The new Swivl is a multipurpose robotic platform for iOS and Android devices plus DSLRs.
Select Press
TechCrunch: Control your cameras remotely with Swivl
Engadget: Two motion tracking docks with support for tablets and DSLR
Cool Hunting: "...even better suited to time lapse photography and landscape video capturing."
Venturebeat: ".. a powerful tool for use in a variety of recording applications.."
PetaPixel: ".. iOS and Android developers alike will take the Swivl and run.."
Vision
The new Swivl is a multipurpose motion and tracking platform for imaging, teleconferencing and more. No more single purpose devices for one use. The new Swivl works iPads, iPhones, DSLRs and Android devices. It has a smooth, highly adjustable pan and tilt motion system in one sleek form. It automatically follows you for self captured video. It can make your iPad your remote control for your DSLR. It enables engaging telepresence controls with another mobile equipped Swivl. This is a new era of moving images.
Uses
Telepresence. The new Swivl is a beautiful and inexpensive telepresence solution. You can use it at home or at work with mobile devices and services you use today. With our tracking controls, wireless microphone and built in speakers, you can enhance any existing video chat application like Skype or Facetime. Or with our upcoming video chat application, the new Swivl can be controlled remotely for two way interaction conversations.
Photography. For DSLR, the Swivl is a sophisticated motion controlled tripod head. It can only be compared to expensive solutions used by professional photographers for wild life and action shots. It also makes your iPad a wireless command and control center for all your still and video needs. With our Swivl DSLR control app you can set up multi-view shots with remote preview, frame the shot, adjust settings (ISO, exposure, etc) and fire the trigger. You can also use it for panorama or moving timelapse, or just to stabilize your camera for long exposure shots.
Presentation capture. The new Swivl is the ideal tool to capture lectures and presentations and broadcast them. You can turn any office or classroom into a connected workspace with great video and audio capture. Now that the Swivl supports iPad (or other tablets), you can use it to capture yourself or displaying the presentation as a teleprompter.
And more. The new Swivl is ideal for capturing everyday experiences, at home, work or school. Use it for event photography like weddings where the Swivl can serve as an additional cameraman. Or use it to have remote family join events when they can't come in person. The options are limitless. The new Swivl is portable and easy to bring with you anywhere.
Features
White and Silver editions. Both versions are designed to provide you with a variety of motion and control options for use with both mobile and cameras.
- Compatibility with iOS, Android and DSLR
- Remove-able cable interface for audio and camera data
- Bluetooth & WiFi control by mobile device
- Continuous 360 degree pan
- 20 degree tilt
- Rechargeable batteries and AC Adapter for 6+ hours of operation
- Charges your mobile device
- Mounting kit for iPad, DSLR and device of choice
Silver edition. The premium edition of Swivl includes subject following via the tracking remote, and an enhanced audio experience with a wireless mic and speakers.
- Automatically follows you wherever you go with tracking remote
- Remote control inputs
- Wireless mic and speakers compatible with FaceTime, Skype, Siri and more
App software. Both editions of Swivl will be supported by basic apps developed by Satarii at launch in addition to the SDK.
- iOS Video capture app
- iOS Video chat app
- iOS DSLR control app
- iOS SDK for developers
- Android SDK and equivalent apps will be available shortly after launch
Backer Rewards
Additional Backer Rewards. For those interested in more than just product, we've configured additional pledge levels. For developers, please read the section titled SDK for more information and consider supporting with our developer pledge. If you are interested in working with us to distribute the product, please select the Partner pledge option. We expect demand to outstrip supply at launch. So we recommend this option to establish priority early.
Complete Press List
TechCrunch: Control your cameras remotely with Swivl
Engadget: Swivl announces two motion tracking docks with support for tablets and DSLR
Forbes: "..this is an exciting project for photographers to keep their eyes on."
Cool Hunting: "...even better suited to time lapse photography and landscape video capturing."
Venturebeat: "..giving users a powerful tool for use in a variety of recording applications.."
PetaPixel: "This means iOS and Android developers alike will take the Swivl and run with it.."
PMA Newsline: "..this kind of computer-controlled motion can improve many types of demanding image capture."
Laptop: Two new Swivls for photogs and video-conferencing
CNET: "..makes being in your own videos even easier."
Slashgear: "..the company made some huge changes."
DSLR Film Noob: "...this could also be a low cost alternative to a fluid or gear head for your tripod.."
History
We started investigating this product space as early as 2009 and crowdfunded an early version of the Swivl in late 2010. At the time we were the first motion platform on the market, and one of the very first to crowdfund a product with technical complexity successfully. We launched the first commercial version at the beginning of 2012. The product has won awards at CES (Last Gadget Standing, Laptop Magazine as well as VideoMaker's Best of CES) and been featured on TV and major publications. Our customers love the Swivl, but since launch we kept getting questions about supporting tablets and DSLR's. Soon the feedback was too strong to ignore and we got to work on the new Swivl.
Specs
- USB interface provided control of DSLR and charging of mobile devices
- 3.5mm audio jack provided for connecting wireless audio to any device
- Supports DSLR weight up to 8lbs
- PTP interface for DSLR control
- Live preview works with Live View compatible cameras
- Video chat app is built on OpenTok (currently evaluating multiple options)
- Variable Pan speed from 0.5 deg/s up to 45 deg/s
- Pan increment of motion of 0.25 deg
- Variable tilt speed from 0.5 deg/s up to 10 deg/s
- Tilt increment of motion of 0.25 deg
- Can support Windows OS and other operating systems
SDK
We're developing basic iOS App utilities for using the Swivl. This means at launch you will get a complete solution. However, we know that there are lots of applications for the Swivl that we either can't develop, or can't imagine. So we are making our SDK publically available for all developers. The best part? You can get a preliminary version of our iOS version within 30 days of the campaign closure and start developing. It's already done. And if you sign up as a developer, you get one of the original Swivl's to work with until the new Swivl is available. We will also come out with an Android SDK when the launch of the new Swivl is close. We can't wait to see what you come up with!
Why Kickstart Now?
Developing technology products like the Swivl is a 9 month, highly intensive effort. It's an effort you don't want to undertake unless your design and specifications are locked. We've done the first 3 months of development on the new Swivl. What we're showing off is our first models that represent form and function of the device. They are not perfect, but they are really cool and really promising!
We're debuting it now, because we need more than just the financial support to get this done. We also need feedback. Did we nail the specs? Still a feature you want to see added? Help us by getting it right by giving us feedback.
Upon completion of the campaign, it will take us 6 months to deliver product. Immediately after the campaign we will be finalizing the design. Then we'll be releasing for tooling, verification and pre-production builds. All of these are gated by our stringent requirements so that we can insure the end product is of the highest quality. There are risks and challenges, and we encourage you to read the section below on the subject.
Wrap up
With your feedback and support, we can make the new Swivl a reality. We are excited to share what we've developed to date, and to work together to launch this product.
Thanks for your consideration,
The Swivl Team (Brian, Vlad, Mark, Mikhail and our development partners Studio Backs, Duff Research, OTL Media, Zach Radding Designs)
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
We've done crowdfunding successfully. Crowdfunding raises the stakes on product development. We've done this under the microscope of the public eye that crowdfunding brings and delivered.
Creating the new Swivl isn't remotely like creating a watchband or a phone case. There are over 400 parts in the original Swivl. Each part needs to be designed, specified, sourced, built and tested to make a product like this work. This is a massive technical and logistical challenge.
There is no silver bullet that makes this easy. You need capable, experienced resources and a strong development methodology. Brian, one of Satarii's founders, has lectured at Stanford University about good design methodology. In essence, it boils down to planning for iteration. You need to build, test and iterate on your design enough times to resolve the inevitable issues. You need to expect that your sensor will not meet spec, your chipsets won't be available or that there will be more friction in your drive mechanism than planned and through iteration eliminate those problems.
What is the worst case scenario? A modest delay. Some issues surprise even the most experienced developer and you need to insert another 2 week to 2 month iteration to resolve it. This is why Apple doesn't announce its products until its 2 weeks away from shipment. They have issues too and they don't want to reveal this to the public. But this method is not appropriate for crowdfunding. Crowdfunding requires transparency and involvement with backers. And we're signed up for regular, transparent communication throughout the process.
Kickstarter's new guidelines improve crowdfunding. It separates the pretenders from those that can deliver. Everything we've shown in our video and campaign materials is working. We have a great team with a proven record of delivering products. We are going to do everything in our power to deliver the new Swivl to supporters on time and as outlined.
Apple, iPad iPhone and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., no endorsement implied.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
1,030
Backers
$157,782
pledged of $120,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Dec 11, 2012 -
Jan 15, 2013
(35 days)
- First created · 3 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: newswivl.com
Pledge $25 or more
15 backers
Show Your Support: Get a Swivl T-Shirt and your name listed on the new Swivl website as a supporter.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Add $10 to ship outside the USPledge $99 or more
200 backers Limited (2 of 202 left)
Early Adopter White Edition: Get one new Swivl White Edition at the special early adopter price of $99 ($149 MSRP). Comes with iPad, DSLR and mounting accessory of choice.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Add $25 to ship outside the USPledge $125 or more
12 backers All gone!
White Edition: Get one new Swivl White Edition at the special Kickstarter price of $125 ($149 MSRP). Comes with iPad, DSLR and mounting accessory of choice.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Add $25 to ship outside the USPledge $125 or more
26 backers
White Edition + Carrying Case: Get one new Swivl White Edition at the special Kickstarter price of $125 ($149 MSRP). Comes with carrying case and mounting accessory for iPad, DSLR and additional device of choice.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Add $25 to ship outside the USPledge $149 or more
562 backers All gone!
Early Adopter Silver Edition: Get one new Swivl Silver Edition at the special early adopter price of $149 ($229 MSRP). Comes with iPad, DSLR and mounting accessory of choice.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Add $25 to ship outside the USPledge $175 or more
40 backers All gone!
Silver Edition: Get one new Swivl Silver Edition at the special Kickstarter price of $175 ($229 MSRP). Comes with mounting accessory for iPad, DSLR and device of choice.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Add $25 to ship outside the USPledge $175 or more
103 backers
Silver Edition + Carrying Case: Get one new Swivl Silver Edition at the special Kickstarter price of $175 ($229 MSRP). Comes with carrying case and mounting accessory for iPad, DSLR and additional device of choice.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Add $25 to ship outside the USPledge $250 or more
26 backers
Developer: Get one new Swivl Silver Edition plus one original Swivl Developer Kit and early access to our iOS SDK. Original Swivl Developer Kit and SDK will be provided by February 2013.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Add $40 to ship outside the USPledge $500 or more
10 backers Limited (40 of 50 left)
Partner: Get one new Swivl Silver Edition PLUS meet with Vlad and Brian at CES 2013 at our suite to talk business and see the prototypes (or video conference).
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
