GoPro’s new $230 AI gimbal offers 18-hour battery life and universal compatibility

GoPro has announced the Fluid Pro AI, a new $229.99 handheld camera stabilizer that works with action cameras, smartphones, and compact point-and-shoot cameras up to 400 grams. Unlike the company’s previous Karma Grip stabilizer from 2016, which only worked with GoPro devices, this versatile gimbal features AI-powered tracking and an 18-hour battery life, positioning it as a premium alternative to competitors like DJI and Insta360.

Key capabilities: The Fluid Pro AI offers comprehensive camera movement with 360-degree panning and 320-degree tilting capabilities.
• An integrated AI tracking module recognizes hand gestures for remote control and automatically keeps subjects in frame by locking onto faces or bodies.
• Users can manually select tracking targets through a connected mobile app, which also provides tools for capturing panoramic images and time-lapses.
• The gimbal includes swappable mounting brackets with clamping mechanisms to accommodate smartphones of various sizes.

Standout features: GoPro has prioritized battery performance and practical functionality over trendy additions.
• The device delivers up to 18 hours of use on a single charge, or six hours with AI tracking and LED light active—significantly outpacing Insta360’s and DJI’s 10-hour maximum with tracking disabled.
• A built-in LED fill light provides additional illumination for better video quality.
• Rather than including telescoping arms or pop-out tripod legs, GoPro focused on maximizing battery capacity.

Competitive positioning: At $229.99, the Fluid Pro AI commands a premium over established competitors when it launches October 21st.
• The pricing exceeds the $159.99 Insta360 Flow 2 Pro and $149 DJI Osmo Mobile 7 Pro.
• GoPro’s strategy appears to justify the higher cost through superior battery life and broader device compatibility beyond just smartphones.

Why this matters: This launch signals GoPro’s effort to expand beyond its action camera niche into the broader mobile content creation market, where longer battery life and universal compatibility could differentiate it from smartphone-focused competitors.