gimbals

A gimbal is a pivoted support that allows an object mounted on it to rotate freely about one or more axes. In modern stabilization systems, gimbals are used to keep cameras, sensors, or other equipment oriented in a stable direction regardless of user or platform motion. The most common form is a three-axis gimbal that stabilizes around pitch, roll, and yaw.

Historically, gimbals originated as mechanical devices for navigation instruments, using concentric rings to isolate an instrument from motion. In film and photography, electronic, motorized gimbals became widespread in the 21st century, enabling handheld or mounted platforms to automatically counteract unintended movement.

Most contemporary gimbals employ a sensor suite, typically an inertial measurement unit (IMU) comprising gyroscopes and accelerometers, to measure motion. A control algorithm—often a PID controller with sensor fusion—computes motor commands for brushless DC motors to rotate the gimbal axes in the opposite direction, keeping the payload steady. To avoid orientation singularities, many systems use quaternions or other representations rather than relying solely on Euler angles.

Gimbals come in various configurations. Three-axis gimbals support pan (yaw), tilt (pitch), and roll stabilization, common for cameras. Two-axis versions stabilize two degrees of freedom and are smaller or lighter, suitable for smartphones or action cameras. Gimbals are used on handheld rigs, drones, and vehicle mounts, and can be designed to balance payloads ranging from smartphones to professional cinema cameras.

Practical considerations include payload capacity, weight, battery life, motor noise, lag or jitter, and calibration needs. Proper balance and vibration isolation improve performance, while software updates can extend capabilities such as smart following, horizon leveling, or object tracking.