The Chinese smartphone manufacturer, Honor, has unveiled a unique concept smartphone called the "Robot Phone" that comes with a motorised camera which can be moved and track the subject while it records.
The smartphone, which has been presented as a concept device, has been designed with the capability of providing the features of a smartphone along with a camera that can be adjusted mechanically while recording videos or while on a video call.
From the information that has been presented, the device comes with a 4-degree-of-freedom (4DoF) stabiliser, which can be used for the rotation and tilting of the camera while it records videos. This mechanism has been designed as a gimbal camera that has been integrated into the phone.
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The concept reflects a broader push among smartphone companies to experiment with new hardware features as conventional smartphone design reaches maturity.
Camera designed to track users automatically
The most distinctive element of the device is its moving camera assembly. The stabilised unit can adjust its position automatically while filming, following a person’s movements and correcting framing in real time.
Such functionality could be particularly useful for content creators who frequently record videos without assistance. The system allows the phone to keep a subject centred in the frame while the person moves, reducing the need for external stabilisers or tripods.
Demonstrations showed the camera rotating and repositioning itself to maintain framing during recording. The mechanism also stabilises video footage by compensating for motion.
A concept aimed at content creators
While the technology drew attention for its unusual design, the device is still positioned primarily as a concept rather than a mainstream consumer product.
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Industry observers point out that the motorised camera may appeal mainly to vloggers, live streamers and content creators who require camera accessories that can be used hands-free. In the case of regular users, the advantages might be minimal compared to regular smartphones.
There are also some doubts regarding the device’s longevity and battery usage, especially with the inclusion of mechanical parts inside the phone. Honor plans to try it out in China before deciding whether it will be taken further for commercialisation.
