Xsens/Image Metrics deal
Motion tracking and facial animation outfits buddy up.
Enschede, The Netherlands and Santa Monica, CA, USA - March 3, 2010 - Xsens Technologies, a leading supplier of 3D motion tracking products based on miniature MEMS inertial sensor technology, and Image Metrics, a leading provider of facial animation technology and services, today announced the integration of the Companies' motion capture and facial animation technologies to provide a comprehensive solution for facial and body performance capture for the video game and film industries. Through the partnership, video game and film industry clients will be able to capture both facial and body movement in one shoot, without the need to visit a specialized facility. Once captured, the motion data will be provided to the client for integration in any of the leading 3D software programs.
Xsens' MVN inertial motion capture suit is an easy-to-use, cost-effective system for full-body human motion capture based on unique, state-of-the-art miniature inertial sensors, biomechanical models and sensor fusion algorithms. This allows studios freedom to capture movement in any location at a moment's notice.
Image Metrics' performance-driven facial animation process captures highly detailed facial performances from standard video without the need for markers or makeup. Head cameras developed by Image Metrics allow for simultaneous facial and full body capture. The videos are then analyzed and transferred to a computer-generated (CG) character using Image Metrics' proprietary computer vision technology.
"At Xsens we focus on providing full body motion capture technology with complete freedom of movement," said Casper Peeters, CEO of Xsens. "We have been on the lookout for partners focused on specialized solutions for facial animation. As Image Metrics' video-based technology also allows actors to move freely during the capture session, we see the company as a natural partner."
"Combining our facial animation technology and Xsens' MVN full body motion capture system will allow studios to rapidly record and review both facial and body motion simultaneously." said Brian Waddle, Image Metrics' executive vice president. "This allows artists to quickly and affordably produce results that are based on natural, real-world motion, with no restrictions on capture location."
London-based visual effects studio Double Negative is currently using the combination of Xsens and Image Metrics technologies on an upcoming project. Through this new partnership, Image Metrics and Xsens will work on further integrating their facial animation and performance capture products and bring them to the industry.
To find out more about Image Metrics and Xsens, please visit booth 1910 on the GDC San Francisco exhibition floor from March 11 - 13, 2010. Xsens will host a GDC tech talk titled "Cameraless Motion Capture at Your Desk" on Friday, March 12 from 9-10am in room 302, South Hall. Image Metrics will host a Tech talk focused on getting the best facial animation possible in your engine. The Image Metrics technology session with be on Friday, March 12 from 3-4pm in room 123, North Hall.
About Xsens
Xsens is a leading supplier of 3D motion tracking products based upon miniature MEMS inertial sensor technology. Since its inception in 2000, several thousands of motion sensors and motion capture solutions have successfully been deployed in areas such as 3D character animation, rehabilitation and sports science, and robot and camera stabilization. Customers include Electronic Arts, Sony Pictures Imageworks, INAIL Prosthesis Centre, Daimler, Saab Underwater Systems, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and many other companies and institutes throughout the world. Xsens is headquartered in Enschede, The Netherlands and has a subsidiary in Los Angeles, California, US. http://www.xsens.com
About Image Metrics
Image Metrics provides facial animation software and services to the interactive entertainment and film industries. Developed by a team of computer vision Ph.D.s, Image Metrics rapidly re-creates facial performances without markers or makeup, achieving levels of realism and fidelity that are unparalleled in computer graphics. Image Metrics' solutions enjoy widespread adoption by some of the best-known production studios in the entertainment world, including Double Negative, Rockstar Games, 2K Sports, Activision-Blizzard, Bethesda, Electronic Arts, and Sony Computer Entertainment. Image Metrics has offices in Santa Monica, California and Manchester, U.K.
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Media contacts
Xsens
Remco Sikkema, remco.sikkema@xsens.com, +31-88-97 367 00
Image Metrics
Bender/Helper Impact
Shannon McPhee & Jessie Comstock
shannon_mcphee@bhimpact.com | jessie_comstock@bhimpact.com | 310-473-4147