STF Spotlight: Motion Capture
Mechanical engineering students at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering can use the Motion Capture Lab, courtesy of student tech fees. The motion capture system tracks the position of rigid bodies by attaching infrared markers to specific items and seeing how they move. Dr. Camilo Ordonez, facilitator of the Motion Capture Lab, states:
“The Motion Capture Lab exposes the students to new tools that are present in many industries and research labs. They gain that experience before they go into those settings.”
College of Engineering student attaching the sensors for testing
The Lab provides accurate, real-time data on student projects, which enables students to know whether their design is working as it is supposed to or if adjustments are needed. Considering the extent to which multiple undergraduate courses are theoretical-data based, the motion capture system uses real-world data, and students receive hands-on experience they may not have encountered otherwise. Additionally, the system can develop control algorithms for mechatronic and robotic systems.
In the world of engineering, there is a lot that can be calculated, but at a certain point, it is just theoretical until tested. With upgrades in technology like the motion capture system, we can test the real motions of a person's movement or how hills affect a car's momentum. This technology provides data that can be used to develop new mechanisms accurately.
Sensors being used to test a persons movement
The creation of the Lab has enhanced the mechanical engineering undergraduate curriculum for four core classes (Dynamics, System Dynamics and Vibrations, Senior Design and Mechatronics Lab) and four dual-listed technical electives, including Introduction to Mobile Robotics, Introduction to Robotics, Bio-robotic Locomotion and Mechatronics II. These courses help provide a solid foundation of engineering concepts for students. These experiences are helping FSU students have experiences that set them apart from other graduates looking to find jobs after graduation.
To learn more about the Motional Capture Lab and how the motional capture system works in real time, watch this month's STF spotlight.
