A Camera Stabilization Gimbal System for A Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Remote industrial installations and other areas requiring surveillance can be monitored effectively by
an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). UAVs are remotely operated, with on-board camera systems.
Fixed camera systems are of limited use, because the field of view is limited to the direction in which
the aircraft is flying, which continually changes as the aircraft moves while flying. A gimbal system
can reduce this effect by compensating for changes in aircraft orientation, which fixes the direction of
the camera. Most stabilizing gimbal systems are designed for payloads on human-piloted aircraft, and
for fairly large cameras The objective of this project is to design and develop a compensating pan-tilt
gimbal system for a small UAV. The unit will carry a camera that can be pointed with an
electromechanically actuated articulation system, allowing the camera to track a designated azimuth
and elevation during flight manoeuvres.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michael Lipsett

Student:

Partner:

ING Robotic Aviation (Sherbrooke, QC)

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Alberta

Program: