Vicon, the motion capture technology specialist for the life science, entertainment and engineering industries, today announces the launch of Nexus 2 – the newest version of its industry leading data capture software for Vicon’s life science customers. The update addresses key speed, methodology and accuracy challenges faced by both clinical research environments and high-end biomechanics research for sports and rehabilitation.
The algorithms behind one of Nexus 2’s key features, Functional Calibration, were developed by a research team lead by Dr. Markus Heller, now Professor of Biomechanics at the University of Southampton. More accurately pinpointing joint centre positions and joint axes orientations is vital for sports and rehabilitation gait analysis. Previously these essential variables of reference were estimated through the use of one single frame calibration. Functional Calibration within Nexus 2 allows multiple frames of dynamic movement trials to be analysed, enabling much improved tracking capabilities and much more accurate and reliable results.
Dr. Heller commented: ‘It’s incredibly satisfying to see the results of our research addressed within such an integrated piece of software. Until now, access to our technology was limited to just a few specialists, and to see it now readily available to the broader community by the development and launch of Nexus 2 is a giant leap forward for the industry. I’m very proud to have been involved.’
Nexus 2 enables powerful modelling, automated quality assessment and customized workflows for managing data collection and processing. The comprehensive list of new features and upgrades include benefits such as:
Built-in automation
The Nexus 2 Automatic Quality Assessment feature significantly reduces the need for a manual check for inconsistencies such as gaps among thousands of pieces of data and frames by automatically recognising where there are gaps and what size they are. Nexus 2 then provides intelligent new methods to quickly fix the issues.
Enhanced Intelligence
The labelling engine has been completely reengineered to enable much improved automatic labelling results and a vastly streamlined process. The new Auto Initialised Labelling feature can eliminate the need for manual labelling in most circumstances cutting processing times significantly. In addition, the Biomechanics Workflow feature allows a user to set up a series of steps - from data trial to process trial to movement trial. And the real-time Feedback Indicator allows the user to monitor subject calibration progress as the data is collected.
Greater openness
Direct integration with MATLAB and Python allows open source access to data collected by Nexus and enables huge flexibility improvements for users.
Imogen Moorhouse, CEO of Vicon, added: ‘Nexus 2 continues Vicon’s history of innovating and designing technology that not only helps our customers’ with their day-to-day challenges but also advances industry capabilities. The technology in Nexus 2 offers the most comprehensive and intelligent solution to help support research and rehabilitation within the life science community.’
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