Design and development of a special heavy lift remote aerial video drone

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The use of UAVs (drones) is rising in many industrial sectors, and gaining rapid popularity in the world of cinematography. Thus, there is urgency to develop a reliable system for capturing very high quality images in resolutions exceeding high definition for theatrical film production. Four years ago, there was no company in Canada capable of providing reliable remote-controlled aerial video specifically for the film and television industry with cinema-grade cameras. Companies experimented with smaller cameras on UAVs, but the results were extremely shaky and not suitable for high-end narrative or film projects. Today, the market is becoming flooded with small lightweight systems targeted to the average consumer. Although these new systems helped the UAVs gain popularity, solutions for high-end cinematic work is still very much a niche market. SkyMotion Video is a trademark of the corporation Cine Panache ltée. Created in 2011 to develop technologies allowing the film and television industry to obtain stable, high-quality cinematic footage from a remote controlled UAV, the company has since operated UAVs for large productions in 17 countries, in extreme conditions from frigid Arctic winds to scorching deserts, humid rainforests to open seas. However, they have successfully operated UAVs carrying cinema-grade cameras, but not cinema-grade accessories. Due to weight restrictions, productions remain limited to light-weight still photography lenses instead of ultra-high-quality cinema lenses which often weigh more than the cameras. The system should accommodate remote follow-focus systems, and even allow for 3D rigs requiring two camera bodies to be flown. Through this proposal, SkyMotion Video and Sheridan College's Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies aim to develop a powerful, safe, reliable and agile drone platform able to accommodate an array of professional cinema-grade motion picture cameras and accessories, while providing completely shake- and vibration-free footage. This will give production crews unprecedented flexibility to choose the right cinematography tools for superior results.