History Main / MotionCaptureMecha

* Appears in the film ''Film/RealSteel.'' While most robots are remote-controlled (or voice-operated), Atom is equipped with a program called "Shadow Mode," which allows him to perfectly mimic a person's movement. Mostly this is used to pre-program moves used on command, but [[spoiler:Charlie later uses the Shadow Mode to help Atom fight against World Robot Boxing champion Zeus when the former's voice command receptor is damaged. Though the final match ends with Atom losing on a technicality, the spectacle of Charlie commanding Atom to pull off a classic [[MyDefenseNeedNotProtectMeForever rope-a-dope]] on [[DefeatingTheUndefeatable Zeus]] earns Atom lauds as the "People's Champion" and seems to herald a new era of Shadow Mode controlled robot boxing.]]

* Appears in the film ''Film/RealSteel.'' While most robots are remote-controlled (or voice-operated), Atom is equipped with a program called "Shadow Mode," which allows him to perfectly mimic a person's movement. Mostly this is used to pre-program moves used on command, but [[spoiler:Charlie later uses the Shadow Mode to help Atom fight against World Robot Boxing champion Zeus when the former's voice command receptor is damaged.]]

** ''VideoGame/Titanfall2'' clarifies - Titans are equipped with a rather robust AI that handles a lot of the machine's movement in response to pilot instructions. If an AI receives a new pilot or vice-versa, it takes time and practice for them to be able to read each other perfectly. This is demonstrated through the campaign - at first, BT scoops Jack up in his robotic hands to help the board from below; in later levels, BT knows how to position himself to Jack lands right in the pilot's seat.

* In ''Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk'' #275 a new villain named Blackbird breaks into Gamma Base and finds a bunch of discarded, never-used weapons. She's there at the behest of her employer ([[spoiler: the Leader]]) but can't resist using a Motion Capture Mecha called Megalith which uses brainwaves to move against the Hulk. Turns out there's a reason it's been scrapped without being used: there's mental feedback so that any damage inflicted on the mecha is felt by the operator. Oh, and the Hulk bashes it to pieces.

* Hisako "Armor" Ichiki, from the ''Comicbook/XMen'', controls her eponymous armor like this. It's a psychic construct, so there's no control interface as such, but Hisako can be seen floating inside the armor as it mimics her movements, and the armor itself is designed to invoke a humanoid mech.

* Creator/RobertHeinlein: The novella ''Literature/{{Waldo}}'' gave a [[{{Neologism}} name]] to remote manipulator devices, which the titular character controlled with special gloves because of his muscular disorder, and the novel ''Literature/{{StarshipTroopers}}'' features battle suits that might well could be the trope codifier.

* Creator/RobertHeinlein's ''Literature/{{Waldo}}'' gave a [[{{Neologism}} name]] to remote manipulator devices, which the titular character controlled with special gloves because of his muscular disorder.

* The Jaegers in ''Film/PacificRim'' exhibit an unusual version of this, with two pilots working in tandem to control the mechas. Their bodies are suspended on a harness that connects to the ceiling of the cockpit and latches onto their backs, while their feet are affixed to pedals on an elliptical track. Meanwhile, their suits project HardLight constructs on their arms and hands to give pilots (and the audience) something to visualize in order to effectively use the Jaeger's weapons. However, all of this is to assist the mental synchronization and coordination of the pilots, since true Jaeger control is performed by a direct mental link. Without the physical component to bridge the gap, a pilot would not be able to visualize their own motions and thus send the command to the mech. But this puts such a strain on a human brain, successfully operating a Jaeger takes ''two'' pilots, and they synchronize their own thoughts, reactions, and muscle memory with a [[MentalFusion neural bridge]]. They also need to synch up deliberately; any other time, pilots are able to individually access displays, keyboards, and secondary systems just by reaching for them with their hands without having the giant mecha mimic their movements.

This usually comes in two flavours, free control cockpit room inside the mecha (or remote controlled by same) or a large apparatus that the pilot fits into. The first type of control have the pilot wearing some kind of motion capture suit, or the room itself has a certain motion capture technology, and the mecha simply mimics it. The second type usually have a mechanized suit, or part of one, inside the cockpit, which is used to capture the motion ''and'' hold the pilot in place. The limitation, especially with the first type, is that the pilot has to be physically capable of performing any moves he wants the mecha to mimic.

Both types, however, usually need some kind of secondary input device (voice activation, thought control, computer assisted action module, traditional keyboard, etc.) to compensate for anything non-human in the mecha, like propulsion, integrated weapons, etc. This is also needed to tell the mecha when to ''stop'' following the pilot's movements when he's ready to open the cockpit hatch and get out. Both variants can be done through remote control technology.

* ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'': Called the Mobile Trace System, the pilot stands on a platform and wears a tight rubber suit which controls all the movements so it can function as a kung fu mecha. Special attacks are voice activated. This is different from other mecha in the ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' 'verse, which generally have nothing but two joysticks and two pedals, and ''maybe'' a few extra buttons or dials.

* ''Anime/MazingerZ'': The SuperRobotGenre TropeMaker showed a primitive form of this. Although Kouji used a pair of joysticks and an array of buttons, levers and pedals to move Mazinger-Z, often Mazinger mirrored his motions inside the cockpit and vice versa (one example happened in an episode where a {{Robeast}} burrowed into the ground to try to escape. Mazinger-Z grabbed the Mechanical Beast's legs and leaned his body and head backwards as it struggled to pull the Mechanical Beast out of the ground. Inside the cockpit, Kouji was in the exact same position, doing the exact same thing).

* {{Downplayed|Trope}} in ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic'' by the [[AMechByAnyOtherName Arm Slaves]], which have their pilots strapped into seats in the cockpit, but are controlled primarily by petals strapped to the pilot's legs and articulating armatures they slip their arms into. Moving the pedals and armatures moves the legs and arms of the machine, "slaving" the movement of mech to the movements of the pilot, hence their name. However, a cockpit limits the full range of motion, so Arm Slaves allow the pilot to set the sensitivity of the motions, requiring only small motions on the part of the pilot to enable large motions on the part of the Arm Slave. Lower sensitivity is easier for a novice pilot to use but limit the responsiveness of the machine, while higher sensitivity allows for more rapid maneuvers but requires much finer control on the pilot's part to avoid overbalancing and falling over.

* In ''Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk'' #275 a new villain named Blackbird breaks into Gamma Base and finds a bunch of discarded, never-used weapons. She's there at the behest of her employer ([[spoiler: the Leader]]) but can't resist using a Motion Capture Mecha called Megalith which uses brainwaves to move against the Hulk. Turns out there's a reason it's been scrapped without being used: there's mental feedback so that any damage infliced on the mecha is felt by the operator. Oh, and the Hulk bashes it to pieces.

* The [[MiniMecha AMP suits]] in ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' work this way, most noticeably when Quaritch is first seen piloting one. He points at Jake; the suit does the same. The arms, hands and upper body are controlled directly from the driver's, including giving feedback against the limbs to represent resistance encountered. Walking and other movements are controlled partly via footpedals though -- it is said that while it is very easy to learn the basics, operations such as getting up from a prone position take a lot more practice.
* Appears in the film ''Film/RealSteel.'' While most robots are remote-controlled (or voice operated), Atom is equipped with a program called "Shadow Mode," which allows him to perfectly mimic a person's movement. Mostly this is used to pre-program moves used on command, but [[spoiler:Charlie later uses the Shadow Mode to help Atom fight against World Robot Boxing champion Zeus when the former's voice command receptor is damaged.]]

** In ''Series/MiraiSentaiTimeranger'', Gien's ultimate robot, [=NeoCrisis=], could plugged directly into Gien, allowing the two to synch perfectly.

* Not a mech, but the spacehship ''The Kestrel'' from ''Podcast/{{Jemjammer}}'' is piloted by a person plugging themselves into the ship's helm and maneuvering it with their arm gestures. It makes drinking a glass of water during somewhat difficult.

* ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'' has a limited example of this. The pilot controls the mech using two to three joysticks, a throttle lever, two to four pedals, and a [[CoolHelmet Neurohelmet]].[[note]]A limited BrainComputerInterface which is used by the 'mech's motion computer to gauge pilot intent in maintaing balance, and also to give a kinesthetic feedback on the 'mech to the pilot to aid in such.[[/note]] Melee combat is normally accomplished by aiming at a nearby enemy and hitting the "punch" button to let the computer sort it all out, but some mechs are equipped with a waldo which the pilot sticks his hand in to control the mech's arm, for for more finesse - a battlemech is unlikely to have one, but a [=IndustrialMech=] probably has one. [[PoweredArmor BattleArmor]] uses hand signals to control its weapons; to fire the built-in lasers, one must point their index and middle finger forwards, clasp their ring and little finger to their palm, and then cover them with their thumb in order to fire. The rest of the battlearmor is controlled by servo-motors to assist the soldier's movement, or by eyesight to trigger heads-up-display elements. While [[MiniMecha Protomechs]] are too small for a full cockpit so pilots need to use their neurohelmet and [[BrainComputerInterface enhanced imaging]] exclusively to operate it.

* The "Direct Motion Link" System in the Dygenguard from ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsAlpha''. As a ShoutOut to ''G Gundam'' and its Mobile Trace System, a pilot stands using a harness-like device to control the mecha through body motions, mimcing their movements inside the cockpit. This is perfect for the Dygenguard's {{Samurai}} pilot [[Characters/SuperRobotWarsAlpha Sanger Zonvolt]], who uses a sword hilt in the cockpit to replicate his sword techniques.
** When ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration'': ''[[AnimeOfTheGame Divine Wars]]'' was released, the Valsione belonging to [[Characters/MasouKishin Lune Zoldark]] reveals a similiar, but earlier design of the Direct Motion Link System. In the Valsione's case, the system also mimics the pilot's face, since the machine is really a giant RobotGirl of sorts.
** The Soulgain and Zweizergain from ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsAdvance'', revealed via ''The Inspectors'' AnimatedAdaptation, also uses an off-shoot of the Direct Motion Link System, but is instead known as the "Direct Feedback" System. While mimicing its pilot's movements, it also allows the pilot to execute KiManipulation through a build-up of emotions.
** At least in the [[AllThereInTheManual supplemental materials]], all Shura Gods from ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsCompact3'' uses an unnamed system that looks similar to the Direct Motion Link System. Regardless, this trope fits for Shura characters, since they're all martial art practicioners.

* ''VideoGame/MetalFatigue's'' giant Combots are controlled by a group of four, with the main pilot using this method to do all the major controls like moving and attacking. The rest of the squad then manages things like engines and orther systems.

* The titular machines in ''VideoGame/TitanFall'' seem to partly use this trope; the Militia's opening for the first campaign level (revealed in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5sqPxbLmIU this trailer]]) show an AI Pilot giving orders to the ground troops from inside his Titan, with the cockpit open while the Titan mimics his hand gestures, suggesting that a Titan's upper body is controlled through motion capture. But this is all we really get to see of their control system so there's no indication on how they control the lower body. They could use the same control system as the suits from Avatar, mentioned up in the Film examples.
** ''VideoGame/Titanfall2'' clarifies - Titans are equipped with a rather robust AI that handles a lot of the machine's movement in response to pilot instructions. If an AI receives a new pilot or vice-versa, it takes time and practice for them to be able to read each other perfectly. This is demonstrated through the campaign - at first, BT scoops Jack up in his robotic hands to help he board from below; in later levels, BT knows how to position himself to Jack lands right in the pilot's seat.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' episode "Raging Bender," Bender fights an Ultimate Robot Fighter many times his size, who is controlled by Phnog, Leela's old martial arts teacher, whom she hates. When Leela realizes that Phnog is controlling the robot directly, she fights him, and gets him to punch himself, using the robot's fist... knocking himself (and the robot) out.

* A Japanese four legged robot that was developed to work in nuclear power plants or any other hazardous environment, subverts this. Its motions are computer generated, yet a assisted control personnel can put on two four fingered motion capture controls and assist in its hand and finger motions.

* The Ingram-98s in {{Anime/Patlabor}} have gloves that the pilot can use for fine manipulation of the unit's hands. These are the only parts that can be controlled that way and they don't see a lot of use but the option does exist.

* In the second book of the ''Literature/{{Leviathan}}'' trilogy, the throne of the Ottoman Sultan turns out to be a gigantic, humanoid automaton that copies his movements as he sits beneath it, from things like tilting his head or pointing at something. However, the thing is actually being operated manually by hidden engineers, and Deryn notes that the sultan’s gestures are slow and sweeping to make it easier for the operators to read them and compensate.

* Team Rocket, who routinely use HumongousMecha in the ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' anime, used a couple of Meowth-themed versions of these in the ''Sun and Moon'' series. It's usually the one way [[NonActionGuy Meowth]] manages to be a halfway dangerous battle against the heroes.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* [[MiniMecha Landmates]] in ''Manga/{{Appleseed}}'' move their arms and legs like this: The thighs/upper legs are oversized to fit the operator's legs, while their arms fit in a pair of small "Master" arms in the mech's chest, which the larger "Slave" arms copy the movements of.
** Similar mechs appear in ''Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex'' (also by Shirow Masamune).

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]

* The [[MiniMecha AMP suits]] in ''{{Film/Avatar}}'' work this way, most noticeably when Quaritch is first seen piloting one. He points at Jake; the suit does the same. The arms, hands and upper body are controlled directly from the driver's, including giving feedback against the limbs to represent resistance encountered. Walking and other movements are controlled partly via footpedals though - it is said that while it is very easy to learn the basics, operations such as getting up from a prone position take a lot more practice.

[[folder:Webcomics]]

* [=LIMBs=] in ''Webcomic/MyLifeAtWar'' have a single arm controlled by the pilot using a gauntlet on their right arm, leaving them free to operate secondary controls with their left.

* The Jaegers in ''Film/PacificRim'' exhibit an unusual version of this, with two pilots working in tandem to control the mechas. Their bodies are suspended on a harness that connects to the ceiling of the cockpit and latches onto their backs, while their feet are affixed to pedals on an elliptical track. Meanwhile, their suits project HardLight constructs on their arms and hands to give pilots (and the audience) something to visualize in order to effectively use the Jaeger's weapons. However, all of this is to assist the mental synchronization and coordination of the pilots, since true Jaeger control is performed by a direct mental link. Without the physical component to bridge the gap, a pilot would not be able to visualize their own motions and thus send the command to the mech. But this puts such a strain on a human brain, successfully operating a Jaeger takes ''two'' pilots are required, and they synchronize their own thoughts, reactions, and muscle memory with a [[MentalFusion neural bridge]]. They also need to synch up deliberately; any other time, pilots are able to individually access displays, keyboards, and secondary systems just by reaching for them with their hands without having the giant mecha mimic their movements.

* Spoofed in ''Plan 7 of 9 from Outer Space'' when the pilot wipes the sweat from his forehead and sends a slaved-arm crashing into his targeting sensors. He also activates his retro-rockets by farting and fires a riot-cannon loaded with sticky foam upon [[JizzedInMyPants seeing an attractive girl in a short skirt]].

** ''VideoGame/Titanfall2'' clarifies - Titans are equipped with a rather robust AI that handles a lot of the mahine's movement in response to pilot instructions. If an AI receives a new pilot or vice-versa, it takes time and practice for them to be able to read each other perfectly. This is demonstrated through the campaign - at first, Beetee scoops Jack up in his robotic hands to help he board from below; in later levels, Beetee knows how to position himself to Jack lands right in the pilot's seat.

* Team Rocket, who routinely use HumongousMecha in the ''Anime/[{Pokemon}}'' anime, used a couple of Meowth-themed versions of these in the ''Sun and Moon'' series. It's usually the one way [[NonActionGuy Meowth]] manages to be a halfway dangerous battle against the heroes.

* Ryan Walker, the main character of ''Series/MechX4'', controls his robot with his movements.

** The Soulgain and Zweizergain from ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsAdvance'', revealed via ''The Inspectors'' AnimatedAdaptation, also uses an off-shoot of the Direct Motion Link System, but is instead known as the "Direct Feedback" System. While mimicing its pilot's movements, it also allows the pilot to execute KiAttacks through a build-up of emotions.

* Upper body movement of the Colossus is controlled by [[ArcVillain Kuvira]] in the finale of ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra''. There is fine enough mocap control that she can manipulate the hands, as the trope image shows.

* Team Rocket, who routinely use HumongousMecha in the ''{{Anime/Pokemon}}'' anime, used a couple of Meowth-themed versions of these in the ''Sun and Moon'' series. It's usually the one way [[NonActionGuy Meowth]] manages to be a halfway dangerous battle against the heroes.

* Team Rocket, who routinely use HumongousMecha in the ''{{Anime/Pokemon}}'' anime, used a couple of Meowth-themed versions of these in the ''Sun and Moon'' series. It's usually the one way [[NonActionGuy Meowth]] manages to be a halfway dangerous battler against the heroes.

* ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' / ''Franchise/PowerRangers''

* ''Film/SpyKids3DGameOver'' has a giant robot that Juni Cortez has to use against [[spoiler: Demetra]] in an arena match; by the use of a special suit, and moving in place on an open platform. Any movements by him are mirrored by the robot, although Juni doesn't get used to it right away.

[[folder: Tabletop games]]

[[folder:Video Game]]

[[folder: Web Original]]