gimbal video

[reedchristiansen]

Hello all,

Here is some gimbal video shot from a zagi. It is a new 2 axis micro gimbal that will soon be avaliable. The gimbal uses inexpensive hobby servos and is pointed using gps. The videos are kind of big, but it is interesting to see how the gimbal moves to keep things in its field of view.

http://www.procerusuav.com/video/gimbalvideo/1_lap_farm_house_fly_over.mpg
http://www.procerusuav.com/video/gimbalvideo/car_flyover.mpg
http://www.procerusuav.com/video/gimbalvideo/car_flyover_lower.mpg
http://www.procerusuav.com/video/gimbalvideo/farm_house_flyover_2.mpg
http://www.procerusuav.com/video/gimbalvideo/farm_house_flyover_3.mpg
http://www.procerusuav.com/video/gimbalvideo/farm_house_flyover_enter_orbit.mpg
http://www.procerusuav.com/video/gimbalvideo/gimbal_re_point.mpg
http://www.procerusuav.com/video/gimbalvideo/orbit_farm_house.mpg



Reed

[Steve McBride]

Very nice. I am interested in the following:

1) Size of the gimbal
2) Weight
3) Load capacity
4) Price estimate

Is it a self contained unit or separate control unit and gimbal?

[Mr.RC-CAM]

That is simply amazing.

[reedchristiansen]

Very nice. I am interested in the following:

1) Size of the gimbal
I don't have access the official specs, but it is around 2.5x1.75x1 - the ball itself is about 1 inch in diameter - just big enough for the blackwidow AV 400 line camera.


2) Weight
65 grams with camera and servos

3) Load capacity
- not much more then a 400 line ccd camera - maybe 1 ounce. It is a chain drive from an hs-56.
4) Price estimate
I will get back to you on that.


Is it a self contained unit or separate control unit and gimbal?

It can be controlled with an RC rx, but if you want GPS pointing/stabilization, you need an autopilot that can support it. The Kestrel autopilot was used for the video in the post. It does a nice job, and allows the user 3 modes of control:

1. full manual through gamepad controller
2. manual pointing with stabilization through gamepad
3. GPS pointing with smoothing. The user controls the location the gimbal is pointing by clicking on the moving map, or clicking "track target" on the gamepad when the desired target is in the camera FOV.


Reed

[toofastdave]

I am also very interested in this. Please keep us posted on progress and availability. :)

Nice work!
Dave

[lvspark]

Looks cool... Good Job!
I did not watch all the videos, does the kestrel also control the cameras tilt?

[Griffo]

I'm interested too :)

[toofastdave]

Any updates on this??

Dave

[libelulamodelos]

where is gimbal images??

[awmeade]

Very very nice - Interest from me too!

as above - any pictures of the unit please?
many thanks,
Andy.

[toofastdave]

I am being invited to another (2nd) Change of Command Ceremony at Langley Air Force Base coming up in June and they want aerial video or pictures..while I am flying ovehead. I am flying my Predator "B" Aircraft for an actual Predator Squadron so it would be nice to have someting like this to show off for the Air Force... I am using an Aiptek Mini Pen Cam right now which is hit or miss with pictures... Are you interested in working with me to put this on my Predator Aircraft to take video?

FYI, there will actually be two Change of Commands happening that day so I have to do two fly overs. Haven't heard a peep on this for quite some time but I figured it would be pretty cool to have your stuff (or mine if I can buy it, or rent it) on a flyover on an Air Force Base. The payload is borderline on what I can carry but it would be a great opportunity to have something like this on board for the flights.

FYI#2 I don't get paid to do this but I can get a unit coin from the squadron for you. I am getting unit coins for my support crew. I mainly do this for exposure and because a friend of mine works for the squadron.

Dave

[dalbert02]

Just curious if there was anything new. Thanks.
-dave

[BarrelRoll]

http://www.procerusuav.com/productPricing.php
Gimbal Camera Setup
http://www.procerusuav.com/Documents/procerus_pricing.pdf
Costs $3000.

Any chance of DIYing a similar gimbal setup? :)

[Jack Crossfire]

Pretty significant price drops on there, considering many electronic components are up 20%. Would not be buying 1Hz GPS for UAV's.

[reedchristiansen]

I am not sold on higher rate GPS units. From what I can tell, 4 hz update is no better then fusing in some gyro data to a 1 hz gps and interpolating. We use 4 hz capable ublox, with updates at 1 to 2 hz. 4 hz has not shown itself to be any better for fixed wing.


Now, a heli is a different story.

Thoughts?


Pretty significant price drops on there, considering many electronic components are up 20%. Would not be buying 1Hz GPS for UAV's.

[Jack Crossfire]

4Hz is necessary for helis in moving air. adaptiveflight, rotomotion, neural robotics are all using 4Hz - 20Hz.