Camera Control / Stabilisation with x-IMU

This open source project demonstrates how the x-IMU can be used to control and stabilise a 3 DOF camera mount for either control via tracking or stabilisation where the x-IMU is fixed to the camera mount base.. The camera mount is built using parts from ServoCity and the R/C servos are powered and controlled via USB using a Pololu USB servo controller. The PC application created using the x-IMU API uses the orientation data received from the x-IMU in Euler angle form to set servo angles via the Pololu USB servo controller.
For more information and source code, see:
www.x-io.co.uk/camera-control-...

[@BrotherCreamy]

No need to reinvent the wheel. Passive damping (i.e. spring + hydraulic damper) will do just fine. For situations where you're trying to stabilise a slowly changing unpredictable input, this is great, but when your input is a constant high frequency drone, passive damping is king. I'd love to see something like this implemented with faster servos and a well-calibrated IMU as well as passive damping.

[@fernandohildebrand]

As always, awsome! Keep it coming.

[@ShutterbrokeScott]

So much awesome!!!! Well done

[@HobbyTerbang]

Damn! so fluid. i want one to fit onto my hexa :D

[@Roblawlor90]

this is so god damn epic!

[@RobertHollingworth]

Great work. Love it and would love to see how it could be scaled up to a heavier camera (around 12Kg or so). High frequency vibrations will always be a problem, but that will help hugely I reckon. In the high end film gimbals they often have two more axis within the first 3 that react even faster and work together to smooth out more frequencies. Would it work at all with stepper motors, or do they have to be servos on a closed loop?

[@BrotherCreamy]

Well done, by the way...

[@electroboy7422]

fantastic

[@4NDR3SV]

Nice project, I have a question, Do you use independent PID control for each servo.?

[@JAAKLAB]

great work!!!! did you make all the system or did you buy some plug and play devices? how about the costs? would this stuff work on standalone? i 'm actualy working on this kind of stuff (u can see it in my videos) to stabilize some cameras thanks

[@dextersxxxxlab]

looks good. only one question. why is the system so slow? you turn the base and 1 second later the camera starts to turn. i think this will be far to slow when you use it to film from the air. if you try to make some moves while filming the same spot. but beside that. i love this thing. i want to make myself something like that to use on a crawler trailer. so it can film the trailing car offroad and keep the picture steady. good job

[@jappietoutou]

Hi, how is your software upgrade going along concerning the standalone controller for the camera gimbal ? would it be possible to introduce a joystick instead of the pc to control the servos ? I looking around for a AHRS to build a turret and install it on my plane. JP

[@luvrboi17]

what kinds of platforms can be used with it? just small ones?

[@arturo7614]

Congratulations very good job! The consignment to Mexico? Greetings and Congratulations!

[@Galabak]

Hi. I have a ptz camera. Is it possible to use adruino to make a gyro stabilizes camera in 2 Axis pan and tilt?

[@rif42]

@SebMadgwickResearch Thanks.

Parabéns pelo projeto, qual o valor para montar um desses ? e me enviar aqui no Brasil? Obrigado. Congratulations on the project, what value to put together one of these? and send me here in Brazil? Thank you.

[@ezmeerkicap]

Have you ever tried this system with a Stabilizer to eliminate the vibration in the image to make it look smoother? Like Glidecam or Steadicam rig? May I know how much everything cost you? Thanks and it is really great invention you have here to be honest.

[@rif42]

If you use this for filming, I presume there would still be vibration in the image even from small moves, right?

[@SEThatered]

@SebMadgwickResearch Military drones have 4 different methods to stabilise the camera on a quad/heli drones. Those are: vibration dampening materials, gyro/accelerometer/magnetometer stabilisation, "floating lens assembly" aka steadycam, and finally software compensation. It costs a tonne load of money and it is still not perfect... So don't feel bad.

[@ThisIsThe123]

what will happen if you drop the device that you are holding in your arm?

[@MohamedFazilsulaiman]

are u using bluetooth to transmit the data.

[@kushwaharakesh1990]

hey bro which device is that

[@44Magnumproductions1]

in a bench test this works fine but the problem is when you attach it to any Heli the vibrations will pass straight through to the camera. someone needs to develop a better way to dampen Vibes that would get me excited. but nice system.

[@bbalzak5275]

There are a lot of alternatives of IMU´s which are more accurate and reliable.

[@Hudmyq]

Hi, the information and source code are no longer avaliable. Can you please upload a new one ?

[@mrjoelelmore]

your pid loops need some tuning

[@nadafdigitalstudioboroti6793]

Sir I have this technology

[@tHaH4x0r]

Why use servos? They are way to slow for these kinds of applications...

[@luc_not_lucky1413]

+tHaH4x0r because in 2011, brushless motors were'nt yet ready ( or just a litlle bit) for this kind of application. Please excuse my poor english

[@tHaH4x0r]

+ThisIsUCKLY What are you talking about? Brushless motors have been around for forever... Also, a DC motor with feedback would do this job quicker...

[@rodstartube]

+tHaH4x0r I see you are noob. In 2011 small and light brushless motors designed for this applications were not available as nowadays. Brushless motors have always existed but not as small and not as light as today. (Well, at least in the known open market)

[@tHaH4x0r]

I can see that you are the noob though, brushless motors have been widespread and around at least since the 1980s. To demonstrate my point, pick any CD drive (also pre 2011, even pre 2000) and crack it open, you will most likely see a brushless motor in pretty much the exact form factor needed. The entire advantage of brushless motors is that they are more powerful than equivalent size/weight servos although more expensive and harder to drive. For this application speed is a must and in 2011 plenty of brushless motors were available for the task. IF the counter argument was 'because servos are easy to prototype with and easy to use' sure that is valid, but them not being available is bullshit.

[@rodstartube]

As I said, brushless motors have been always there, but those with the capabilities as weight (light), size (small), mechanical design & heavy coil winding (for direct drive & high torque) were not available in the market that matches for this type of application. Also electronics control wasn't as easy as now thanks to Arduino's Opensource boom, aswell as boards for 3 motors with 3 phase drivers motors boards as today. So cheap you can buy a fully working microcontroller board for less than a beer (arduino pro mini clone), or even a fully working brushless gimbal controller with IMU, with motor drivers included for the price of a lunch. Easy to criticize but first see the date of recording.

[@sonismit7192]

I would like to purchase this.. r u interested in selling this project?

[@piperman2010]

This is not a big deal....