The new Xsens Link is re-engineered for production teams and animators with better sensors, a new suit and a more efficient workflow capturing accurate, consistent motion data.
The Xsens Link inertial motion capture system is now released as a major redesign of the original package, built for professionals working in animation, games, virtual production and VFX. The new Xsens Link now features better sensors and an upgraded 4D performance eSuit, to allow a smooth, practical mocap workflow without affecting the level of quality.
Xsens has become a standard in inertial motion capture. In contrast to optical capture that relies on cameras to record motion data visually, inertial mocap works through sensors placed on different parts of the performer’s body. These sensors are equipped with accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers that measure orientation, acceleration and magnetic field interaction over time. Xsens or third party software then processes this data and reconstructs the movement in 3D space.
Efficiency, Comfort and Precise Data
The latest system is rebuilt to adapt to new demands from contemporary producers, where efficiency, comfort and data precision have gained importance. Now with 17 sensors, the Xsens Link upgrade reduces setup time by 50% compared to the previous model, owing to the new embedded cabling and sensors that that attach directly to the connectors built into the suit in one click. The connectors withstand frequent setup and teardown, and use a secure one-click mechanism that maintains alignment.
Dennis Kloppenburg, Product Manager at Xsens commented, “We’ve started with what our customers like about the product and refined it for complex, versatile production environments – from studios to mountainsides. Whether you’re capturing a single actor or running a multi-performer shoot, it delivers detailed motion capture data without lengthy preparation.”
Performance Capture without Barriers
All aspects of the new Link product has been engineered for faster setup, smoother performance and greater reliability on set. The reworked eSuit is made of lightweight, breathable Lycra fabric and integrated, washable cables, enabling actors to move comfortably while keeping sensor alignment consistent across takes.
With the hot-swappable batteries, shoots can run uninterrupted and meanwhile robust Wi-Fi 6E connectivity supports stable, real-time streaming to Xsens Animate and to Unreal Engine, Blender and other third-party tools.
The hub system, the eSuit’s central processing and communication unit, can now be placed anywhere on the suit where it will be comfortable and practical. The hub is built on a hardware platform designed to support Xsens’ upcoming features and accessories as the system evolves.
“Our goal was to remove barriers between performance and capture,” Dennis said. “The new Link system gives production teams the ability to shoot anywhere, from at home to on a volume stage, delivering AAA quality data in any environment.”
Strategic Sensor Placement
Placing sensors strategically is very important, both to record the most relevant data and to prevent the sensors from moving too much. Allowing them to be displaced during the shoot may result in incorrect data.
The Xsens Link capture suit guides users to place the sensors in the right spots, and the tight Lycra fabric holds them firmly in place, capturing cleaner motion data with fewer artifacts and preserving accuracy in post throughout complex movements.
The updated hardware works together with Xsens Animate software, creating a continuous pipeline from live capture to post-production. Together, they deliver a comprehensive system that translates actor performance into motion capture data and allows artists to focus on storytelling instead of managing technical details.
“The entertainment industry runs on tight deadlines, making it more important to have accurate data from the start,” said Eric Salzman, CEO of Movella. “With the new Link, we’re giving creators the speed, precision and reliability they need to push visual storytelling further.”
As virtual production and hybrid workflows reshape how teams capture performance, Xsens Link has been designed to fit seamlessly into these new environments. Its emphasis on comfort, consistency, and robust data capture supports the fast-paced, adaptive nature of modern content creation. www.movella.com
