Why AI Tracking Is Now the Most Important Feature in a Gimbal

All gimbals available today come with 3-axis mechanical stabilization. This is no longer a selling point; it's basic. There is a huge demand for gimbal stabilizers to produce content, and by 2027, AI capabilities are expected to be seen in 60 per cent of new gimbal releases, while the global gimbal stabilizer market is forecast to grow to $4.62 billion by 2030.

The only thing that has changed is the kinds of things creators are buying. More folks are opting for gimbals because of their tracking intelligence, as opposed to their motor specs. If you're buying one in 2026, that means stability is a prerequisite, and if the gimbal has an AI tracking feature, whether it's good or bad is the deciding factor.

What AI Tracking Actually Does (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

• AI tracking involves a vision sensor or software automatically identifying and tracking a subject, face, body or object in real time.
• The motors on the gimbal move the camera back and forth as per the camera's pan and tilt movements in order to keep that subject in the center of the video frame.
• For individual creators, there won't need to be a second person operating the camera.
• It automatically tracks runners, pets, vehicles, and athletes when moving subjects without requiring you to do anything—just step out and use it!
• It can pan between speakers and will automatically follow presenters during a broadcast when being streamed live.
• Without AI tracking, a gimbal stays stable, but it is not directed. The camera still requires a human operator to point at it

On-Device AI Tracking vs App-Based Tracking: The Critical Difference

App-based tracking (most competitors)

Most gimbals operate via software within a dedicated app, which is used on the phone. It uses the built-in camera of the phone to recognize what is in the frame and sends commands to the gimbal via Bluetooth. That architecture imposes genuine restrictions! It is a requirement to have this specific app running all the time; therefore, it does not track during TikTok LIVE, Instagram LIVE or FaceTime. 

Uses up battery power, as the tracking computation is done on an individual phone. The delay between a subject's movement and the corresponding movement of the gimbal is called latency, which is introduced by Bluetooth. Then if the app crashes or disconnects, tracking suspension begins in the middle of the shot, with none of the warning.

On-device AI tracking (Hohem approach)

Hohem, on the other hand, has taken a different road. Tracking runs are done using an AI vision sensor directly embedded into the gimbal hardware that senses and tracks subjects, without relying on the phone. When it comes to usability, that implies it works with any camera application, any live streaming system and any video call, as the phone is free to use whatever software you want. 

No phone battery drain, since the tracking is done on the gimbal's processor instead of the phone and no lag, since the vision sensor communicates directly with the motors on the same device. Will follow faces, bodies, pets, products, and more objects, and can start and stop with gestures.

What to Look For When Evaluating AI Tracking in a Gimbal

1. Where does the tracking computation run?

App-independent on-device tracking uses the tracking hardware on the gimbal and is more reliable, with lower latency and on-device tracking. App-based tracking, which relies on your phone's operating system, requires the use of an application, consumes more battery life and is unable to be used on all platforms.

2. What can the tracker follow?

Trackers meant for beginners only process face tracking. Mid-range models add body tracking as well as faces to their range. The advanced trackers track faces, bodies, pets and objects, as well as user-selected targets using a remote or a gesture.

3. Does tracking work across all apps?

When it comes to live streaming, video calls, and third-party recording apps, tracking only within a proprietary camera app comes up short when you need it the most. On-device tracking is the key, and what sets it apart from a feature that works in any scenario is its true app-independence.

4. How does the tracker recover from occlusion?

The more advanced trackers are based on predictive imagery that lets them know where the subject is going to go and allows them to continue tracking easily when the subject comes back on screen — instead of losing track completely.

5. What control interface does the tracker use?

Gesture control allows you to initiate tracking and recording from afar with a hand signal. This is a remote target selection option that allows you to select a specific target right on a remote screen. Both are much more practical to use in the field than having to manually select a target each time from the gimbal.

How Hohem's AI Tracking Compares

Hohem iSteady M7

The Hohem iSteady M7 runs on-device AI tracking through a 2MP vision sensor, so it tracks without any app dependency at all.

• Tracks faces, bodies, pets, products, and custom targets selected through the detachable remote
• Gesture control for hands-free start and stop
• Works across the native camera app, TikTok LIVE, Instagram, Zoom, FaceTime, and any third-party app
• Detachable touchscreen remote with a live feed: double-tap any subject on screen to track it

Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra

The Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra brings the same on-device approach into a more compact form factor.

• AI tracking with a detachable magnetic remote controller
• 360-degree RGB and CCT fill light for tracked subjects in low-light environments
• Compact form factor without giving up full tracking capability

Hohem iSteady V3

The Hohem iSteady V3 makes on-device AI tracking accessible at the most affordable price point in the lineup.

• A detachable remote for triggering and controlling tracking from a distance
• A practical entry point for creators who want to test AI tracking before a larger investment

The Future of AI in Gimbals: What to Expect Next

• Multi-subject tracking: Gimbals that are able to track two or more subjects and switch between them automatically
• The AI-powered motor control stabilizes the shots in real time depending on the type of shot, the walking or running motion or the pan/tilt-angular movement to stabilize precisely without manually changing the motor control setting.
• AI Tagging for integration with editing software: AI-tagged clips that automatically sort themselves by quality score, shot type and subject matter.
• Voice-controlled tracking: Start/stop tracking, switch to different subjects, change the focus on the spot (with voice commands)
• The brands that have been investing in on-device AI are laying the groundwork for all this. This level of intelligence can't be scaled using app-based tracking

See the difference on-device AI tracking makes. Explore Hohem's AI-powered gimbal lineup and find the right tracker for your content workflow on the iSteady M7 product page.