Considerations for aggregation of motion-captured files in structured databases for DHM applications

Paper in proceeding, 2013

One way of enhancing motion simulation in digital human modeling (DHM) tools is to use data-driven methods which are based on real motion data. In spite of the availability of motion captured datasets which are offered for different purposes by commercial and research institutes, aggregation and integration of these motions in a unified and structured database system is not straight forward. Lack of this integration, limits the availability of existing data and causes DHM tools not to be able to use the data efficiently. Also for the researchers, comparison and analysis of data get very hard if not impossible. When searching for a specific motion pattern, it is optimal if the stored data in the database can be directly compared, analyzed and then retrieved if necessary. This study highlights several sources of incompatibility among motion capture files which shall be considered when implementing a comprehensive data management system for manipulating motion captured data. Subsequently, these incompatibilities are analyzed in more detail and necessary considerations and possible solutions are proposed in order to overcome the integration obstacles.