DARI Motion buys Max Planck spin-off The Captury

Motion capture procedures allow you to capture and record movements. The recorded data can be played back, analyzed, and processed by computers. The technique is often used in movies to bring animated characters to life. In sports and medicine, this form of movement analysis is often used to analyze and optimize or treat movement sequences. Conventional motion capture techniques work with trackers distributed across the body that reflect optical signals. For this purpose, skin-tight suits covered with markers must be worn usually. This is disruptive for actors, athletes and patients and can distort natural movements. In addition, special cameras must be used that can emit and receive optical signals. Scientists around Dr. Nils Hasler from the Graphics, Vision and Video research group at MPI for Informatics headed by Prof. Christian Theobalt have therefore developed a method that does not require markers and captures the movements very quickly and realistically. This makes it possible to record movements of people in normal clothing with normal cameras. The movements are analyzed in the computer by a special software and transferred as a motion skeleton to a virtual figure. The spin-off The Captury, which was founded in 2013 in Saarbrücken, has developed the technology to market maturity and marketed. The numerous customers in the entertainment sector include companies such as Fox, Disney, Scanline or the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. Customers in the medical field are various universities worldwide.

Now The Captury has been purchased by the US company DARI Motion. DARI develops and markets systems for motion analysis in the field of sports and medicine. With DARI Sports, athletes can improve their movements in various areas such as running or throwing. DARI Health enables health institutions and physicians to analyze the movements of their patients in cases of bone and joint diseases or after surgery and to initiate appropriate treatment measures. The technology of DARI products is based on the motion capture process of The Captury, in particular the "Captury Live" technology. It allows the recording of real-time movements with 6 to 24 cameras and up to three people simultaneously. Special hardware is not required. With the purchase, DARI secures the technology base for its products, which the company markets in the USA. In addition, the company is expanding its product portfolio, especially in the entertainment sector, thus reaching new industries and expanding its customer base. For this purpose, The Captury will remain as an independent company in Saarbrücken with its well-known products and will continue to offer innovative tracking solutions for its customers in the future. The Max Planck Society received 18 percent of the sales price due to its shares. By purchasing the Captury DARI Motion Inc. is now exclusive licensee of the Max Planck technology, whose patents remain with the Max Planck Society.

Max Planck Innovation, the technology transfer organization of the Max Planck Society, has supported the patenting of the technologies as well as the foundation and sale of The Captury.