University of London commits to mocap research

The University of London’s Goldsmiths’ College has commited to a new motion-capture research project.

Under the leadership of Dr Marco Gillies, the project seeks to significantly improve the quality of mocap in interactive media.

The project will create a library of behavioural algorithms based on the performace of actors, which can then be built upon for individual games. Goldsmiths have said that this will make computer game characters’ body movements more realistic.

“In traditional computer games, characters are running, jumping and fighting, very physical actions, and you don’t have a lot of social interaction,” said Dr Gillies.

“Part of the problem is that a lot of body language and behaviour is subconscious so it’s quite hard to design an algorithm for it.”

Work on the project will begine next month.

“It’s a really interesting project because it’s combining computer science with drama and performing,” Dr Gillies said.

The research has been described as a key project, and is being funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Council.