Intro to Vectors Physics and Augmented Reality
The ARK tool dynamically tracks and displays a wide range of human motion.Copyright 2017 Jackson Reimers, Vanderbilt REHSS, Vanderbilt University
Students learn about video motion capture technology, becoming familiar with concepts such as vector components, magnitudes and directions, position, velocity, and acceleration. They use a (free) classroom data collection and processing tool—the ARK Mirror—to visualize and record 3-D motion. The Augmented Reality Kinematics (ARK) Mirror software collects data via a motion detector. Using an Orbbec Astra Pro 3D camera or Microsoft Kinect (see note below), students can visualize and record a robust set of data and interpret them using statistical and graphical methods. This lesson introduces students to just one possible application of the ARK Mirror software—in the context of a high school physics class. Note: The ARK Mirror is ported to operate on an Orbbec platform. It may also be used with a Microsoft Kinect, although that Microsoft hardware has been discontinued. Refer to the Using ARK Mirror and Microsoft Kinect attachment for how to use the ARK MIrror software with Microsoft Kinect.
Like engineers, students apply the concepts of statistical and graphical data interpretation to make sense of a large amount of sensor data. For example, computer scientists and informatics engineers use these concepts to create intelligent computer programs that interpret medical images and optimize medical processes. By using the ARK Mirror to record and interpret motion data, students can apply these concepts to a range of research fields, such as performance optimization in sports kinesiology.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Define vector, position, velocity, and acceleration.
- Explain how velocity vectors can help us understand common body motions such as jumping, walking or throwing.
- Describe a potential application of the ARK Mirror outside of the classroom.