In 2022, the FrostBit software lab at Lapland University of Applied Sciences visited the new Sports Lab premises and was able to test the motion recognition of VICON mocap cameras. At that time, XR Lab was also being developed for the University of Lapland, where the OptiTrack mocap camera system was coming.
Mocap technologies gradually began to find their way into the environments of Rovaniemi education centers. FrostBit already noticed at that time that the technologies pose their own challenges for users who do not necessarily have the technical expertise. At the same time, these technologies have enormous potential for a variety of different use cases. This sparked a new field-crossing project idea.
A couple of years later, we have launched the MOCAPPE project, where we can implement regional innovation development with mocap technologies. We are developing three environments in the project: the Sports Lab and Testing & Training testing environment located at Santasport, as well as the XR Lab located at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lapland.
The environments not only include mocap technology, but also a wide range of VR/XR technology and sensor technology used for sports analysis. In our development work, we focus on the themes of sports and well-being, which we can implement with the service design expertise of the Faculty of Arts, the technology expertise of FrostBit, and the sports and coaching expertise of the Physical Education Department of LapUAS, as well as the Sports Institute. So, over the next couple of years, new and exciting developments are expected between these different fields.