Positional tracking

3D tracking is the tracking of an object in three dimensions of space. It is more useful to talk about 3DOF tracking or 6DOF tracking.

3D tracking can be done in three major categories: inertial, magnetic, and optical.

A rigid body that has physical size can be rotated on three axes, and positionally shifted on three axes, for a total of six degrees of freedom, also known as 6DOF.

In the 1990s, there was a frenzy about 3D tracking and it was used a lot for motion capture for 3D animated movies.

Common methods of 3D tracking include SLAM and electromagnetic tracking.

Methods

Electromagnetic tracking requires an external source. It also does not work reliably in the presence of metallic objects, like a metal laptop computer. A metallic laptop 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.

Magnetic tracking is typically wired, but it does not have to be.