The Obsbot Tail Air is, without a doubt, conceived to be the content creator’s best friend. Within the context of a narrative, it’s the “third person,” not part of the story, but essential to the telling of the tale. It’s built in AI and versatile streaming capabilities gives it a narrator’s discerning presence.

The technology incorporated into the Tail Air is sophisticated, but the nature of its basically two-fold purpose isn’t complex to grasp. On the one hand you have the AI technology used for tracking animate and inanimate objects, and on the other, its powerful streaming capabilities. It’s the latter, in my opinion, where its unequivocal power lies. Although the Tail Air’s AI tracking is impressively responsive and precise, it’s not unique; AI tracking is now found in many devices from security cameras to camera gimbals. Nor is AI tracking necessary or appropriate for every narrative. Used excessively, it can look gimmicky; it’s a tool for creative use, albeit, an effective one.

A quick overview of the Tail Air’s scope of features is 4k 30p and 1080p recording/streaming, manual and auto camera controls including ISO from 100-6400, up to 1/8000 ss, Auto or manual control of image settings, a 6-axis gyroscope with OIS, PTZ of course, a 2-axis gimbal motor, 3.5mm TRS Mic jack, and 2.4 and 5.0ghz wi-fi connectivity. It can stream via RTMP, RTSP and NDI. It’ll Output video via USB, wired network, HDMI or by recording directly to an installed SD card. It has a built-in battery or can be powered by a connected power bank or continuous pd charging block. Included with this kit is a dedicated remote with a number of features including joystick control of PTZ.

All of these features can be controlled through the use of a variety of interfaces. There are two apps, Obsbot Start for use with a mobile phone, and Obsbot Center for setting preferences, monitoring and controlling from a PC. The Remote Controller provides another interface for independently initiating and controlling AI tracking, manual tracking via the joystick, framing and start/stop of recording. And finally, there is direct human interface using a small vocabulary of four hand gestures to start/stop AI Tracking, start/stop recording, dynamic zoom and zoom to a default of 2x. Obsbots interface versatility allows every user to adopt it their own preferences and way of producing.

Either of the apps allow for full global control of the Tail Air including remarkably low latency monitoring, manual PTZ framing, all camera settings such as ISO, Manual/Auto preferences, WB, AI tracking speed, start/stop recording, media and streaming settings, etc. Osbot Center for PC also has a number of beautification settings that can be applied and monitored in real time. The mobile app allows for touch screen control of PTZ; touch, hold and drag to the desired view. The mobile app also has a feature I haven’t found in the PC app, Director grids, showing several views that can be selected when desired, including close-up crops of recognized faces, pre-selected positions, along with a live view of the currently set view.

The Smart Remote, once preferences are set in either of the apps, allows for basic remote control of PTZ via a nicely tactile and responsive joystick that is also a push button. The remote ca be used to redirect the Tail Air to a maximum of three preset positions, turning on/off human and animal tracking, and controlling up to three Tail Air cameras concurrently. The Tail Air can also be powered on/off with the remote, and of course recording/streaming can be started/stopped. Pushing down and holding the remote’s joystick will allow the Tail Air to follow the up/down, side to side movements of the hand holding the remote, for PTZ control. The remote incorporates a laser pointer for use in a presentation, or double-clicked, will direct the Tail Air to the location of the laser. On the side is a rocker switch for zooming in and out. You will need a means of monitoring the view when using the remote.

Between the Obsbot Tail Air and the associated apps, a large number of features are presented that are in essence, different means of accomplishing its two straightforward functions: isolating and following a target subject(s) and broadcasting or recording a narrative or event. You can select a human or inanimate subject by drawing a box around it on the mobile app screen, or by using the Smart Remote. You can frame and zoom with the Remote or by the use of Tail Air’s recognized gestures. The Tail Air can be powered on/off at its base, or via the apps or by the Remote. These are just some examples of the variety of ways the Tail Air’s features can be accessed and controlled. The user manuals for both the Tail Air and the Smart Remote along with the video tutorials on the Obsbot Youtube channel are highly recommended sources in order to take full advantage of the rich array of features incorporated into the Tail Air.

The Obsbot has a solid, sturdy feel with weight to it. There’s a bar light status indicator right below the camera lens to indicate whether tracking is active or inactive, or has lost track, and other indications; the various color and flashing state codes are delineated in the manual. The built-in batteries charge state is indicated by a vertical row of lights on the front of the Obsbot; the battery seems to last a little over two hours.

The eight element, 23mm wide angle lens with an aperture of f1.8 that sits in front of a 1/1.8-inch CMOS sensor produces sharp, crisp images in natural colors with plenty of detail. An infrared laser is built into the rim of the lens for ultra-fast, continuous auto focusing and accuracy. And the Tail Air incorporate a built-in microphone and a 3.5mm jack for an external one if preferred; the built-in mic is not bad in a pinch. As well, there is a micro-HDMI port for video output to a field monitor.

The 4k video quality of the Tail Air is startlingly good as are its AI tracking capabilities. Whether creating dynamic, third person content for the single user creator, or integrated into a multi-person production or event, the Tail Air’s professional quality streaming options make it a serious consideration for the experienced content creator and those producing live events.

The Obsbot Tail Air is delivered in stunning packaging, as is the Smart Remote. The Tail Air includes a compact, semi-hard storage/travel case, a USB-C male to double female and a USB-C to USB-A adapter. Both the Tail Air and the Smart Remote each include the heaviest duty USB-C charging cable I’ve come across.

There are a number of additional accessories available on the Obsbot website, including a set of ND filters, likely to be useful if you work outdoors or under very bright lighting. The use of ND filters allows for more control over ISO and shutter speeds in bright conditions.

In so far as my personal wants are concerned, it would be nice to have a “return to initial position” button on the remote, a capability found in the apps. There is a customizable button on the remote that I haven’t fiddled with yet, so it’s possible it can be programmed to perform that function. On the whole, the Obsbot Tail air is quite a little marvel.