My Research announced the release of a new model, Ecilop Eco. The main innovation of the project is the use of theRoControl technology for camera stabilization.
As part of the RoControl project, My Research is seeking technical solutions for controlling the rotation and stabilization of the video camera not connected to an unstable base. This means that the connection between the camera mount and the multicopter frame is limited by friction in ball bearings only. By now, several models of such devices have been tested with positive results from using a gyrodine and air engines.
Ecilop Eco is the seventh model of the Ecilop series. Prior to releasing a new model, the company runs various experiments and most experimental drones remain on the prototype stage. This is a regular practice of innovative companies developing new products instead of copying similar solutions. Commercial samples of Ecilop Eco will be demonstrated in June 2013. At the moment, Ecilop-5 and Ecilop-6 models utilizing the RoControl technology are also presented for the first time.
Preliminary specs of Ecilop Eco:
- Full flight weight: under 1 kg
- Camera stabilization: RoControl with an air engine
- Camera type: miniature - for instance, GoPro.
- Kit price: under 100 dollars.
- Kit contents: parts for assembling the multicopter frame and the camera mount, license for using the RoControl technology.
In 2013, Aleksey Zaitsevsky, the creator of Ecilop Eco, was awarded the Best Inventor award from WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) for his invention, "Video camera controling and stabilizing device".
My Research is offering the Ecilop Eco drone under the following motto: " Easy assembly, safe flight, stable videos, cheap repairs ".
The fifth version of the Ecilop drone on Vimeo.
The sixth version of the Ecilop drone on Vimeo.
The highlights of Ecilop Eco:
1. Multicopter swaying does not affect the camera, since the camera rotates leaning against the air and not the multicopter frame.
2. Other camera gimbal types using the frame try to quickly stabilize the camera when tilting takes place, while Ecilop stabilization does that inertially.
3. The wood frame absorbs vibrations and does not pass them to the camera.
4. Correct arrangement of the structural elements ensures rigidity and lack of vibrations even without special dampers.
5. A lightweight wood frame will not cause a lot of damage in case of crash.
6. Small lightweight propellers cannot cause serious injuries.
7. If the drone falls from the height of several meters, the frame is likely to remain intact.
8. Quick repair of the wood construction is possible in field conditions using super glue.
9. The frame of the drone can be spray-painted into any color.
10. The camera gimbal is attached with a single screw, so you can make test flights without a camera.
11. Two people can simultaneously control the drone to ensure professional shooting quality.
12. In the "heading hold" gyroscope mode, the camera will not tilt following an erroneous signal from accelerometers (the second operator can take care of smooth tilting).
13. Both optical and inertial horizon sensors can be used for automatic camera stabilization.
14. Drone elements never appear within the camera's FOV and do not appear in footage (without a fish-eye lens).
15. The compact drone can quickly maneuver and fly through narrow passages.
16. A lightweight drone does not need heavy and expensive batteries.
17. If you have ever made models from paper, plastic or wood, you will not have any problems assembling Ecilop Eco.
Replies
Wow, why are there no replies already to this concept?
The man is on the right track to the next evolution of camera stabilisation. Sure, you need a hole up the centre of the multirotor, but the idea of having a centre balanced vertical rod which gimbals at the hub of the multicopter is something that I had considered previously to seeing these designs. The problem with existing designs is that they force the gimbal to swing in an arc which matches the angle of the multicopter tilt, which shows up as a lateral left/right/fore/aft movement in the video you are taking. Turning it into an always vertical rod with the camera slung on the end ensures that any movements of the camera are intended lateral/vertical movements.
The evolution of this should be the use of brushless gimbal motors and controller at the pivot point and perhaps the counterbalancing battery at the top of the rod should be dedicated to the gimbal motors / controller. If you need to remotely change the pitch, the camera can be mounted to a conventional servo driven mechanism. Balancing will be easier as well as you could find the balance point of the vertical rod with it disconnected from the gimbal.
Uh oh, I feel some hexacopter/gimbal inventing coming on....