Electromagnetic tracking is a kind of 3D tracking that generates magnetic fields and detects them from a sensor. It is a native technology for 6DOF tracking. It can be implemented in an electromagnetic tracking system.
Magnetic tracking preserves high frequency transients in movement, like a flick of a finger.
It was invented in about 1970 by Polhemus. Another company that has made electromagnetic tracking devices is Ascension Technologies.
The Magic Leap 1 uses magnetic tracking for its handheld controller, but in a poor form.
Examples of products include the Polhemus FASTRAK.
A metallic object has to be at least a foot or two away from the tracking area so it doesn't interfere. Metallic objects cause jitter and drift.
Companies
Types
- AC magnetic tracking (Polhemus)
- pulsed DC magnetic tracking (Used by Ascension, later NDI)