developer working on a passion project, a filmmaker aiming to create stunning CGI, or an animator seeking to add lifelike movements to your characters, mocopi opens up a world of opportunities. You can now create characters with realistic movements and capture action sequences in a natural and authentic way, all without having exaggerated costs. It’s a game-changer for creative people who want to bring their visions to life with realistic and immersive motion.
The system was showcased in practice during Los Angeles Anime Expo at the VShojo booth. Sony also came back to their motion capture roots and struck a deal with the popular game, VRChat, for mocopi integration.
Sony Mocopi at our booth! pic.twitter.com/TcfetLYC5G
— Tomathin (@tomathin24) July 1, 2023
With mocopi, the barriers that once restricted access to motion capture technology are dismantled. The system allows anyone with a smartphone to delve into the realm of immersive motion capture. The cost is drastically lower than the traditional full-body motion capture, with the device retailing at $449. It is important to note that the current release of the system is only available in the US market. However, its introduction marks a significant step in making motion capture more accessible and affordable to a wider audience. Hopefully, the target audience will become even wider and a global release will soon follow.
YouTube: mocopi – Sony’s NEW mobile motion capture system
Photo credits: The images shown are owned by Sony Electronics Inc. and were made available for press usage.
Source: PR Newswire
