What is Qualisys Underwater Motion Capture?

Qualisys offers two purpose-built underwater optical motion capture cameras — the ArqusU and MiqusU — that bring the precision of laboratory-grade 3D tracking to aquatic environments. Both cameras are pressure tested to 40 meters depth and engineered for neutral buoyancy, enabling deployment from shallow laboratory tanks to open-water research settings.

Used in swimming biomechanics, naval research, aquaculture, and ocean sports science, these systems capture the full 6-degree-of-freedom motion of people, vessels, animals, and objects underwater — with the same QTM software pipeline used in any Qualisys lab.

Key Features

• ArqusU — High-Resolution, Long-Range: The ArqusU carries 24 high-intensity strobes and delivers precise 3D measurements over extended underwater distances, ideal for large swimming pools and open-water vessel tracking.
• MiqusU — Compact and Versatile: The MiqusU provides an accessible entry point for underwater mocap with excellent performance across a wide range of depth and range requirements.
• Pressure Tested to 40m: Both cameras are rigorously pressure tested to 40 meters, providing confidence for demanding research and industrial environments.
• Neutral Buoyancy Design: Camera weight and volume are precisely balanced to achieve neutral buoyancy, making positioning and repositioning straightforward in water.
• Full QTM Integration: Captures data directly into Qualisys Track Manager (QTM), with full access to skeleton solving, trajectory editing, and third-party software export.

FAQ

• How deep can the Qualisys underwater cameras operate? Both the ArqusU and MiqusU are pressure tested to 40 meters depth, covering the full range of research and industrial applications from laboratory tanks to open-water deployments.
• What is the difference between ArqusU and MiqusU? The ArqusU is the premium system with higher resolution and longer range (24 high-intensity strobes), ideal for large pools and demanding vessel tracking. The MiqusU is more compact and versatile for a broad range of applications.
• Do the cameras need special software? No — both cameras work with standard Qualisys Track Manager (QTM), the same environment used in all other Qualisys labs.
• What are the typical applications for underwater motion capture? Key applications include swimming biomechanics, aquatic sports science, naval vessel motion analysis, marine animal tracking, and underwater robotics.