Polhemus

Polhemus makes electromagnetic motion tracking systems and 3D digitizers in Vermont, in the United States. Its systems track six degrees of freedom with very low delay. The sensors are small enough to build into other products. The company has worked in this field for over 50 years.

The company began in 1969. Its founder was a military navigator with more than 20 years of service, including 64 combat missions in Korea. He started Polhemus Navigation Sciences, and the firm won a research contract on airborne navigation problems. That same year, his work on navigation led to the invention of six degree of freedom tracking by electromagnetics.

The first product was made for pilots. It was head tracking for the military, and the company still supplies it today. Its trackers are used for helmet tracking on live aircraft and in flight simulators. In the early 1980s, Polhemus began selling off-the-shelf systems, starting with the 3Space family. In 2018 it launched Viper, which can track up to 16 sensors and lets users add sources to extend the tracking range.

The product range includes motion trackers, head trackers, hand and finger trackers, sensors, wireless trackers and 3D digitizing. A product comparison guide helps buyers pick the right system.

Polhemus serves three main markets. Research and technology users include scientists and virtual and augmented reality developers. In the military market, its tools support training and head tracking. Medical customers use the systems for training and simulation. The company says it is a Good Manufacturing Practices contract manufacturer under US FDA rules, but it does not make medical devices. Its systems are not certified for medical use.

The company holds ISO 9001 certification. It works with distributors, OEM and VAR partners and eye tracking partners. It has won awards from technology and simulation groups, including a Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Services

• Electromagnetic motion trackers
• Head trackers
• Hand and finger trackers
• Wireless trackers
• Sensors
• 3D digitizing
• OEM and VAR integration
• Contract manufacturing
• Customer support