A marker registration method to improve joint angles computed by constrained inverse kinematics

Journal Article (2021)
Authors

James Dunne (University of Western Australia, Stanford University)

Thomas K. Uchida (University of Ottawa)

Thor F. Besier (The University of Auckland)

Scott L. Delp (Stanford University)

A. Seth (TU Delft - Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control)

Research Group
Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control
Copyright
© 2021 James J. Dunne, Thomas K. Uchida, Thor F. Besier, Scott L. Delp, A. Seth
To reference this document use:
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252425
More Info
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Publication Year
2021
Language
English
Copyright
© 2021 James J. Dunne, Thomas K. Uchida, Thor F. Besier, Scott L. Delp, A. Seth
Research Group
Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control
Issue number
5
Volume number
16
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252425
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Abstract

Accurate computation of joint angles from optical marker data using inverse kinematics methods requires that the locations of markers on a model match the locations of experimental markers on participants. Marker registration is the process of positioning the model markers so that they match the locations of the experimental markers. Markers are typically registered using a graphical user interface (GUI), but this method is subjective and may introduce errors and uncertainty to the calculated joint angles and moments. In this investigation, we use OpenSim to isolate and quantify marker registration–based error from other sources of error by analyzing the gait of a bipedal humanoid robot for which segment geometry, mass properties, and joint angles are known. We then propose a marker registration method that is informed by the orientation of anatomical reference frames derived from surface-mounted optical markers as an alternative to user registration using a GUI. The proposed orientation registration method reduced the average root-mean-square error in both joint angles and joint moments by 67% compared to the user registration method, and eliminated variability among users. Our results show that a systematic method for marker registration that reduces subjective user input can make marker registration more accurate and repeatable.