OpenSlider

A smartphone-controlled motorized camera slider combining software, electronics, and mechanical design.

Juho Torkkeli

Juho Torkkeli

7/21/2021 · 2 min read

Smartphone controlling a motorized camera slider with a custom app interface.

Overview & Background

As part of the final project for the ICT track at Kerttuli High School, I wanted to find a topic that would be both interesting and technically challenging. My goal was to showcase a wide range of skills, from app development to 3D modeling and electronics.

I’ve always wanted to own a camera slider that could be controlled via smartphone and repeat the same movement multiple times. This inspired me to create a wireless, phone-controlled device that integrates all of these aspects. The project allowed me to combine my technical knowledge with my interest in hardware and design.

Issue addressed: Commercial camera sliders are often expensive or lack smartphone functionality. This project provides an affordable, customizable alternative with app control and repeatable motion.

Development Process

The app was built using Flutter, a familiar and efficient framework for cross-platform development. The hardware was based on Arduino, which I had prior experience with. For communication between the phone and the device, Bluetooth was chosen due to its suitability and the availability of good Flutter packages.

Designing the electronics required multiple iterations to achieve reliable performance. The mechanical frame also went through several versions to ensure it was both compact and sturdy. A key mechanical challenge was designing a dual-slider mechanism that effectively doubles the available travel distance, which introduced several engineering problems that had to be solved.

Outcome

The result is a functional motorized camera slider controllable via a mobile app. The app allows users to set keyframes and control camera movement between them. It also supports starting video recording directly from the app.

📹 Check out the demo video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WivTRj7ZvpQ

Next Steps / Future Improvements

  • Add support for timelapse photography
  • Improve UI/UX of the mobile app

Technologies & Tools

  • Dart / Flutter
  • Fusion 360 (3D modeling)
  • EasyEDA (PCB design)
  • PrusaSlicer (3D printing)
  • Arduino (Microcontroller)