Categories

General Information asked about the APAS System

----- Original Message -----

From: Brice Crawford

To: ariel1@ix.netcom.com

Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 8:32 AM

could you send me a brochure and a price list

thank you,

Laura Crawford

1205 N Ave A

Portales NM 88130

 

----- Original Message -----

From: imran sharif

To: ariel1@ix.netcom.com

Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2001 4:16 PM

Subject: GAIT ANALYSIS SYSTEM

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am currenly writting a reseach paper on the gait analysis systems available on the market and will be greatful if you could send literature/ information/ researh material of the the two types of systems offered by you.(APAS,ACES)  

thanks,

Kind regards,

Mr Imran Sharif

Consutant orthopaedic surgeon.

11, BREWS HILL, NAVAN. Co.MEATH. IRELAND.

Fax no. 00-353-46-74936

 

Hello Dr. Andreas Bruessel

Thank you for your interest in the Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS).
The APAS is a 3D video-based movement analysis system which accurately
quantifies function and provides objective data the professional may use to
justify or evaluate treatment.  Areas of successful application for the APAS
include human performance, injury and rehabilitation assessment,
quantification of loss for compensation claims, equipment and product
testing and development, determination of potential or actual risks for
products and activities in liability litigation, as well as applied research
in the areas of orthopedic medicine, therapeutics, and physical training.

The APAS integrates state-of-the-art computer and video processing hardware
with specialized software modules that perform data collection, analysis,
and presentation.  Objective quantifiable documentation is provided for both
2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional analysis.  Specific points of interest can
be digitized with user intervention or automatically using contrasting
markers.  Stick figures are then generated and can be synchronized with
kinematics data.  Additionally, up to 32 channels of analog data (i.e. force
platform, EMG, goniometers etc.) can be synchronized with the kinematics
data.

The APAS product information can be found on the Ariel internet site
(www.arielweb.com).  The direct address to several areas that might be of
interest are listed below.

APAS Product Information
www.arielnet.com/Main/adw-04.html

Comparison of Commercially Available Systems
www.arielnet.com/topics/comparison/default.htm

Selected Applications Of APAS
www.arielnet.com/Main/adw-85.html

APAS-Gait Software Module
/Gait/index.html

Selected Publications Utilizing the Ariel Technology
www.arielnet.com/Main/adw-86.html

APAS Price List
See Attached Price List

Purchasing Options
www.arielnet.com/topics/FAQ/Purchasing_Options.htm


You can even download a full version of the APAS for a free 30 day trial.

Please review the information and feel free to contact us for any additional
questions.

Sincerely,

John Probe
Ariel Dynamics, Inc.
Email:  ARIEL1@ix.netcom.com




----- Original Message -----
From: <Dr.A.Bruessel@t-online.de>
To: <ariel1@ix.netcom.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2001 9:08 AM
Subject: gait analysis system


> Dear Sirs,
>
> I would very likely receive a complete informational package concerning
your
> gait analysis system. Please add detailed technical information as far as
> available, too.
>
> With kind regards
>
> Dr. Andreas Bruessel
> a.b.c. - Technical Consultancy
> Baroper Kirchweg 61
> D - 44227 Dortmund
> Germany
>

Attached is a recent update to the Biomechanics Yellow Pages (BYP).
For more information about the BYP, please see below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ariel Dynamics, Inc.
Trabuco Canyon, CA, USA

One of the premier products designed, manufactured, and marketed, by
Ariel Dynamics, Inc. is the Ariel Performance Analysis System
(APAS).  The APAS is an advanced video-based system operating from
the Windows 95/98/NT/2000  environments.    Resulting from over 30
years of research and development, the APAS integrates
state-of-the-art computer and video processing hardware with
specialized software modules that perform data collection, analysis,
and presentation.  Objective quantifiable documentation is provided
for both 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional analysis.  Specific points
of interest are digitized with user intervention or automatically
using contrasting markers.  Additionally, analog data (i.e. force
platform, EMG, goniometers etc.) can be collected and synchronized
with the kinematic data.  Although  the system has primarily been
used for quantification of human activities, it has also been
utilized in many industrial, non-human applications.

Optional software modules include real-time 3D (6 degree of freedom)
rendering capabilities and full gait pattern analysis utilizing all
industry standard marker sets.

A second unique product from Ariel Dynamics, Inc. is the
Computerized Exercise System (CES). The CES is an interactive
computerized exercise system that automatically monitors, controls
and modifies resistance and velocity.  In addition, the CES can be
interfaced to operate with the APAS.

URL: http://www.arielnet.com
Contact: Gideon Ariel  Ph.D.
Position: President
Address: Ariel Center
6 Alicante
Trabuco Canyon, California, 92679  USA
Phone: (949) 858-4216
Fax: (949) 858-5022
E-mail: ariel1@ix.netcom.com
Last Update: 9/21/2000


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Biomechanics Yellow Pages is a free service, listing companies
that offer biomechanics-related products and services.  As you know,
these companies may not post commercial announcements directly to
Biomch-L.  However, new Yellow Pages listings and updates (no more
than once per year) are posted to Biomch-L by the maintainer of the
Yellow Pages or the Biomch-L moderator.

Dear Claire,

Before you buy either the MA or Vicon systems make sure you have a look at
the APAS system.

It is much less expensive, user friendly, and better in my opinion.  I am
not up to date with the latest systems of Motion Analysis and Vicon but I
find that the APAS system is very versatile in offering high speed data
capture (240 HZ) at low prices, error free digitising with the capability
of mixing automatic and manual digitising and with digitising black not
just bright spots.  This saves an enormous amount of time with trying to
get exactly the right lighting enviroment for automatic digitising and
having the endless frustrations of trying to get 'clean' 3D data of
numerous markers.  We have just used the APAS system to collect data on
golf puts using specatators at the British Open.  We were outside in
bright sunshine and collected data at 240 Hz from 2000 subjects.  We are
now happily digisiting that data automatically on the APAS system.  For
this project I needed to export the data to run my own Fortran programs on
it.  This was easy to do on the APAS system.

I am normally a believer in 'you get what you pay for'.  This is an
exception.  You get better for much less with the APAS system for several
reasons.  1.  Gideon Ariel has the ability and drive to develop everything
himself and uses only a small support staff.  2.  He does this part of his
business because he loves biomechanics - he is extremely wealthy from
other business ventures  and does not rely on this side of his business to
make vast sums of money.

I have not seen the lastest versions of Vicon and MA.  However, I have had
experiences with MA and did not stop throwing money at expensive upgrades
etc.  In the three years I was at Perth we didn't have one study published
from the Motion Analysis system  and despite the time and money that was
thrown at it, the system didn't ever work in a friendly way. It kept
seizing up, was unfriendly for downloading data for other programs, had to
be used indoors in highly controlled lighting environements and, even
then, there was so much time spent in trying to get clean continuous paths
and interpolating excessively that we would have been better off
digitising manually (if it had given us that option). Their newer system,
which I think is Window's based, may be much better (it would certainly
need to be). What you should be aware of though, is that the service was
extremely slow, they passed the buck from one staff member to another, and
their solution to any problem was generally an expensive upgrade rather
than providing technical assistance.  In contrast,  whenever I need
clarification of anything on the APAS system I e-mail Gideon directly. The
reply is always within one day and often within the first hour of sending
the message. 

Claire, I have no vested insterest in the APAS system and have taken the
time to write to you for two reasons:

1.  I am grateful to Gideon for his concern for individuals and the growth
of biomechancis rather than simply making large amounts of money.

2.  As the current President of the ISBS I am eager to see an increase in
the volume of biomechanics research.  Progress is currently thwarted by
uneccessarily expensive systems that prevent many people from contributing
to the science.  The APAS system has brought analysis within the reach of
ordinary departments and individuals.  If one has a reasonable budget, the
saving on video analysis equipment can be used towards other equipment
such as force plates and EMG etc (by the way, Gideon has an analogue
module that integrates nicely with the video system).  You could have a
much more versatile, friendly, and complete system for less than you will
pay for a Vicon or MA system. Further, you can get a site license for
little extra cost and have your students, even at undergraduate level,
doing some real research on a powerful and friendly system.

I too was sceptical of the offers made by the Ariel company.  In fact,
when I hosted the 1999 ISBS conference in Perth I initially rejected
Gideon's offer to give delegates free Ariel software.   As I got to know
Gideon I realised that he is genuine in his desire to facilitate
biomechanics research.  If I was not convinced of this I would not be
risking my reputation as the President of the ISBS. 

I strongly suggest that you have a look at the APAS system before spending
excessively and unecessarily on either the MA or Vicon systems.

Sincerely,

Ross

Professor Ross Sanders PhD
Chair of Sport Science
Department of Physical Education Sport and Leisure Studies
Moray House Institute of Education
The University of Edinburgh
Cramond Road North
Edinburgh EH4 6JD

Email r.sanders@ed.ac.uk
Telephone  (+44) 131 312 6001 ext 208 or 212
Fax (+44) 131 312 6335

ISBS:  http://www.uni-stuttgart.de/External/isbs

----- Original Message -----

From: Eric de Ruyter

To: ariel1@ix.netcom.com

Sent: Friday, February 23, 2001 8:34 AM

Dear Ariel,

 

My name is Eric de Ruijter. I am living and working in the Netherlands in the field of sport biomechanics. I got my degree in Human Movement Science from the Free University of  Amsterdam. Our officially registered company is called Sport Assistance (KvK number 20100108). 

 

We wants to buy your APAS system for video based movement analyses. Our main clients are professional speedskating on ice clubs. As you know in Holland this is a professional sport. Our budget at the moment is low as we started our company 4 monthes ago. However we are growing to a very high budget already about 1,5 years. We want to start with a mimimal APAS system for 2D or 3D which could be used for fieldwork and in our laboratory. In future we want to upgrate this minimal system with highspeed cameras, EMG, force plate, extra cameras, ecc.

 

1) I ask you to send us an official price quotation. We need a minmal APAS system without hardware as we want to buy this hardware in the Netherlands to save money from taxes. We are also in the posession of a personal computer (1000mhz, 20gb, sony 17inch monitor).

 

ADI:  The minimum system that can be purchased is the Basic APAS (software only).  This includes the capability for 2D and 3D analysis with support for automatic digitizing and panning cameras.  You would be required to supply the computer, frame grabber, monitor, cameras etc.  The cost for this option is $5,000.00 USD.

 

 

2) However, could you give us a good description of which hardware we have to buy here in the Netherlands to make our system functional (for example the specific type of two 60 hz cameras). This is important as it is difficult to understand what exactally we need for our system.

 

ADI:  There are many options to the hardware, however, the basic APAS we sell consists of the following:

    Computer 650 MHz (Pentium or equivalent)

    *Frame Grabber (Digital Video IEEE 1394 Firewire compliant)

    Video Card (8 MB Memory or better)

    *2 Digital Video Cameras w/ tripods

    Computer Monitor

    Calibration Cube

 

Notes: 

*1.  If you plan to use analog (VHS, SVHS) cameras, then you will require an analog frame grabber.  Digital Cameras require a Digital Video frame grabber.  The APAS software will work with raw Digital Video or Microsoft compatible AVI video files.

 

2.  If you require the high speed modes (100/120 H and 200/240 Hz) of the JVC Cameras, you will also require the Ariel Software drivers to support the JVC cameras.  No additional software is required to 50/60Hz analysis.

 

3.  Two-dimensional analysis requires only a single camera.  Three-dimensional analysis requires a minimum of 2 cameras but will support any number.  Most users use 2 or 3 cameras for 3-D analysis.

 

 

3) could you tell us if our computer could be used for analyses without a special driver or other components or something like that?

 

ADI:  If you purchase the $5,000.00 Basic APAS, you will be able to perform 2D/3D analysis.  You can download the software and test it for 30 days absolutely free-of-charge to verify this!

 

 

4) If we buy your system can I fly to your company to have a (2 days?) instruction?

 

ADI:  Definitely, if you purchase the system you can come to California for training.  We would have to verify the schedule and to make sure there are no other conflicts.

 

We hope to hear from you soon,

 

Sinceraly yours,

Eric de Ruijter - Sport Assistance 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: James Shippen

To: Ariel

Cc: Gideon Ariel

Sent: Friday, February 02, 2001 6:43 AM

Subject: Re: Requested APAS Information

Hi

 

Many thanks for the information about APAS-2000, if I may ask specific questions:

 

1)  What is the maximum number of cameras which can be synthesized in a 3-D reconstruction?

 

ADI:  The APAS system will support any number of cameras.  A single camera is required for 2D analysis while a minimum of 2 cameras is required for 3D analysis.  Most APAS users find that 2 or 3 cameras will provide accurate data for most applications.  If you wish to look at activities with rotations (ie figure skating, gymnastics etc.) or with to determine segment rotations (ie gait analysis) as many as 5 or 6 cameras may be required.

 

2)  What metrics are available to the user to assess the quality of the re-construction?

 

ADI:  The APAS software utilizes the well-published Direct Linear Transformation (DLT) algorithm for spatial reconstruction.  The DLT Transform Parameters are also provided for each view used for the transformation.  Since the APAS is video-based, the user always has the option to superimpose the digitized image directly on top of the video to examine the source of the original data.

 

3)  What is the maximum resolution and maximum sampling rate of typical cameras?

 

ADI:  Standard NTSC cameras are capable of recording at 60 fields/second (30 frames/second).  Analog video frame grabbers usually capture at a resolution of 720x480 at 30 frames per second with up to 24 bit color. European PAL video format has resolution up to 768x576 at 25 frames per second.

 

Almost any camera can be used with the APAS.  We are currently using Digital Video cameras from JVC.

 

4)  Is there a maximum number of markers which can be automatically tracked?

 

ADI:  The APAS currently supports up to 40 markers.  These can be digitized using the manual or automatic modes.

 

5)  What tools are available for the user when the inevitable break in the track occurs?

 

ADI:  I assume you are referring to when there is a conflict of markers in the automatic digitizing process.  The APAS is designed to stop and wait for user input whenever there is a conflict.  For example, if two markers cross paths, or a marker is no longer visible from the camera, the APAS will stop at that point and wait for the user to verify the location of the current marker.

 

6)  Is it possible to email to me photographs of the system being used in a sports environment and typical output?

 

ADI:  There are several Powerpoint presentations listed directly on the Ariel internet site (www.arielnet.com).  From the main page, look in the sections titled "Slide Presentations" and "Galleries"

 

Also check the following links:

 

World Record Long Jump

    http://24.16.71.95/topics/AVI_files/Long_jump0002.avi

 

Biomechanics Of Power Golf

    /topics/SwingWatch/Biomechanics_of_Golf/index.htm

 

You are also welcome to contact the following APAS users for their input.  Both contact are involved in the analyis of Olympic Level Sports.

 

Dr. Erik Simonsen

University of Copenhagen

Email:  erik_b_simonsen@hotmail.com

 

Dr. Alfred Finch

Indiana State University

Email:  pmfinch@scifac.indstate.edu

 

 

Many thanks

 

James Shippen

 

 

Dr James Shippen
School of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering
The University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham  B15 2TT
Tel 0121 - 414 - 4153
Fax 0121 - 414 - 7484

Hello Kieran Moran,

Thank you for considering Ariel Dynamics Inc. (ADI) in your call for tender. We have provided a description below each of your listed items.

Please feel free to contact us for any additional information.


At 06:16 PM 08/14/2000 +0100, you wrote:
>The newly formed centre for Sport Science and Health is establishing a
>full 3-D analysis laboratory in its new building in the next few months.
>This is a call for tender to manufacturers of 3-D motion analysis
>systems. The finances for the system have not been finalised yet, but
>will be in the region of £100,000. The systems will be judged on the
>following criteria and requirements of the laboratory users. Addition
>features identified by manufacturers will also be taken into account. If
>manufacturers suggest a different system for inside and outside use, or
>for laboratory and roving use (e.g. a hospital setting one day, a
>factory another day), please provide full details and costing for both
>systems.
>
>1. Cost for full 3-D analysis system
>
ADI: Please refer to /Main/adw-54.html for the price list.


>2. Linear accuracy of the system: (a) a simple test of rotating a rod
>(1m long) in the field of analysis, and (b) a performer strapping 0.2m
>long rods (with markers attached to its ends) and performing turning
>motions. In condition b, the rods will be attached to the upper and
>lower aspects of the upper and lower extremities. Rods will also be
>attached to the chest and back.
>
ADI: Please refer to a 3rd party study presented at the International 3D conference in Tennessee. The report is listed on the Ariel internet site. The direct address is:

 /topics/comparison/default.htm 

>3. Angular accuracy of the system: as for liner accuracy, but two
>attached rods and three markers (of known relative orientation) will be
>used.
>
ADI: Please refer to the study mentioned in item 2 above.


>4. The ability of the system to automatically track the markers motions.
>
ADI: Though markers are not required, the APAS supports the ability to automatically track markers from up to 4 views simultaneously. An important advantage of the APAS is the fact that markers are not required to perform an analysis. For example, if you wish to analyze an event in the Olympics, you would not be allowed to place markers on the athletes. With the APAS, you would just video the activity, capture the video to the computer and manually select the desired joints for the first image. In the following images, the APAS software will predict the location of the next joint, however, it will wait for user confirmation to digitize the point. This feature allows "real-world" analysis to take place. Many times, the subject does not even realize that they have been analyzed.


>5. The ability of the system to allow manual marker identification when
>markers are hidden.
>
ADI: When markers are hidden or conflict with other markers, the APAS software pauses the automatic digitizing process and waits for user input to distinguish the correct marker locations.


>6. The ability of the system to interpolate (and the selection of
>interpolation algorithms offered to the user) for lost markers.
>
ADI: When markers are defined as "missing" the APAS software performs a linear interpolation between the "known" points.


>7. The ability of the system's software to determine joint centres when
>markers are placed on the body segment (and not when placed on a single
>anatomical site representing the joint centre). For example the shoulder
>joint.
>



>8. Rate of sampling: 50, 100, 250 Hz etc. Where higher frequency of
>sampling results in a reduction in the number of markers that can be
>used, this should be indicated.
>
ADI: The APAS supports video of any frame rate. The standard rates are 50 Hz PAL and 60 Hz NTSC. Higher rates of 100/120 and 200/240 Hz are supported for high speed digital camcorders. The APAS also allows the ability to use multiple frame rates within the same sequence.


>9. Is there any limitation on the number of markers that can be used?
>
ADI: The current limit is set to 50, however this can be increased if required.


>10. Software that will allow calculation of joint kinetics when a force
>plate (and force plates) is added.
>
ADI: The APAS-Gait program is designed to calculate joint kinetics using a force platform and 5 cameras. This program supports the industry standard marker sets (Helen Hayes and Kit Vaughn). Please refer to the following internet address for additional information.

/Gait/index.html 


>11. Software for easy production of patient reports.
>
ADI: All APAS software is Windows compatible so patient reports are easliy generated.

>12. Software to allow exportation of data.
>
ADI: The APAS allows data (raw and filtered) to be exported in ASCII or worksheet format.


>13. Software (either of the companies or a linked function to other
>software) for producing high quality, full body animated (rendered)
>figures, which ACCURATELY depict the movement of the subject wearing the
>markers. The software should allow the user to design different full
>body figures.
>
ADI: The APAS 3D-Renderer program is used to render any activity analyzed using the APAS. Please refer to the following internet address for additional information.

/Renderer/index.html 


>14. The ability of the systems to incorporate synchronous data from
>other devices (force plate, emg, ecg, eeg etc)
>
ADI: The APAS Analog module is required for collecting analog data. This module supports all commercially made force platforms, EMG and other analog signals.


>15. Support and training
>
ADI: The APAS system consists of "off-the-shelf" hardware items with specialized software. The majority of our support is conducted using Email and FTP capabilities of the internet. APAS software upgrades are provided free of charge (as long as your hardware supports the software) and can be downloaded directly from the Ariel internet site at your convenience.

Training can be conducted at the Ariel office or "on-site" at the customer facility. Costs will vary depending on locations, lenght of training etc. An approximate cost would be $1,500 USD per day, plus expenses.


>16. Servicing contract
>
ADI: Service contracts for the APAS can be purchased at a cost of 10% of the original system cost per year.


>17. Extra cost for allowing multiple computer usage of software for
>teaching purposes.
>
ADI: With the purchase of the "master" APAS system, the same customer can purchase additional workstation software licenses at a cost of $575 USD per computer. The APAS-Workstation allows full data analysis capabilites but does not support data collection.


>The system will be used for sports as well as athletic, hospital and
>factory (ergonomics) based studies.
>
>While I am sure that manufacturers have recorded data regarding the
>accuracy of their system and the degree to which many of the above
>system factors are addressed, I would like to have at least one day
>examining these issues in our laboratory. Therefore, an open invitation
>will be extended to all interested parties.
>
>Finally, examples in the UK where your system is being employed for
>similar usage would be advantageous.
>
ADI: Select APAS users in the UK include

Manchester Metropolitan University
Sheffield Hallam University
Canterbury Christ Church University College
Glasgow University Veterinary Hospital
St. Martin's College
University College Salford
University of Edinburgh
Keele University Bionic Gait Laboratory
University of Sunderland
Total Fitness Limited, Dublin



>If you have any questions, please do not hesitate in contacting me.
>
>Yours Sincerely
>
>Kieran

>--
>Dr Kieran Moran
>Director
>Biomechanics Research Group
>Centre for Sport Science and Health
>Dublin City University
>Dublin 9
>Ireland
>
>tel: 00353 - 1 - 7008011
>fax: 00353 - 1 - 7008888
>
>e-mail: kieran.moran@dcu.ie
>

Hello Dr. Chung-huang Yu:

Thank you for your Email message. Answers are provided below each of your questions.

Please feel free to contact us for any additional information.



----- Original Message -----
From: "chyu" <chyu@tmc.edu.tw>
To: "Ariel" <ariel1@ix.netcom.com>
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2000 12:10 AM
Subject: Price?


> Dear Ariel,
>
> After reviewing the information from your web and discussion with you, we
> decided to have a go to setup a motion analysis with APAS. In order to
save
> tax, we would like to purchase the hardware here and but the software and
> support from you. Now, come to the questions about software and some
other
> special hardware:
> 1. From the internet the APAS is US$5,000, any discount from an
educational