Evaluation of a multi-sensor Leap Motion setup for biomechanical motion capture of the hand

Andrew Houston, Vanessa Walters, Thomas Corbett, Russell Coppack

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

The Leap Motion controller (LMC) offers a low-cost means of markerless hand tracking, however, its utility is limited by a small field of view and reliance on appropriate sensor positioning. A recent update from Leap Motion has enabled the use of a multiple LMC device on a single computer, allowing the tracking of hands from multiple orientations, potentially overcoming the aforementioned limitations. This study describes a method of implementing a multi-LMC setup and evaluates its effect on the validity and reliability of the derived kinematics. This study implemented a Kabsch algorithm and Kalman filter to re-orientate and fuse the trajectories captured by three LMC at different orientations. Reliability was assessed by comparing between-day differences in maximum joint angles (ΔMJA) and a calculated coefficient of multiple correlations (CMC). Validity was assessed by comparing the LMC to the gold standard, a Vicon markered motion capture (MMC) system, and calculating the ΔMJA and applying the linear fit method. The proposed method was evaluated by comparing the reliability and validity of the single-LMC setups to the multi-LMC setup. A multi-LMC setup proved successful in improving the reliability and validity of kinematic data, most notably where reliability and validity were poor and variation was high between the single-LMC setups. Findings suggest that through implementing the proposed method, limitations associated with single-LMC setups, notably its reliance on optimal sensor positioning, can be overcome.

Original languageEnglish
Article number110713
JournalJournal of Biomechanics
Volume127
Early online date28 Aug 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Oct 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors of this article would like to thank Blatchford Prosthetics for supplying us with the prosthetic hand used in this study.

Funding

The authors of this article would like to thank Blatchford Prosthetics for supplying us with the prosthetic hand used in this study.

Keywords

  • Leap Motion
  • Markerless Motion Capture
  • Motion capture
  • Reliability
  • Validity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Rehabilitation

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