From KinectTM to anatomically-correct motion modelling: Preliminary results for human application

The KinectTM sensors can be used as cost effective and easy to use Markerless Motion Capture devices. Therefore a wide range of new potential applications are possible. Unfortunately, right now, the stick model skeleton provided by the KinectTM is only composed of 20 points located approximately at the joint level of the subject which movements are being captured by the camera. This relatively limited amount of key points is limiting the use of such devices to relatively crude motion assessment. The field of motion analysis however is requesting more key points in order to represent motion according to clinical conventions based on so-called anatomical planes. To extend the possibility of the KinectTM supplementary data must be added to the available standard skeleton. This paper presents a new Model-Based Approach (MBA) that has been specially developed for KinectTM input based on previous validated anatomical and biomechanical studies performed by the authors. This approach allows real 3D motion analysis of complex movements respecting conventions expected in biomechanics and clinical motion analysis.