The Gigapan robotic platform, a device developed by Carnegie Mellon University and the NASA Ames Intelligent Robot Group to automate the shooting of multi-image panoramas with a digital camera, is slated for release in March 2007 for under US$200 along with stitching software, says a story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

 

Details about purchasing the unit, as well as instructions for do-it-yourselfers to build their own, are expected to be published on the Gigapan website early next month. From looking at photos of a prototype as well as a computer-generated mockup of the finished product, it's not clear whether the Gigapan will be able to physically accommodate a digital SLR-size camera.

 

Example Gigapan panoramas are here; an audio clip from BBC's The World contains more information on how the device works.

 

The PanoMachine alternative

 

A similar device (though with more features) for use with digital SLR cameras is the PanoMachine. The product's inventor, Gildas Le Lostec, notes that a new version of the Panomachine that speeds the shooting of 360° photos is available now starting at €692:

 

Price of a PanoMachine V2.2 is 896 euros with spherical bracket. Price of a PanoMachine V2.2 is 692 euros without spherical bracket. (VAT not included). With the new V2.2 version, it is now possible to take a 360° panorama in 4 secondes with a Canon EOS 350D !   You can download the English userbook of this new version here : http://perso.orange.fr/panorama/PanoMachinev2-2a.pdf This new version will be described on my site in the next weeks. Orders can be put from now.

Revision History
• Added more detail about the PanoMachine (February 6, 2007)