Earlier this year, Insta360 released its first AI-powered smartphone gimbal, packed with impressive features, including Deep Track 4.0, which offers advanced tracking capabilities. However, many of these advanced features were exclusive to iPhones, leaving a gap for Android users. Fortunately, Insta360 has addressed this with the release of its latest AI Tracker attachment for the highly popular Flow 2 Pro smartphone gimbal—an easy-to-use attachment that enables Android users to take full advantage of the gimbal’s advanced AI tracking algorithm.

When the Flow 2 Pro first launched, key features like multi-person tracking and active zoom tracking were unavailable to most Android users. Additionally, third-party app compatibility was very limited. This was largely due to Apple’s introduction of DockKit in 2023, which seamlessly integrated tracking capabilities into iPhones, allowing them to work effortlessly with motorized stands and mounts without requiring additional development. In contrast, the Android platform lacked a built-in tracking framework, meaning users could only access these features through the Insta360 native app, causing a major inconvenience for those who preferred filming with other applications.

The AI Tracker resolves this issue. With its built-in independent camera dedicated to subject tracking, Android users are no longer restricted to the native app, mirroring the experience that iPhone users have enjoyed with Apple DockKit. This clever workaround bypasses app restrictions, enabling seamless AI tracking across different apps and devices when using the Flow 2 Pro. Even iPhone users can benefit from this attachment, particularly when using apps that aren’t supported by DockKit.

With the AI Tracker, you can now access advanced tracking features and even record yourself using gesture controls in any camera app. This is possible because the AI Tracker communicates directly with the Flow 2 Pro, operating independently from the recording device. As a result, it ensures full compatibility across apps and smartphones, making the Flow 2 Pro truly “platform agnostic” and accessible to all users.

Build Quality

At first glance, the Insta360 AI Tracker looks almost identical to the original LED spotlight attachment. They both share the same dimensions and size, and each features a variable temperature LED spotlight. However, what sets the AI Tracker apart is the additional camera embedded in the front of the LED spotlight, along with an on/off button located on the right side of the unit. The entire module is lightweight, which makes sense to avoid stressing the rotating motor, yet it feels solidly built despite being made of plastic. Something about it feels well-built, and the buttons have just the right amount of tension, providing a satisfying click when pressed.

The tracking module features a USB-C connection, which is used for both power and connectivity with the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro. The inclusion of USB-C also enhances its versatility, as it allows for a reversible connection, adding to its practicality, especially when used alongside the built-in spotlight. Additionally, the tracking camera is slightly recessed, which helps prevent accidental scratches since no protective cover is provided. The front element of the tracking camera also appears to have some form of coating. While I can’t confirm if it’s a specialized coating designed to repel dust and moisture, fingerprint smudges can be wiped off quite easily.

Lastly, the AI Tracker fits perfectly into the designated slot of the hard carrying case included in the combo package, as it shares the same size as the original LED attachment.

Features

The Insta360 AI Tracker is designed as a simple, plug-and-play module that connects directly to the Flow 2 Pro via USB-C. Using its built-in camera, it enables advanced focus tracking and gesture control for the gimbal, bypassing platform restrictions and ensuring seamless operation regardless of the recording app or operating system. The AI Tracker utilizes Insta360’s advanced AI recognition algorithm, capable of continuous subject tracking—particularly face tracking—even when obstructions occur. It also supports multi-person tracking, as well as tracking for cats and dogs, similar to the native Insta360 app.

With gesture control, users can activate AI tracking and wirelessly start or stop recording using simple hand gestures. Additionally, the AI Tracker supports custom reframing, allowing users to fine-tune composition with the gimbal’s joystick. Once set, the AI Tracker intelligently maintains the chosen framing until disengaged.

The built-in LED spotlight further expands its functionality, featuring three adjustable color temperatures and brightness levels, ensuring versatility across different shooting conditions. From my testing, the brightest setting is effective for subjects up to 2 meters away.

Now, with the AI Tracker introducing advanced tracking and gesture control to any recording platform, it’s worth comparing how it stacks up against other tracking solutions like Apple DockKit and Deep Track 4.0 on the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro. While Apple DockKit offers seamless iPhone integration and Deep Track 4.0 provides powerful in-app tracking, the AI Tracker stands out by providing cross-platform compatibility and universal third-party app support. It also introduces gesture-activated tracking and a built-in spotlight, making it an all-in-one upgrade for users looking to expand their smartphone gimbal’s functionality beyond native app limitations.

Usage and Image Examples

While using the AI Tracker is fairly straightforward and does not require any settings adjustments, it is advisable to update both the Insta360 app and the Flow 2 Pro’s firmware to the latest version before using the AI Tracker for the first time to ensure maximum compatibility. Despite being a fairly lightweight attachment, Insta360 recommended that we mount the mobile phone first and then power on the Flow 2 Pro with the AI Tracker attached to ensure that calibration is not affected. If the AI Tracker is flashing a red light, it may indicate that it is not inserted properly. Simply reinsert it and make sure the buckles are properly hooked into the grooves on the gimbal. Be aware that once the attachment is connected, it can be a little awkward to fold your gimbal.

Tracking Performance

Let’s dive into the real-world experience. The AI Tracker operates independently, meaning it doesn’t communicate with the recording app. As a result, you can’t select a subject on-screen, as there’s no direct link between the attachment, gimbal, and recording software. While you can activate tracking by using the physical trigger button, there is no visual indication of what it’s locked onto, other than the green LED button above the tracking camera showing activated tracking. This could potentially be an issue in complex scenes where precise subject tracking is required. In a way, this makes it a double-edged sword.

Since tracking runs independently of software limitations, it works even when recording in Log mode, which is a notable advantage. However, in my experience, the tracker tends to prioritize the closest subject, particularly faces, regardless of framing or focus settings in third-party apps. This can be frustrating if selective subject tracking is essential.

At times, tracking can feel unpredictable and overly sensitive, with the gimbal frequently making micro-adjustments that subtly shift the framing. For optimal results, it’s best to keep zoom levels at 3x or lower, matching the angle of view of the tracking camera, which I noticed is pretty wide. Insta360 advises choosing uncluttered backgrounds and well-lit environments to ensure accurate subject recognition, but interestingly, my tests found that it could still track human subjects even in low-light, blue-hour conditions—though not objects.

Overall, I personally feel that the AI Tracker’s tracking capabilities aren’t quite as robust as Insta360’s native app, which handles multiple subjects better and maintains tracking even when zooming in. Besides, you could also easily select the subject to focus on using the native app interface.

Gesture Control

In my experience, the AI Tracker’s gesture recognition is noticeably faster and more responsive than Insta360’s native app. It offers two key gestures for hands-free operation:

• Palm Gesture: To start/stop tracking
• Peace Gesture: To start/stop video recording or take a photo

According to Insta360’s specs, adults should stay within 1.6 ft to 16.4 ft (0.5 m to 5 m) and children within 1.6 ft to 6.6 ft (0.5 m to 2 m) for optimal gesture recognition.

I also noticed that when using the AI Tracker on an iPhone, it takes priority over Apple’s DockKit algorithm, effectively overriding Apple’s built-in tracking system. This could be useful for those who are interested in using hand gesture controls while recording with non-native apps.

Versatility and Creative Use Cases

Since the AI Tracker connects via USB-C, which is reversible, it can be flipped to track forward or backward. This makes it highly versatile, especially for self-recording or filming a group of people in front.

This got me thinking out loud—here’s an interesting idea: if you flip the tracker to follow yourself while recording forward, you could effectively create “wireless panning movements” in your recordings by moving your body. This could open up new creative possibilities for dynamic shots, and it might be worth experimenting with. That being said, I shall leave this part to people who are better than me at this.

Summary

What I Liked

• The AI Tracker module is easy to use without messing with settings.
• It is very lightweight.
• Comes with a built-in LED light.
• Quite responsive to hand gestures.
• Solid feel.
• Reverse compatibility.
• Easy connection through USB-C without wires..

What Could Be Improved

• Improve on the tracking movements to smooth out the micro jitters.
• Adding a small screen to preview what is in focus and touch to select the focus subject.
• Improve on object tracking.
• Include a cover for the tracker module.
• It would be great to see this technology integrated directly into the gimbal rather than as an external attachment.
• Placing it in another place as it can be awkward to fold the gimbal off.

Closing Thoughts

Lastly, I would think of the Insta360 AI Tracker as a sensible solution to overcome inherent third-party app limitations, allowing content creators with Android devices to enjoy what iPhone users have been able to do with Apple DockKit integration for years. However, if you are an iPhone user, the benefits of this attachment may be minimal. It might just be easier to use Insta360’s app for gesture controls than to bring another module—unless you need the LED spotlight anyway.

For those who are interested, the Insta360 AI Tracker is available for purchase as a standalone accessory for $39.99 or as part of the Flow 2 Pro AI Tracker Bundle for $179.