In Focus: Cometa X-Series

Manufacturer website: https://www.cometasystems.com/
Twitter: @CometaSystems
Facebook: facebook.com/CometaSystems
Instagram: @cometasrl
Devices: EMG variations, IMUs

Feature Focus

Still the smallest dimensions on the market for wireless sensors (PicoX: 41x23x14 mm, <10 grams)
Fixed delay, no matter how many channels in use
Single receiver unit – WaveX – for all Cometa sensors
Option to include onboard storage for up to 8 hours record time
Option to add waterproofing allows data collection for water sports and activities
Comes with capture/analysis software (EMG and Motion Tools) or integrate fully into Vicon Nexus

Company Focus

Cometa Systems is a technology company based in Milan, Italy, renowned for their compact and high quality medical-grade products. Cometa’s main product line is electromyography (EMG) sensors, for measuring muscle activations, and they also have an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The X-Series, released in 2023, builds on the success of the Plus-Series by refining what makes Cometa sensors such great technology and adding new features.

Cometa X-Series Brochure (PDF Download)

Product Focus

MiniX / MiniX Waterproof (onboard storage + waterproofing)

The MiniX is the traditional-style EMG sensor, comprising a unit with two leads to attach to electrodes. It succeeds the Mini Wave unit, squeezing more tech into an even smaller form factor.

	Mini Wave	MiniX	MiniX Waterproof
Size	18.6 x 32.7 x 12.5 mm	32 x 23 x 11.8 mm	45 x 20 x 14 mm
Weight	7.5 g	11.2 g	14.2 g
Data Channels	EMG, triaxial accelerometer	EMG, nine-axis IMU*	EMG, nine-axis IMU*
Sample Information	2000 Hz. 16-bit	2000 Hz, 16-bit	2000 Hz, 16-bit
Receiver	Wave Plus	WaveX	WaveX
Battery Life (Est.)	8 hrs	10 hrs	10 hrs
Internal Memory (option)	8 hrs of data	8 hrs of data	8 hrs of data

* Only raw data currently available. Fused data (orientation) and kinematic model available soon via EMG & Motion Tools update.

Just like the Mini Wave, the MiniX can be waterproofed for water-based captures. The waterproof version is rated to IP68 (certified to depths of 5 m). Water-based/remote capture involves using a remote to trigger onboard capture (data downloaded post-session), so participants can go in the water, the next room or next suburb without data ever being lost. Onboard storage and battery life gives you eight hours of capture and an improved WiFi connection means data download is up to three times faster than Wave Plus systems.

PicoX

Lose the EMG leads with PicoX! Clip electrodes directly to the unit for fast and precise EMG application. This compact setup is perfect for paediatrics, or setups with limited space (e.g. if markers are also attached to the participant). Although slightly larger than their predecessor, the newest Pico sensors feature a full IMU, completely closed plastic cover and improved WiFi communication for stronger signal connection.

In addition to the PicoX, Cometa now offer the PicoLite. This unit strips back some of the features of the PicoX to squeeze into the profile of the original Pico, giving you the smallest form EMG going around.

	Pico	PicoX	PicoLite
Size	41 x 15.5 x 11.3 mm	41 x 23 x 14 mm	41 x 15.5 x 11.3 mm
Weight	7 g	9.5 g	7 g
Data Channels	EMG, triaxial accelerometer	EMG, nine-axis IMU*	EMG
Sample Information	2000 Hz, 16-bit	2000 Hz, 16-bit	2000 Hz, 16-bit
Receiver	Wave Plus	WaveX	WaveX
Battery Life (Est.)	12 hrs	10 hrs	20 hrs
Internal Memory (option)	8 hrs of data	8 hrs of data	2 hrs of data

* Only raw data currently available. Fused data (orientation) and kinematic model available soon via EMG & Motion Tools update.

PicoX boasts the same capabilities as the MiniX (although they cannot be waterproofed) and operate through the same WaveX receiver unit. This means that an EMG system can comprise a mix of MiniX and PicoX sensors for the greatest flexibility. They also just look great!

TrackX (IMU)

The TrackX IMU takes all the best features Cometa has developed for EMG and applies them to an IMU. Small, lightweight, able to be waterproofed and completely compatible with the same receiver. This means you can have a system comprising WaveX, PicoX, PicoLite and TrackX’s via a single WaveX receiver unit and controlled in a single program, capturing EMG and IMU data simultaneously.

	WaveTrack	TrackX	TrackX Waterproof
Size	25.2 x 35.7 x 10.2 mm	32 x 23 x 11.8 mm	34 x 25 x 14 mm
Weight	< 10 g	6.9 g	10 g
Data Channels	Nine-axis IMU (Acc, Gyr, Mag) Fused data^	Nine-axis IMU (Acc, Gyr, Mag)^*	Nine-axis IMU (Acc, Gyr, Mag)^*
Sample Information	Fused Data* – up to 280 Hz	Acc – up to 500 Hz Gyr – up to 500 Hz Mag – up to 100 Hz Fused Data* – up to 400 Hz	Acc – up to 500 Hz Gyr – up to 500 Hz Mag – up to 100 Hz Fused Data* – up to 400 Hz
Receiver	Wave Plus	WaveX	WaveX
Battery Life (Est.)	8 hrs	6 hrs	6 hrs
Internal Memory	8 hrs of data	6 hrs of data	6 hrs of data

^ For WaveTrack, data fusion was performed onboard the sensors and streamed/stored. For TrackX and other WaveX sensors, fusion will be performed in EMG & Motion Tools post-capture.

* Only raw data currently available. Fused data (orientation) and kinematic model available soon via EMG & Motion Tools update.

WaveX (Receiver)

The most striking difference between the Plus-Series systems and the X-Series is the receiver unit. Cometa have completely reimagined the unit, adding a large touchscreen to convey information including battery life, sensor type and signal strength. Inside, the WaveX has a beefed up WiFi system for better signal strength and faster data download, and increased sensor capacity (from 32 up to 36). The best features of the Plus-Series are carried through, you can still select to have amazing coverage, analog output, and trigger functionality (send or receive).

EMG and Motion Tools (Software)

Each Cometa system comes with complimentary capture and processing software: EMG & Motion Tools. This simple yet powerful interface has a host of features:

Real time display of EMG and IMU data
Processing capabilities (including FFT, filtering, rectification, smoothing, cycle and freq. analysis)
Joint angle estimation and 3d body view (for Wave Track systems)
Export to C3D or ASCII file format
Capture synced reference video with a USB/webcam camera
Export and report of all analyses
Biofeedback functionality
Plugin compatibility

Final Notes

Here is a list of publications using Cometa technology
There is an SDK available (C#, MatLab, Python, C++, any language compatible with Dll library format)
Fine wire adapters available, compatible with both Mini Wave and Pico sensors
We have a demo system in house and would be more than happy to show it off to you – whether in-person or remotely for now until we can get to you!