What Does Six Degrees of Freedom (6DOF) Mean?

Six degrees of freedom (6DOF) refers to the specific number of axes that a rigid body is able to freely move in three-dimensional space. It defines the number of independent parameters that define the configuration of a mechanical system. Specifically, the body can move in three dimensions, on the X, Y and Z axes, as well as change orientation between those axes though rotation usually called pitch, yaw and roll.

Techopedia Explains Six Degrees of Freedom (6DOF)

Six degrees of freedom is a specific parameter count for the number of degrees of freedom an object has in three-dimensional space, such as the real world. It means that there are six parameters or ways that the body can move.

  • Moving up and down along the Y axis is called heaving.Moving forwards and backwards along the X axis is called surging.Moving left and right along the Z axis is called swaying.

  • Moving between X and Y is called pitch.Moving between X and Z is called yaw.Moving between Z and Y is called roll.