dock10, one of the biggest television facilities at the UK, has recently developed a technology solution that is able to render Augmented Reality characters in real-time in both traditional and virtual sets.

The solution includes the combination of full-body motion-capture and facial-capture software and the real-time rendering of AR characters into virtual sets.

The first client to use this new technology is BBC Education with their AR robot character CLOGS for BBC Bitesize Daily. At the show, the augmented reality robot presenter is brought to life using this dock10 solution and he encourages children to gain curriculum knowledge.

This is how it works: the performer’s motion capture suit is tethered to a computer running specialist tracking software. The cabling management system allows freedom of movement including running and jumping, while monitors provide eyelines along with autocue and programme return feeds. The performer can be based in a separate space or within the studio where they can interact with other presenters and other AR characters. These technical elements are synchronised to cleanly deliver the AR character into traditional or virtual sets.

Richard Wormwell, Head of Production Innovation at dock10, said: “Motion-capture technology is the best way to deliver really dynamic movement with AR characters in real-time. The performance artist not only wears a specialist full-body motion-capture suit but also a purpose-designed head rig that allows the deployment of facial-capture technology; the performers facial expressions are captured to give the AR character even more personality, from simple smiles and frowns to more complex eye and eyebrow movements.” Wormwell continued: “Traditionally, motion capture has been a time-consuming process with lots of clean-up work required in post. Our solution combines real-time full body rendering of characters for an ‘as live’ output. This is something that was simply not possible before.”