Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

Bow Valley College (BVC) seeks support through the NSERC ARTI grant to acquire motion capture technology, which is used to record movements and apply them to a 3D model. Research shows that motion capture can bridge the gap between creative expression and scientific analysis, by recording and digitizing human movements and enabling lifelike animations and simulations in fields like gaming and filmmaking, and more recently, by involving and advancing sports science. Motion capture technology will be integrated into research projects with our industry and community partners in our newly launched Calgary Entertainment Arts Production Hub. Students enrolled programs within BVC’s Centre for Entertainment Arts and the School of Technology will be trained on this leading-edge equipment and will be actively engaged in industry priority innovation projects. Acquisition of the motion capture technology will enhance BVC’s applied research capacity in three main areas. First, we aim to explore the use of motion capture to create lifelike simulations of natural environments, enhancing the realism of digital twins. This will benefit both educational settings and the entertainment industry, where accurate visual storytelling is crucial. Second, we plan to explore how digital environments enhanced by motion capture, impact user immersion and interaction. This research is crucial for designing more engaging and interactive digital content. Last, we will explore motion capture in sports science, capturing athletes' movements to provide insights into human biomechanics. This can benefit athletic training, sports performance, and even creative fields where realistic portrayals of athletes are needed. Integrating motion capture technology at BVC will support the development of our students' marketable skills in areas of high demand by companies in the creative industries, such as game development, 3D animation, and filmmaking. Research initiatives will engage students in the conceptual aspects of their learning and empower them to apply their knowledge in hands-on activities and designs, thus bridging the gap between theory and practice. They will also foster collaborations with industry and community partners, offering innovative solutions across multiple sectors. This equipment acquisition will serve as a significant step in our commitment to establishing a cutting edge research and training environment, poised to contribute to the growth of Canada's creative industries.