20143D Steadicam forum
Autonomous subject tracking using computer vision for camera platforms like drones and gimbals
12 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Autonomous tracking systems can operate onboard cameras for faster and smoother subject following compared to GPS-based systems that introduce transmission delays
- Autonomous framing assistance was envisioned primarily as a tool to support camera operators in difficult scenarios such as aerial shots, awkward angles, or fast-moving subjects rather than replacing operator control
- GPS-based follow systems exhibit reactive tracking behavior due to transmission delays, whereas camera-based vision systems can process and respond to movement in real time
Depends on
- The developers acknowledged being hobbyists rather than professional cinematographers
- Professional film production traditionally relies on manual control of all aspects including movement and focus, which may limit adoption in that sector
- An earlier attempt at automated tracking using ultrasonic emitters in the 1990s failed to gain commercial traction despite positive reception