Degaussing your space: A guide to magnetic interference

What is magnetic interference

Magnetic inteference, also called electromagnetic interference, is a disturbance generated by an external source such as metalic objects or electronics, that affects an electrical circuit by electromagnetic induction, electrostatic coupling, or conduction.

Usually, magnetic interference in a home, a common studio, or another everyday space, can be caused by objects such as metal chairs, speakers, headphones, radiators, metal pipes, floor heating pipes, (sometimes) a desktop computer, etc

How does Rokoko Studio handle magnetic interference

The Smartsuit Pro II sensors take advantage of the Sensor Fusion 2.0 to better handle the effects of magnetic interference. 

Apart from this, we will also see what else we can do to minimize the effects of mangetic interference.

How does Rokoko Studio handle magnetic interference

The Smartsuit Pro II sensors take advantage of the Sensor Fusion to better handle the effects of magnetic interference. Apart from this, we will also see what else we can do to minimize the effects of mangetic interference.

How magnetic interference can affect your Rokoko hardware

Depending on what Rokoko hardware you are using, magnetic inteference can have different effects.

Smartsuit Pro II: 

• Inaccurate movements
• Dirft

How do I know it's interference? - Magnetic interference on the Smartusit Pro can be indicated by the yellow sensors on the UI panel in Studio.

An example of magnetic interference on the Smartsuit Pro leg sensors where the left foot looks to the side instead of the front, causing inaccuracy.

Smartgloves: 

• Mostly immune to magnetic interference, except for the wrist sensor which can be interfered with if placed near or on top of another Smartglove's hub.

How do I know? - Can be indicated by the yellow sensor on the UI panel.

Coil Pro: 

• Smartglove movement inaccuracies and offset.
• Reduction in Coil Pro's signal quality.

How do I know? - If the Coil Pro's LED on top of it is red, it is possible that there is magnetic interference.

What to do if you have magnetic interference in your capture area

If you encounter magnetic inteference, follow the steps below.

• Try using the Rokoko hardware in another space without much metal or electronics in your immediate vicinity to see if the issue persists. 

• Use one of the following recommended apps to measure the magnetic interference in your area. 
  Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mreprogramming.ultimateemfdetector

  iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/emf-analytics/id1625551565

TIPS: To get the most accurate results from these apps, ensure they are set to display readings in Gauss. 

The absolute magnetic field strength you see on the magnetometer isn't the primary concern; what matters most is the stability of those values. The Smartsuit Pro requires a stable magnetic environment with a fluctuation limit of approximately ±0.15 Gauss. If the readings fluctuate beyond this range, it indicates interference that will disrupt the motion capture data.

Because handheld readings can be sensitive, treat this as a general guideline rather than an exact science. Look for a location where the numbers stay relatively steady, then perform a test with the suit to confirm.

Example of stable vs. unstable fluctuation:

Stable (Good): The reading hovers around 0.40 Gauss, shifting slightly between 0.38 and 0.42. The total fluctuation is very small (approx 0.04).

Unstable (Interference): The reading jumps erratically from 0.40 to 0.75 and back down to 0.30. This fluctuation of 0.45 is well outside the ±0.15 safe window.

• Use a portable computer such as a laptop, and try to perform a recording somewhere that you know has no metal or electronics in the immediate vicinity. 
• Use the the Smartsuit's hotspot feature to connect to the laptop without a router (Smartgloves are not supported for Hub's hotspot; please have only your Smartsuit connected to the battery). For more info on how to use the hotspot feature, please refer to our article here: Smartsuit Pro Internal Wifi Hotspot Mode – Rokoko

If the Smartsuit's performance is better after changing environments, then the problem was very likely in your previous working environment.

Conclusion

Magnetic field is tricky and sometimes can be reduced by "blocking" it, or by using another location, but it's not something that can be fully avoided or fixed.
First, please try checking which object is affecting your Smartsuit's performance. For example, radiators (these cause much interference), fridges, microwave ovens, metal chairs, pipes under the floor, etc. The best option is to remove these objects from your office.

If you believe magnetic interference is not the cause of your performance issues, please reach out to support@rokoko.com with any useful information such as:

• Videos from your recording environment.
• Photos of any suspicious object that you think may cause interference.
• Details on where/what the recording space is.
  Example: An underground recording studio may be suspectible to magnetic interference due to the water pipes, electrical wires or other metal around.