MSc: Wearable Wireless Inertial Measurement Technologies for 3D Motion Capture in Professional Sports

In professional sports there are in general three steps required to improve performance
namely task definition, training and performance assessment. This process is iteratively
repeated and feedback generated from quantitative performance measurement is in turn
used for task redefinition. However non-subjective performance evaluation is difficult
due to the complexity of the movements involved. When considering the subset of sports
where precision accuracy and repeatability are a necessity this problem becomes
inherently more difficult to solve. Until recently these sports for example Tennis, Golf
and Darts, where the smallest deviation from a prescribed movement goal can result in
large outcome error, were deemed too difficult to characterise fully.

Recent advances in Wearable Inertial Sensor Technology have now made high
performance precise measurements a real possibility. In particular the rapid development
of micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) with high accuracy, high reliability and
multiple functionalities has provided a powerful tool set for body motion sensing.
Advanced calibration, characterisation and data processing techniques have also been
developed to enhance the accuracy and sensitivity of low-cost inertial sensors. Despite
these advances, little work has been done in terms of increasing the autonomy of these
systems. While these miniature inertial sensors are now capable of exposing a wide range
of functionalities to the user, suitable abstraction must be provided so as to take full
advantage of these useful features. This work will bring together key advances at the
device, data processing and system levels that enable wearable wireless inertial
measurement systems to adapt intelligently in response to their environments.

Further Information:

A detailed description of this position can be downloaded from here

Application forms must be completed and are available from:
http://www.tyndall.ie/careers/

For further information, please contact Brendan O Flynn at Tel: +353 21 4904579 or
email: brendan.oflynn@tyndall.ie or to Dr. Michael Walsh at Tel: +353 21 490 4440 or
email: michael.walsh@tyndall.ie