The dolly comes from the startup Double Robotics, the team behind the telepresence robot that, equipped with a tablet, allows users to remotely attend a class or meeting, controlling the robot from afar. The 360 Camera Dolly actually just repurposes the telepresence robot, but with a new camera mount. An iPhone on the VR dolly allows the videographer to see where it is headed by streaming footage using 4G, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. The smartphone also connects the robot to an online platform that controls the dolly’s movement.
While the dolly will still be in the 360-degree shot, the smaller profile isn’t quite as intrusive as a person’s body when holding the camera. The dolly also appears to operate almost silently, so it won’t wreck the project’s audio:
The company says the 360 Camera Dolly is the first designed for virtual reality film crews. Built with aircraft-grade aluminum, the dolly can handle any camera up to five pounds using a standard tripod bolt mount.
Of course, still photographers could use the dolly for 360 images too. But with a price tag of $3,000, the dolly isn’t likely to replace a tripod anytime soon, at least not for still photos that don’t need the robot’s mobility.
That price doesn’t include the VR camera, iPhone for connectivity, or a second device to control the system using a web browser. Owners of Double Robotic’s telepresence robot can upgrade their bot with a $249 mount adapter. A custom Pelican travel case is included.
The Double Robotic’s Camera Dolly is expected to start shipping June 15.
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