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The Boulic–Thalmann (BT) model is an empirical model of human walking based on the motion of an average human being. It was developed to provide computationally efficient tools for aiding computer animation. In the BT model, the body is represented as a stick figure. The components of motion that are addressed are: (1) pelvic roll, pitch, and yaw, (2) flexion of the knee, hip, and ankle, (3) yaw (or torsion) of the torso independent of the lower body (pelvis and legs), (4) flexion of the shoulder and elbow, and (5) three-component translation of the body as a whole.

The center of the body coordinate system is the spine center, a point located about 7 inches above the pelvis. The axis is in the vertical direction and the axis points in the direction the individual is walking. The lower body is free to rotate in three directions (roll, pitch, and yaw) about the spine center. The torso is free to rotate about the spine center independently of the lower body. Flexion occurs at the hip, knee, and ankle for the right and left legs. Flexion occurs at the shoulder and elbow for the right and left arms. Left side and right side leg and arm motions are symmetrical. Additionally, the body translates about the spine center. In total there are twelve degrees of freedom.

One cycle of walking consists of two steps. It begins with left foot heel strike (HS), continues through right foot HS, left foot toe off (TO), and ends with the second HS of the left foot. In the BT model, the velocity of walking is nondimensionalized in terms of thigh height. If denotes the velocity of walking in m/s and is the thigh height, then the relative velocity is . Relative velocity is measured in units of “thigh height” per sec. Body height and thigh height are related via . An individual who is 6 feet tall (1.83 m) will have a thigh height of about 1 m. Boulic and Thalmann consider relative velocities in the range m/s. A brisk walk of about 4 mph corresponds to a relative velocity of about 1.7–1.8 m/s depending upon thigh height of the individual.

Time in the BT model is measured relative to the duration of the walk cycle . This parameter is calculated using a form of Inman's law that states that sec, where is the relative velocity. During the course of one walk cycle the relative time will vary between 0 and 1.

Use the upper two buttons on the graph to control the selection of the body height and relative velocity . Increasing the relative velocity causes the stick figure to take longer steps. The lower button in the graph controls relative time in the walk cycle. Moving this button causes the stick figure to walk. The animation is presented in a coordinate system that moves with the walker.

[1] R. Boulic, N. Thalmann, and D. Thalmann, "A Global Human Walking Model with Real-Time Kinematic Personification," Visual Computer 6(6), 1990, pp. 344–358.

[2] M. Bradley, "A Mathematical Implementation of 'A Global Human Walking Model with Real-Time Kinematic Personification' by Boulic, Thalmann and Thalmann," Human, Light Vehicle and Tunnel Detection Workshop, June 16–17, 2009.

[3] V. Inman, H. Ralston, and F. Todd, Human Walking, Baltimore, Maryland: Williams & Wilkins, 1981.

[4] D. A. Winter, Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement, 4th ed., New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2009.