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Measuring the three-dimensional kinematics of a free-swimming koi carp by video tracking method

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Abstract

A video tracking system for measuring three-dimensional kinematics of a free-swimming fish is presented. The tracking is accomplished by simultaneously taking images from the ventral view and the lateral view of the fish with two cameras mounted on two computer-controlled and mutually orthogonal translation stages. Compared to the previous system we reported, the time resolution is greatly improved. A koi carp is selected for the experiment. By processing the images caught by the video tracking system, the three-dimensional kinematics of the koi carp during a continuous swimming containing several moderate maneuvers are obtained. In particular, the pitching motion of fish body and the tail motion, including lateral excursion, variation in tail height and torsion, are revealed for burst-and-coast swimming and turning maneuver. The error analysis is also provided for the measurement results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China

    Guanhao Wu

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  1. Guanhao Wu
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Correspondence to Guanhao Wu.

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Wu, G. Measuring the three-dimensional kinematics of a free-swimming koi carp by video tracking method. J Bionic Eng 7, 49–55 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1672-6529(09)60190-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1672-6529(09)60190-6

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