AI motion tracking technology: an overview
Camera motion tracking technology, a once niche tool, is gaining transformative significance across industries. Formerly struggling with accuracy, noticeable latency, complex environments, and equipment for functioning, live motion tracking applications now work only using consumer-grade cameras.
Let’s discover how integrating artificial intelligence has reshaped how motion tracking systems are performing.
What is motion tracking software and how does it differ from other linked technologies?
Motion tracking technology enables the detection and following of movement from provided video footage. Whether easier video editing, gaming animation, virtual and augmented reality, or assisted public surveillance, the technology stands behind various workflows.
It advanced by adopting artificial intelligence, thereby enabling real-time tracking without sensors and markers. But we’ll dive into that later.
Motion tracking technology might be confused with two, on the first glance, similar techniques:
- Motion capture
- Motion analysis
But what’s the difference?
Motion tracking, motion capture, and analysis: the difference between approaches
| Definition | Purpose | |
| Motion tracking | The process of following the movement of objects or markers in real-time video feeds or recordings | To track the path and trajectory of objects or subjects |
| Motion capture | The process of recording the movement of objects or subjects – quite often, by using special sensors or markers – and translating that movement into digitally processed information | To capture detailed movement for recreating realistic animations and performances |
| Motion analysis | The process of examining the movement of objects or subjects to assess and interpret different metrics | To extract meaningful information – speed, acceleration, biomechanical efficiency, and more |
Motion tracking, motion capture, and analysis: key scenarios
| Field | Application | |
| Motion tracking | – AR & VR solutions VFX & video editing – Gesture recognition – Task & process automation – Public surveillance | – Real-world alignment of movement – Footage stabilization and synchronization – Touchless controls through movement – Robot guidance – Real-time monitoring |
| Motion capture | – VR solutions – Film animation – Game development – Medical research – Sports performance | – Movement tracking for full-body, immersive avatars – Performance record for realistic digital characters – Performance record for lifelike moving character – Data collection for accurate surgical planning – Data collection for in-depth training insights |
| Motion analysis | – Industrial monitoring – Assisted engineering – Sports science – Medical diagnostics – Physical therapy | – Anomaly detection – Design optimization – Risk and efficiency assessment – The assessment of movements (gait, posture, and more) – The tracking of progress (during rehabilitation) |
How does motion tracking software work?
By applying several techniques, motion tracking technology identifies and translates the nuances of movement, which facilitate video editing, gaming animation, virtual and augmented reality, and other related segments.
Acquisition
At the first stage, the motion tracking system will capture the input, either real-time or pre-recorded, by using:
- Video capture by utilizing high-resolution cameras to obtain clear footage
- Video pre-processing (noise reduction, contrast enhancement, and stabilization)
Detection
At the next stage, the motion tracking system will detect relevant objects or markers within frames by using:
- Template matching to compare frame segments
- Edge detection to identify defining boundaries
- Optical flow to analyze pixel movements and determine important patterns
- Feature extraction to identify distinct points/corners/blobs
Tracking
After detecting key features, the software will follow these points and maintain their identity by using:
- Kalman filtering to predict future locations
- Particle filtering – an approach that uses multiple hypotheses to track complex motion
- Correlation tracking to compare frame regions and find best-fitting matches
- Marker-based or markerless tracking:
- either using physical markers (for example, reflective dots)
- or capturing natural features, which allows greater flexibility in an uncontrolled environment
Output
This stage involves compiling and converting the output for further motion analysis or integration by using:
- Trajectory mapping
- Data export and visualization
AI motion tracking software: where precision meets innovation
Object recognition: more accurate than ever
Traditional video motion tracking was reliant on basic image processing (edge detection, template matching). That meant various issues in more complex scenes.
AI techniques, in particular deep learning, have transformed the process by introducing:
- Feature detection to monitor facial landmarks, limb positions, clothing textures, and more
- Multi-object handling to follow multiple objects, even those moving unpredictably
This means greater reliability in dynamic, cluttered environments.
Real-time insights: faster processing
Traditional video tracking systems have suffered from lagging that limited their utilization across applications. In the first place, they could not handle heavy computation.
AI techniques can process large streams, by utilizing:
- Neural networks for ultra-fast object recognition
- Edge processing to eliminate cloud dependency
This means greater responsiveness.
Increased robustness
The technology also struggled with handling changing lighting, background clutter, and other typical obstacles. And given real-world scenarios aren’t perfect, that’s another serious problem.
Better resilience is achieved by introducing:
- Dataset training to recognize movement patterns even under different conditions
- Context awareness to ignore background distractions
No matter the setting, consistent outputs are attainable.
Reduced dependency on markers and sensors
The technology often required extra equipment – physical markers and sensors, reflective marks, and similar. Quite inconvenient.
This dependency is eliminated by harnessing:
- Feature detection
- Depth estimation to display three dimensions
This shift means innovation without barriers available anywhere.
AI motion tracking software to achieve market advantage
Business differentiation
By offering an innovative, unique solution, you set yourself apart from competitors and attract tech-savvy users. Think about easy editing, realistic animation, and other appealing capabilities for demanding new customers.
Why not stand out?
Revenue opportunities
By offering an advanced, rich functionality, you can tap into paid subscriptions, targeted advertising, and more. And that without needing expensive hardware.
No reason to stick to old-school monetization strategies.
Market expansion
Another advantage – with motion tracking features, you can make products more accessible and value-added. As a prime example, we designed assistive technology (a stairs detection module) to deliver greater autonomy for the visually impaired.
You too can deliver bigger value by catering to different customer segments.
Smart security
Last but not least – you can protect individuals, property, vehicles, and information by changing your strategy. To name an example, we built a driver monitoring system to identify fatigue signs and prevent road accidents.
Access control, identify verification, burglary and violence detection, crowd monitoring, and many other tools are there to explore.
How we can help
AI motion tracking technology is no longer just an enhancement – it’s changing the game redefining efficiency. The leaders showing adaptability can automate their workflows and unlock new opportunities across segments that range from entertainment to manufacturing.
Work with Abto Software to push your limits!
Our services:
- AI development
- RPA services
- .NET development
- ASP.NET development
- Web development
- Mobile development
- Cloud services
- Custom product software development
Our expertise:
- AI based pose detection
- AI based bike & helmet detection
- Fruit counting for automatic produce conveyors
- Product recognition for cashierless in-store checkout
- Face detection and recognition
- Blood recognition and analysis
- Fall detection and notification
- Vehicle detection and license plate recognition
FAQ
Let’s categorize the technology by captured spatial dimensions:
- 2D motion tracking software, which implies the analysis of movement by tracking X and Y coordinates
- 3D motion tracking software, which implies the capture of movement in three different dimensions providing depth and perspective
The categorization might also be based on accuracy, latency, scalability, and other relevant characteristics.
The benefits are multi-facetted:
- Optimized efficiency & workflows – the software can minimize manual workloads across operations and facilitate safety surveillance across domains
- Business insights – the software might provide valuable insights into performance and productivity
- Improved training & simulation – in the healthcare domain and other complex settings, the technology might provide actionable feedback for training and simulation
- Enhanced engagement & loyalty – immersive experiences are becoming the key to differentiation
The adoption of innovation can revolutionize business operations across industries.
– can process and track the object/subject during movement, which allows instant feedback and correction.
The approach can be efficiently applied across solutions:
- Face motion tracking software
- Hand motion tracking software, and many other tools
– can capture (and, combined with other advanced techniques, even analyze) body movement without requiring any equipment, including markers and sensors.
Learn about human motion tracking software from experts: