From Laboratory to Field: Benchmarking Motion Capture Technologies for Offshore Wind Turbine Maintenance Ergonomics

Offshore wind turbine maintenance poses significant ergonomic challenges due to physically demanding tasks performed in dynamic environments. This study benchmarks three motion capture technologies—marker-based, flexible sensor-based, and phone video-based systems—for evaluating biomechanical demands in simulated maintenance activities. Sagittal plane lumbar flexion angles derived from sensor- and video-based systems closely match those from the marker-based system in simpler tasks, with root mean square error (RMSE) values under 7° and high correlation coefficients. However, accuracy declined in complex or multi-plane motions, particularly for axial rotations. These findings support the use of sensor- and video-based systems as portable, costeffective alternatives to marker-based motion capture for field applications, while underscoring the need for cautious interpretation for dynamic or asymmetric movements.