Xsens
{{Multiple issues|
{{Primary sources|date=July 2024}}
{{Promotional|date=March 2020}}
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{{Infobox company
|name = Xsens (Xsens Technologies B.V.)
|logo = Xsens Logo Coral Blue FC.svg
|logo_size = 150px
|caption =
|type =
|foundation = 2000
|founders = Casper Peeters, Per Slycke
|location_city = Enschede
|location_country = Netherlands
|num_locations = 6
|key_people = Eric Salzman (CEO), Steve Smith (CFO)
|num_employees = 200
|industry = motion capture, IMU, AHRS, INS
|products = MTi, MTw Awinda, MVN Animate, MVN Analyze, Xsens DOT
|revenue =
|operating profit =
|homepage = [https://www.movella.com/products/xsens www.movella.com]
}}
Xsens Technologies B.V. (or Xsens) is a supplier of 3D motion capture products and inertial sensors based upon miniature MEMS inertial sensor technology.
The company has created intellectual property in the field of multi-sensor data fusion algorithms, combining inertial sensors with aiding technologies such as GPS, Motion capture and biomechanical modeling. Xsens is the product brand for their motion capture and inertial sensor products. Xsens is a brand of Movella, a company formed by combining mCube, Xsens, and Kinduct.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-27 |title=mCube Rebrands as Movella {{!}} Movella {{!}} Bringing Meaning To Movement |url=https://www.movella.com/company/press-room/mcube-rebrands-as-movella |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.movella.com |language=en}} Movella digitizes movement from humans and machines.
Xsens has offices in Enschede (headquarter, Netherlands), Los Angeles, Bangalore, Shanghai, and Halifax.
Known Interns
The IT department of Enschede mainly handles the IT management world-wide. The interns are able to wear the Xsens suits for testing from time to time. This is the list of interns that have been present at Xsens/Movella.
- Ryan Boom 2020-2025
- Ronald van der Klugt 2025-2025
- Bart Balstra 2024-2025
History
The company was founded in 2000 by Casper Peeters and Per Slycke, both University of Twente graduates. Following work in measurement of the performance of athletes, they specialized in sensor technologies and sensor fusion algorithms. The company developed Inertial measurement units or AHRS (MTi-series and MTx) and human movement measurement systems (a completely wireless system MTw Awinda, the successor of the Xbus Kit).
In 2007 Xsens introduced an inertial motion capture system called "Moven" (renamed to Xsens MVN{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2009-08-05 |title=Xsens Technologies captures every human motion with body suit |url=https://venturebeat.com/business/xsens-technologies-captures-every-human-motion-with-body-suit/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}} in 2009).
In 2008, Xsens acquired Utellus, a spin-off from telecom company Ericsson's EuroLab, specializing in applications of ultra wide band RF technology.{{Cite web |date=2008-08-06 |title=Xsens Acquires UWB Technology Company Utellus |url=https://www.rfglobalnet.com/doc/xsens-acquires-uwb-technology-company-utellus-0001 |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.rfglobalnet.com}}
In 2009 Xsens introduced the MVN BIOMECH system, a motion capture system for 3D human kinematics used in fields such as ergonomics, sports science and rehabilitation.
In 2014 Xsens was acquired by Fairchild Semiconductor,{{Cite news|url=https://www.xsens.com/press-releases/xsens-acquisition-fairchild-semiconductor-marks-important-step-motion-tracking-success-story/|title=Xsens acquisition by Fairchild Semiconductor marks important step for motion tracking success story - Xsens 3D motion tracking|newspaper=Xsens 3D motion tracking|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-24}} and became part of ON Semiconductor in 2016.
In 2015 Xsens introduced a new inertial sensor module by the name of the MTi 1-series[https://www.xsens.com/press-releases/xsens-delivers-full-featured-miniature-motion-tracking-module-at-low-cost/ MTi 1-series introduction by Xsens] and in 2019, the latest series of inertial sensor modules was introduced, called the MTi 600-series.{{Cite web |title=Miniature New Industrial-grade Inertial Sensor Units from Xsens Outgu Competition on Both Price and Performance |url=https://www.xsens.com/press-releases/miniature-new-industrial-grade-inertial-sensor-units-from-xsens-outgun-competition-on-both-price-and-performance |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.movella.com |language=en}}
In 2017 both Xsens MVN and MVN BIOMECH were renamed to Xsens MVN Animate and Xsens MVN Analyze. In Nov 2017, mCube acquired Xsens from ON Semiconductor.{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Peter |date=2017-11-20 |title=mCube buys Xsens for system-level expertise |url=http://www.eenewseurope.com/news/mcube-buys-xsens-system-level-expertise-0 |access-date=2018-03-24 |newspaper=eeNews Europe |language=en-US}}
In January 2020 Xsens launched Xsens DOT{{cite web |date=2020-01-07 |title=Xsens introduces Xsens DOT, a new wearable sensor development platform |url=https://www.xsens.com/news/xsens-introduces-xsens-dot-a-new-wearable-sensor-development-platform |website=www.movella.com}} development platform for the analysis and reporting of human kinematics.
In September 2021 mCube announced it is rebranding as Movella. Movella products serve four primary markets: entertainment, sports, health, and industrial. The new brand encapsulates the value and technologies from mCube, Xsens, and Kinduct.{{Cite news|url=https://www.i-micronews.com/xsens-and-kinduct-parent-company-mcube-rebrands-as-movella/|title=Xsens and Kinduct parent company mCube rebrands as Movella|newspaper=i-MicroNews|language=en-US|access-date=2021-09-29}}
In March 2023 Movella went public {{cite web |title=Movella to Ring Nasdaq Stock Market Opening Bell |url=https://investors.movella.com/news-releases/news-release-details/movella-ring-nasdaq-stock-market-opening-bell-thursday-march-2 |website=investors.movella.com}} on NASDAQ and in April 2023 Movella voluntarily delisted from NASDAQ and listed on OTC Pink Market.{{cite web |date=2024-04-09 |title=Movella Announces Listing on OTC Pink Market |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/movella-announces-listing-otc-pink-212300813.html |website=Yahoo Finance}}
In December 2024 Xsens launched the Xsens Sirius {{cite web |date=2025-03-11 |title=Xsens introduces Xsens Sirius |url=https://www.movella.com/products/sensor-modules/xsens-sirius-series |website=www.movella.com}}
Products
Xsens product range from inertial sensors to inertial Motion Capture.
- Xsens MTi series{{Cite web|last=Xsens|title=Xsens MTi-series|url=https://www.movella.com/products/sensor-modules/xsens-mti-product-selector|access-date=2025-03-11|website=www.movella.com|language=en}}
- Xsens Sirius series{{Cite web|last=Xsens|title=Xsens Sirius|url=https://www.movella.com/products/sensor-modules/xsens-mti-product-selector|access-date=2025-03-11|website=www.movella.com|language=en}}
- MTw Awinda{{Cite web |title=MTw Awinda|url=https://www.movella.com/products/wearables/xsens-mtw-awinda|access-date=2025-03-11 |website=www.movella.com |language=en}}
- Xsens MVN Analyze{{Cite web|last=Xsens|title=MVN Analyze|url=https://www.movella.com/products/motion-capture/xsens-mvn-analyze|access-date=2025-03-11|website=www.movella.com|language=en}}
- Xsens MVN Animate{{Cite web|last=Xsens|title=MVN Animate|url=https://www.movella.com/products/motion-capture/xsens-mvn-animate|access-date=2025-03-11|website=www.movella.com|language=en}}
- Movella DOT{{Cite web|last=Xsens|title=Movella DOT|url=https://www.movella.com/products/wearables/movella-dot|access-date=2025-03-11|website=www.movella.com|language=en}}
Software
Xsens develops proprietary software for their own inertial sensors and motion capture products.
- MT Software Suite[https://www.movella.com/support/software-documentation/ MT Software Suite] for all MTi and Sirius sensors
- MT Software Suite[https://www.movella.com/support/software-documentation/ MT Software Suite] for MTw Awinda
- Xsens Animate[https://www.movella.com/support/software-documentation Xsens Animate] motion capture software for Entertainment
- Xsens Analyze[https://www.movella.com/support/software-documentation Xsens Analyze] motion capture software for Health & Sports
Inertial sensor applications
Typically Xsens inertial sensor technology is used for orientation, attitude- and positioning data. The technology is integrated by:
- Fleet operators
- Robotics integrators
- Digital mapping companies (surveying, mapping)
- Drone developers
- Vehicle-testing
- Autonomous Vehicles
- Warehouse & Logistics (AGV/AMR)
- Maritime/offshore (ROVs/AUVs/USVs/floating platforms)
- Aerospace
- Heavy-Industry (harbor/construction/mining)
- Agriculture (UGVs/robots)
- Last Mile Delivery (LMD)
Projects
Xsens participates in research projects[https://www.xsens.com/technology/collaboration/ Xsens collaboration projects] like AnDy,{{Cite web |title=Andy Project - Home |url=https://andy-project.eu/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=andy-project.eu}} a project funded by the European Union within the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme endowing robots with the ability to control physical collaboration through intentional interaction.
Xsens also participates in AWESCO,[http://www.awesco.eu/ AWESCO (Airborne Wind Energy System Modelling, Control and Optimization)] a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Initial Training Network funded by the European Union within the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme and by the Swiss federal government. The project aims to address the key challenges of airborne wind energy technologies with the aim of supporting the commercialization in Europe.
Since 2014, Xsens is a full partner of KNEEMO Initial Training Network (ITN) [http://www.kneemo.eu/ KNEEMO Initial Training Network Website] for knee osteoarthritis research funded through the European Commission’s Framework 7 Programme. As an industrial partner, its role is to develop methods to estimate knee joint loading using inertial motion capture.
Other projects are MC Impulse,[http://mcimpulse.isy.liu.se/?page=home MC Impulse] focusing on sensor data processing and MILEPOST, on indoor navigation.
Productions
Xsens products are widely known for use in film, game, live entertainment and advertising. Known productions that were created with the help of Xsens products are:
- Finch {{cite web |last=Failes |first=Ian |date=2021-11-10 |title=So…you need a humanoid robot in your film? What are your options? |url=https://beforesandafters.com/2021/11/10/so-you-need-a-humanoid-robot-in-your-film-what-are-your-options/ |website=beforesandafters.com}}
- Baldur's Gate 3 {{cite web |date=2023-08-30 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 - Motion Capture, Writers & Voice Over Behind the Scenes |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyX1OT7RIxM |website=YouTube |publisher=Dan Allen Gaming}}
- The Umbrella Academy {{cite web | url=https://www.netflix.com/nl-en/title/80186863 | title=Watch the Umbrella Academy | Netflix Official Site | website=Netflix }}
- The Mandalorian {{cite web |date=2020-06-10 |title=The Mandalorian's CG universe |url=https://www.xsens.com/blog/the-mandalorians-cg-universe |website=www.xsens.com}}
- Stranger Things 3 {{cite web | url=https://www.netflix.com/nl-en/title/80057281 | title=Watch Stranger Things | Netflix Official Site | website=Netflix }}
- WestWorld season 3 {{cite web |last=Failes |first=Ian |date=16 June 2020 |title=A tale of 3 robots |url=https://beforesandafters.com/2020/06/16/a-tale-of-3-robots/ |website=beforesandafters.com}}
- Avengers: Infinity War {{Cite web |last=Frei |first=Vincent |date=11 May 2018 |title=AVENGERS - INFINITY WAR: Graham Page - VFX Supervisor - DNEG - The Art of VFXThe Art of VFX |url=http://www.artofvfx.com/avengers-infinity-war-graham-page-vfx-supervisor-dneg/ |access-date=2018-05-14 |website=www.artofvfx.com |language=en-US}}
- Black Panther {{Cite news |date=2018-02-14 |title=Marvel's Black Panther pounces on to the big screen with Xsens - News - Xsens 3D motion tracking |url=https://www.xsens.com/news/marvels-black-panther-pounces-big-screen-xsens/ |access-date=2018-05-14 |work=Xsens 3D motion tracking |language=en-US}}
- Thor: Ragnarok {{Cite news|url=https://vfxblog.com/2017/11/10/thor-ragnaroks-sakaar-chase-scene-was-also-a-courtship-dance/|title='Thor: Ragnarok's' Sakaar chase scene was also a courtship dance|date=2017-11-10|work=vfxblog|access-date=2018-05-14|language=en-US}}
- Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice {{Cite web |title=Batman vs. Superman |url=https://www.movella.com/resources/news/batman-vs-superman |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.movella.com |language=en}}
- Ant-Man {{Cite web |title=Small Size, Big Hero {{!}} Computer Graphics World |url=https://www.cgw.com/Press-Center/In-Focus/2015/Small-Size-Big-Hero.aspx |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.cgw.com}}
- FIFA 16 {{Cite web |date=2015-07-28 |title=Messi in Xsens motion capture suit for FIFA 16 |url=https://www.movella.com/resources/news/messi-in-xsens-motion-capture-suit-for-fifa-16 |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.movella.com |language=en}}
- Love Has No Labels {{Cite web |date=2015-09-09 |title=Love Has No Labels |url=https://www.movella.com/resources/cases/love-has-no-labels |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.movella.com |language=en}}
- Ted 1 and 2 {{Cite web |date=2015-06-30 |title=Xsens' MVN Helps Push Ted 2 VFX to New Heights |url=https://www.xsens.com/news/xsens-mvn-helps-push-ted-2-vfx-to-new-heights |access-date=2020-07-23 |website=www.xsens.com |language=en}}
- Just Cause 3 {{Cite web |date=2015-06-08 |title=Develop Issue 161 June 2015 |url=https://issuu.com/newbayeurope/docs/dev161_web/29 |access-date=2020-07-23 |website=Issuu |language=en}}
- Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile{{Cite web |last=reallusionblog |date=2023-06-30 |title=Lyle, Lyle Crocodile's Real-time VFX brings life to the dancing and singing crocodile. |url=https://magazine.reallusion.com/2023/06/30/lyle-lyle-crocodiles-real-time-vfx-brings-life-to-the-dancing-and-singing-crocodile/ |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=Reallusion Magazine |language=en-US}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Software companies of the Netherlands}}
Category:Electronics companies of the Netherlands