Introduces affordable, high-quality motion capture to robotics research at ICRA Hong Kong

(Kitchener, Ontario – May 1, 2014) Clearpath Robotics has partnered with Vicon, the motion capture technology specialists for the entertainment, defense, life sciences and engineering industries, to provide high-quality motion capture systems to robotics research customers worldwide. Clearpath Robotics will demonstrate the two companies’ technologies working together at the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Hong Kong, China, from May 31 to June 5.

“Optical tracking and robotics go hand in hand and we look forward to further expanding our presence in robotics research through this partnership with Clearpath Robotics,” said Warren Lester, engineering product manager, Vicon. “The quality and affordability of Vicon systems will reinforce Clearpath Robotics’ reputation for building unmanned vehicles that save time and money on future projects.”

Clearpath Robotics will offer a combined robotic and tracking solution using Vicon T-Series or Bonita motion capture cameras and Tracker object tracking software. Research organizations will be able to use the Vicon systems with Clearpath Robotics’ Husky all-terrain robot, TurtleBot mobile robot platform and JACO robot arm, to measure the efficacy and accuracy of the control systems they develop to guide them autonomously. The Vicon systems can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings to track the movement of robots with a precision that is not possible through other means. Such robots are developed for applications ranging from moving stock in a warehouse to searching abandoned buildings for bombs.

“Motion capture systems have become an integral part of robotics research,” said Matt Rendall, chief executive officer at Clearpath Robotics. “Vicon provides a reliable, cost-effective system with superior tracking capabilities, allowing our customers to use fewer cameras and gain higher quality results with millimeter-level precision.”

Vicon is now available at Clearpath Robotics. Visit clearpathrobotics.com/vicon for more details.

About Vicon

Academy Award®-winning Vicon is the world’s largest supplier of precision motion tracking systems and match-moving software. It serves customers in CG animation, film, visual effects, computer games, broadcast television, as well as engineering and life sciences industries.

Vicon is a subsidiary of OMG (Oxford Metrics Group – LSE: OMG), plc., a group of technology companies that produces image understanding solutions for the entertainment, defence, life sciences and engineering markets. Other holdings include: 2d3, a manufacturer of specialized image understanding software for defense applications; Yotta a provider of software and services for infrastructure asset management; and OMG Life, a new consumer subsidiary.

Among many others, Vicon and OMG global clients include:
• Entertainment: Audiomotion, The Imaginarium, Quantic Dream, SEGA, Konami, Activision, Sony, Dreamworks, ILM and USC
• Life Sciences: Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre – Oxford, Headley Court, University of Western Australia, Adidas, Digital Human Research Centre – Japan, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, Shriners, Marquette, UMich and Red Bull
• Engineering: European Space Agency, BMW, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – South Africa, ETH Zurich, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, NRL, UPENN GRASP, MIT, Ford and General Motors

For more information about OMG and its subsidiaries, visit: www.omgplc.com, www.vicon.com, www.vicon.com/boujou, www.moves.com www.2d3sensing.com, www.yotta.co.uk or www.autographer.com.

About Clearpath Robotics
Clearpath Robotics, a global leader in unmanned vehicle robotics for research and development, is dedicated to automating the world’s dullest, dirtiest, and deadliest jobs. The Company serves leading researchers in over 30 countries worldwide in academic, corporate and military environments. Recognizing the value of future innovation, Clearpath Robotics established Partnerbot, a grant program to support university robotics research teams, internationally. Clearpath Robotics provides robust solutions that are engineered for performance, designed for customization, and built for open source. Visit Clearpath Robotics at clearpathrobotics.com.

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Contact:

Meghan Hennessey x833
Marketing Communications
519-813-8416
press@clearpathrobotics.com
clearpathrobotics.com

Vicon:
Kim Willsher
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry
310 569 2603
kimw@rlyl.com