Ascension's MotionStar trackers are used in the MotionMonitor to track body movements. Motion and weight data are captured, audio tones are generated and 3-D skeletons depicting the lift are rendered on ordinary PCs driven by Pentium II 450mhz processors. Magnetic tracking using DC field technology provides several of the LiftTrainer system's benefits. Everything is done in realtime, capturing position and orientation data for as many as 18 body segments and instantly reporting the results relative to normal tables. With back injury an expensive, time-consuming burden, the value of preventative measures cannot be underestimated.
Back injury is a big problem, including what it costs to an industry.
What's exciting about this is that it is an application where you can take very theoretical research with a solid basis in science and apply it to mundane, real-world situations like lifting in a warehouse and do something good for specific individuals. Motion tracking is putting on a star performance in the medical field as well. With high level accuracy, Ascension's miniBIRD tracker employs pulsed DC magnetic-field transmitting and sensing technology to measure the position and orientation of miniaturized sensors mounted on probes or attached to measuring equipment. Spatial locations are tracked in realtime, presenting an opportunity for precise navigation inside the body for surgical and pre-operative procedures. Using the miniBIRD in conjunction with an ultrasound scanner, a surgeon can make sure biopsy needles reach their target.