Written byMOVIN Team
Short answer: LiDAR motion capture records full-body 3D human movement using a laser depth sensor instead of markers or wearable motion capture suits and devices. The sensor measures distance from the time laser light takes to return (time-of-flight), and AI turns the resulting 3D point cloud into a moving skeleton. MOVIN TRACIN does this with a single LiDAR sensor, outputting motion at 60 FPS with about 100 ms of system latency.
How does LiDAR motion capture work?
- Measure depth. The LiDAR sensor emits laser light and times how long it takes to come back, building a 3D point cloud of the person in front of it.
- Infer the skeleton. MOVIN TRACIN combines LiDAR sensing, camera vision data with the on-device AI to track 24 body joints and 30 hand points. The camera adds fine detail that LiDAR sensing alone cannot detect, such as wrist rotation and finger gestures.
- Calibrate once. In MOVIN Studio, the software that operates the sensor, each performer goes through a one-time initial calibration by holding an A-pose for three seconds. After that, tracking starts automatically whenever they step into the capture zone.
- Stream or record. MOVIN Studio exports FBX and BVH files and streams motion live. The Basic License included with MOVIN TRACIN allows up to 30 minutes of motion capture per month and unlimited live streaming to virtual platforms such as Warudo and VRChat; hand capture and live streaming to 3D engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine come with the Unlimited License or the Perpetual Package.
MOVIN’s motion capture technology fusing LiDAR and camera with AI is backed by multiple publications. MOVIN (Pacific Graphics 2023) showed real-time motion capture from a single LiDAR sensor, and ELMO (SIGGRAPH Asia 2024) turns a 20 fps LiDAR point cloud sequence into 60 fps full-body motion.
LiDAR vs. optical vs. inertial motion capture
Motion capture systems differ in what the performer wears and what is set up around them. In general terms:
MOVIN TRACIN sets up in minutes and delivers 93% accuracy, benchmarked against optical marker-based capture at 100%.
What are the numbers?
MOVIN TRACIN’s specifications as of October 2026 — learn more at the MOVIN TRACIN product page:
What is it used for, and what are the limits?
MOVIN TRACIN has various real-world applications including but not limited to: cinematography, games, VFX, animation, virtual streaming, live shows and exhibitions, robotics, and sports and rehabilitation. MOVIN TRACIN for Stage tracks multiple performers simultaneously. For robot teleoperation with MOVIN TRACIN and humanoid training-data capture with MOVIN TRACIN and R1, see TRACIN for Robotics.
MOVIN TRACIN does have its limits. Currently, MOVIN TRACIN needs the whole body in view to track the movement, and the device must stay fixed during use. It does not capture facial expressions, and in low-light mode hand capture is unavailable. These limits are as of October 22, 2026: MOVIN TRACIN keeps improving through software updates, so the MOVIN TRACIN page has the latest.
FAQ
Do you need markers or a suit for LiDAR motion capture?
No. MOVIN TRACIN captures full-body motion without markers or a motion capture suit. Each performer is calibrated once with an A-pose held for three seconds.
Is LiDAR motion capture real-time?
Yes. MOVIN TRACIN outputs 60 FPS with about 100 ms of system latency, and MOVIN Studio streams the motion live.
Can MOVIN TRACIN capture motion outdoors or in low light?
Yes. With low-light mode enabled, MOVIN TRACIN captures full-body motion outdoors and in low light. Hand motion capture is unavailable in this mode.
Is the laser eye-safe?
Yes. The LiDAR in MOVIN TRACIN is certified Class 1 eye-safe under IEC 60825-1.
See the full specifications on the MOVIN TRACIN page, or ask us about your setup.
