OptiTrack Launches ActiveIO, the Next Generation of Active Tracking with Two-Way Device Communication

New hardware ecosystem combines a proprietary two-way RF communication protocol, IMU sensor fusion, and extended range — purpose-built for location-based VR, virtual production, live events, and tactical training industries that demand high precision, scalability, and ease of use.

CORVALLIS, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OptiTrack, the global leader in precision motion capture, today announced the launch of ActiveIO, its next-generation active tracking hardware ecosystem. Built for resilience, precision, and operations that scale, ActiveIO represents the new peak of active marker tracking technology — designed for environments where reliability isn’t optional and operations can’t fail.

The system’s breakthrough is a proprietary two-way RF communication protocol that lets OptiTrack’s Motive software talk directly with every device in the volume. Each LED self-identifies in light through unique binary patterns, allowing identical objects to be tracked simultaneously in real time without distinctive marker arrangements. Firmware updates push automatically. Battery and status data stream back. And general-purpose input/output (GPIO) ports relay external signals — button presses, joystick input, sensor data — directly into Motive or downstream render engines via NatNet.

“With ActiveIO, we built tracking for missions that can’t fail. This is a breakthrough for motion capture technology, eliminating the headache of custom marker configurations. By allowing identical objects to self-identify in real time, we are empowering our customers in virtual production, location-based VR, and robotics to deploy faster, track further, and operate with absolute confidence in the most demanding environments.” – Sidney Rittenberg, CEO @ OptiTrack

Unlike passive markers that rely on reflected light, or older Active Classic products that pulse without unique identification, ActiveIO markers blink on and off between frames in unique binary patterns, so every marker is uniquely identified 100% of the time. With IMU sensor fusion, tracking is possible down to a single marker with 6 DoF rigid body data, delivering accurate rotational data that is robust against occlusion.

Additional ActiveIO advantages include extended range with high-power markers visible well past 30 meters; GPIO ports for relaying user inputs through the tracking pipeline; and an IP67-rated BaseStation with redundant RF antennas built for permanent outdoor deployment.

The ActiveIO Ecosystem

The initial ActiveIO ecosystem launch includes several core components designed to scale:

• ActiveIO BaseStation: The heart of the system, managing network coordination and synchronizing cameras with devices via dual RF antennas. IP67 weatherproof rated for permanent outdoor mounting.
• ActiveIO Puck: A standalone trackable device providing lightning-fast 6DoF tracking, featuring a factory-installed Tag with 8 LEDs, a rechargeable 12-hour battery, and an IMU.
• ActiveIO Tag-8: Compact, lightweight emitters for dynamic object or prop tracking, providing direct access to LED and GPIO ports for custom integration. Similar form factor to previously designed Active Classic hardware for ease of migration.
• ActiveIO Wand & Square: High-power, purpose-built calibration tools that track at extended distances.
• Wired CinePuck & AnchorPuck: Delivering the highest level of accuracy with 32-bit IMU precision and stable reference tracking for large-scale environments.
• HMD Clips: Custom tracking clips that attach to the front of virtual reality headsets, including the HTC Vive Focus 3.

Built for the Most Demanding Applications

ActiveIO is engineered for the applications that demand the most from a tracking system: location-based VR arenas with identical props or players, in-camera VFX volumes where accuracy is non-negotiable, live theatrical and broadcast productions, and large-scale athletic or tactical training. It also opens new ground in robotics, drone tracking, CAVE environments, and embedded trackables.

“This is the only solution that combines ultra-precise active tracking with real-time device updates, status monitoring, and external input relay through GPIO. It’s what our customers have been asking for, and it’s what comes next for the industry.” – Anthony Lazzaro, Sr. Director of Software @ OptiTrack

Availability

ActiveIO is available for purchase at optitrack.com and shipping now through OptiTrack and its authorized resellers. The platform requires Motive 3.5 or later. For complete specifications, pricing, and ordering, visit optitrack.com/activeio.

About OptiTrack

OptiTrack is the global leader in precision 3D motion capture, providing the world’s most accurate and reliable tracking systems for robotics, virtual production, entertainment, biomechanics, simulation/training, and academic/research environments. With industry-leading technology, real-time software, and fully integrated workflows, OptiTrack delivers sub-millimeter accuracy (as low as 50 microns) at extreme speeds and scale. From engineering labs to film sets to autonomous systems, organizations worldwide rely on OptiTrack as the motion-tracking backbone for their most demanding applications. Visit optitrack.com to learn more.