April 11, 2011 — Movea, motion technology developer, created a wireless, miniaturized, inertial measurement unit (IMU) that uses MEMS sensors to accurately measure 9 degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion with a PCB module that is about the size of a small wristwatch.
The MotionPod is a patented hardware solution for motion sensing that incorporates a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis magnetometer in fully integrated package complete with software and wireless interface. The miniaturized MotionPod is now an off-the-shelf component, ready to be used in fitness, gaming, and sports applications.
It is also successfully being used by RM Ingénierie, a subsidiary of the CEGEDIM Group, to enable a new generation of joint assessment and rehabilitation applications. Sam Guilaumé, Movea’s CEO, notes that the nine-axis sensing device provides "precise, real-time angular information with a dynamic accuracy of 1 degree, enabling very accurate measurement of rehabilitation and fitness activities." The MotionPods capture limb movement and provide precise information on limb orientation and mobility. MotionPods provide a fast and accurate record of a patient’s progress to be used for biofeedback into evaluation and exercises, making limb rehabilitation interesting and fun by engaging the patient.
A single MotionPod can provide information like range of motion, rotation, speed, and acceleration. Multiple MotionPods can also be networked to gather information simultaneously from different parts of the body for applications such as performance analysis and full body motion capture. The MotionPod measures 33 x 22 x 15mm (1.3 x 0.8 x 0.6") and weighs 14g (0.5 oz). It is designed to clip onto a strap for easy attachment to the body or even to be patched directly onto the body.
Each MotionPod has a built-in, 2.4GHz wireless transmitter that uses Movea’s proprietary wireless technology to deliver a range of up to 30m (100ft) with very low power consumption to maximize battery life, providing up to 8 hours of usage. Data from the MotionPod is transmitted wireless to a receiver connected to a computer via a standard USB connection. Up to 32 MotionPods can be connected to a single MotionController.
The MotionPod comes with Movea’s SmartMotion Development Kit (SMDK) which provides a Windows-based API allowing application developers, systems integrators and OEMs to rapidly integrate and customize the use of wireless multi-sensors in their applications. It also includes a companion application, the MotionDevTool that has an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) for real-time visualization and integration.
Movea is a leading provider of motion processing chips, software, firmware, and IP for the consumer electronics industry. Further information about Movea can be found at www.movea.com.
Follow Small Times on Twitter.com by clicking www.twitter.com/smalltimes. Or join our Facebook group