OBSBOT Tail Aims to Revolutionize the Way You Film Yourself

CES is filled with interesting devices that aim to change the way we do all kinds of things. For example, there’s a pair of shoes that allow us to move around in virtual reality.

One device that really impressed is the OBSBOT Tail. To put it simply, it’s a camera that will track and record you as you move around without needing a dedicated camera person. It looks like a promising piece of technology that could change the workflow of anyone who wants to record themselves doing anything that involves movement.

What Is the OBSBOT Tail?

Basically, OBSBOT Tail is a camera that you set down in a location and let it handle the heavy lifting of moving around and filming. One example that the company showed off was a skateboarder setting the camera down in the park and skating around. Once the Tail is bound to that person, the camera will move around and keep the subject centered in the shot.

The company also showed the camera in use for dance. While the dancer moved around the room performing an array of complicated moves, the camera stayed with them perfectly. While it doesn’t necessarily offer the same level of creativity as a human, for someone who needs to shoot themselves, it could be a real game-changer.

Of course, not everyone is a dancer or a skateboarder, but it’s still useful for simply walking around and talking to the camera, which is something quite a few YouTube personalities might want to take advantage of.

We actually had the chance to test out the OBSBOT Tail at CES this year, which is always nice for a device that’s about to start seeking funding on Kickstarter. Rather than some sort of hypothetical device, we actually got to test it out and see it in action.

Basically, you just stand in front of the camera and perform a gesture to tell it to lock onto you. From there, you can also perform another gesture to tell it to zoom in, and there’s even another one that’ll cause the camera to move slightly, creating a more dynamic shot.

In spite of it being an unfinished device, it picked up on my gestures quickly and followed me around even with the huge crowd of people walking between me and the camera on the busy show floor.

Because we were confined to the CES show floor, we couldn’t test it with any type of action shot, but from what we did see, it seems like an incredibly promising piece of technology.

OBSBOT Availablity

Currently, OBSBOT is getting ready to launch a Kickstarter on January 15, 2019. The company hasn’t yet revealed pricing information on the device, but it will have to be available once the crowdfunding campaign goes online.

Of course, not everyone needs a camera that moves around with you. Instead, you might just need a webcam, and these cheap ones will do the job.

About OBSBOT

Founded in 2016, OBSBOT focuses on Autonomous Imaging, driven by the mission to achieve "Imaging Freedom for All." We believe that at its core, imaging is about the pure freedom to capture and communicate. It should never be restricted by complex operations, steep learning curves, or expensive gear. Technology delivers its ultimate value when it remains invisible and serves people—and we are here to define the future of imaging experience through innovation.

By seamlessly integrating our three core technologies—AI algorithms, motion control, and optical synergy — we have built an end-to-end AI Autonomous Imaging system. Spanning everything from hardware capture and smart control platforms to content storage and sharing, this ecosystem drastically lowers the barrier to both professional creation and human connection. Today, backed by over 140 patents, our technology and user experience are trusted by creators in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide.

Moving forward, OBSBOT will continue to lead the autonomous imaging industry, empowering everyone to create effortlessly, express themselves freely, and achieve true Imaging Freedom for All.