Urban Transport

T3 Motion launches new version of its EV for use in the film industry

T3 Motion launches new version of its EV for use in the film industry
T3 Motion's new T3-MT electric standup vehicle is designed to accommodate camera operators using Steadicam or Glidecam systems
T3 Motion's new T3-MT electric standup vehicle is designed to accommodate camera operators using Steadicam or Glidecam systems
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The T3-41 trailer is pulled behind a regular T3 electric standup vehicle
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The T3-41 trailer is pulled behind a regular T3 electric standup vehicle
The T3-MT has a top speed of 12 mph (19 km/h), and can travel in reverse if needed
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The T3-MT has a top speed of 12 mph (19 km/h), and can travel in reverse if needed
The T3-MT features two mounting posts, for Steadicam or Glidecam systems
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The T3-MT features two mounting posts, for Steadicam or Glidecam systems
T3 Motion's new T3-MT electric standup vehicle is designed to accommodate camera operators using Steadicam or Glidecam systems
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T3 Motion's new T3-MT electric standup vehicle is designed to accommodate camera operators using Steadicam or Glidecam systems
The T3-41 trailer's chair can be rotated 360 degrees
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The T3-41 trailer's chair can be rotated 360 degrees
View gallery - 5 images

Big- and medium-budget film-makers looking for smooth tracking shots will soon have another alternative to laying down tracks for hand-pushed camera dollies. T3 Motion, the maker of the T3 electric standup vehicle, is launching a new version of its EV, designed specifically for use by cinematographers.

When it was first unveiled in 2006, the T3 was intended largely for use by police forces and security personnel, for quickly moving about within pedestrian environments. The T3 Non-Lethal Response Vehicle, a variation on the original model, followed in 2011. Among other things, the riot control-oriented vehicle features two compressed air-powered non-lethal ammo launchers. Last year also saw the launch of the T3 Power Sport, a consumer version of the base vehicle – so no, it doesn’t come equipped with launchers of any type.

The latest model, announced last week, is the T3-MT. It features a sideways-facing seat and footrests for the camera operator, along with two mounting posts for Steadicam or Glidecam systems. It also incorporates two 12 VDC (volts of direct current) batteries, for powering equipment such as lights, monitors or cameras.

The vehicle has a top forward speed of 12 mph (19 km/h), a range of 40 miles (64 km) per charge of its user-swappable battery pack, and can travel in reverse if needed.

The T3-41 trailer is pulled behind a regular T3 electric standup vehicle
The T3-41 trailer is pulled behind a regular T3 electric standup vehicle

Also announced was the T3-41 trailer, which can be pulled behind a regular T3. It features the same two mounting posts, along with a backrest- and seatbelt-equipped camera operator’s chair, which can be rotated 360 degrees.

The T3-MT and the T3-41 can be seen in action – albeit briefly – in the videos below.

Source: T3 Motion

View gallery - 5 images
3 comments
3 comments
The Hoff
What a joke! Those little wheels on that surface and the acceleration wasn't smooth and the camera was shaking. It might be good if you shooting an earthquake movie. There's a good reason we use those tracks and hand push it, complete control.
Gene Jordan
I'd like to see the video captured by the camera before I pass judgement. Those very short videos hardly give it credit though. The camera operator doing the filming of the above videos wasn't even attempting to hold what appears to be a cell phone camera still while he or she recorded with it. Plus, the cameraman featured in the video didn't appear to be trying to steady his shot at all. It doesn't look like much. I think I could do just as good with a modified old wheelchair and a couple of beefy guys to push/pull it. Plus, the article didn't say anything about noise coming from engine of the T3-MT. That's another reason tracks and carts get used. They are usually completely free of noise.
Jim Sadler
It looks like an electric Vespa remake. Might work well for grocery runs.