3D for the people: multi-camera motion capture in the field with consumer-grade cameras and open source software
Abstract
Ecological, behavioral and biomechanical studies often need to quantify animal movement and behavior in three dimensions. In laboratory studies, a common tool to accomplish these measurements is the use of multiple, calibrated high-speed cameras. Until very recently, the complexity, weight and cost of such cameras have made their deployment in field situations risky; furthermore, such cameras are not affordable to many researchers. Here, we show how inexpensive, consumer-grade cameras can adequately accomplish these measurements both within the laboratory and in the field. Combined with our methods and open source software, the availability of inexpensive, portable and rugged cameras will open up new areas of biological study by providing precise 3D tracking and quantification of animal and human movement to researchers in a wide variety of field and laboratory contexts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jul 21, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.1242/bio.018713
Entities
People
- Brandon E Jackson
- Dennis J. Evangelista
- Dylan D. Ray
- Tyson L. Hedrick
Organizations
- Longwood University
- National Science Foundation
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Naval Academy
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill