HumanTrak is engineered to give you precise output, but like all technology, it works best under certain conditions. While the system can handle a certain degree of variability, understanding the influencing factors will help you keep results consistent and quickly troubleshoot issues if they arise.
Clothing and body visibility
The camera tracks the subject’s shape using infrared light. Anything that obscures parts of the body or makes it difficult to accurately identify the outline can interfere with tracking.
Look out for:
- Loose or baggy clothing.
- Fabrics that are overly dark or shiny/reflective.
- Long hair covering the shoulders or neck.
What to do:
- Have the individual wear fitted activewear where possible.
- Suggest clothing in plain fabrics and lighter colors.
- Ensure long hair is pulled back or tied up.
Environment
The HumanTrak system doesn't need an elaborate laboratory setup, but certain environmental factors like lighting and temperature can still affect its performance.
Look out for:
- Direct sunlight or very bright overhead lights, causing excessive shadows.
- Reflective surfaces like mirrors or glossy floors.
- Overly hot or cold testing space.
What to do:
- Aim for diffused natural lighting.
- Avoid situating the camera in front of windows or mirrors.
- Use the system indoors with a room temperature of 10–25°C or 50–77°F.
Camera placement and spacing
The HumanTrak camera uses a wide-angle lens, but if the subject is cut off from view or the camera is positioned incorrectly, body tracking may be lost or degraded.
Look out for:
- Items blocking the camera, or cutting off the individual's feet/top of their head.
- Cluttered foreground or background.
- Accidentally moving, rotating or tilting the camera during the session.
What to do:
- Position the camera at a height of about 1 meter.
- Keep the space in front of and behind the test area clear – a plain wall works best.
- Confirm that the camera is not tilted.
Calibration best practices
If your session contains one or more lower-limb tests, HumanTrak must go through a short calibration phase. Because the system is looking to capture the baseline standing position and posture of the individual, it is important that the calibration is carried out correctly.
Look out for:
- Fidgeting, talking or gesturing during the calibration phase.
- Pressing 'Start' while the individual is not yet in position.
- Individual moving or stepping out of the position circle before the test.
What to do:
- Remind the user to stand still and face forward during the calibration phase.
- Ensure the individual is in position before pressing 'Start'.
- Restart the test and redo calibration if results appear inaccurate.
Troubleshooting tips
If something doesn’t look right, e.g. angles are jumping around, joint positions seem off, or the reps aren’t detecting, here’s what to try first:
- Make sure the user is fully in view and nothing is blocking them.
- Switch out dark or baggy clothes, close blinds, or reposition lights.
- Confirm the user is performing the movement as expected.
- Sometimes, simply starting fresh clears minor issues.
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