How Does a High-Speed Camera Work?
From Hummingbirds to Crash Tests: The Magic of High-Speed Cameras
We all know the beauty of slow-motion videos — the athlete crossing the finish line in dramatic slow motion, the moment a ball deforms upon impact, or the mesmerizing flutter of a hummingbird’s wings. Watching high-speed events unfold in slow motion never fails to amaze us — and it’s all made possible by high-speed cameras.
Also known as slow-motion cameras, these systems have a long history rooted in humanity’s desire to make the unseen visible. Over time, they became essential tools in science and engineering, giving researchers profound insight into phenomena that occur too quickly for the human eye to perceive.
In the early days, high-speed cameras were bulky, 16 mm film-based devices — complex instruments typically confined to research laboratories. A major leap came with the rise of automotive safety testing, where dramatic crash test footage brought slow motion technology to a wider audience. The shift from film to digital high-speed video cameras made this technology even more accessible and versatile.
At AOS Technologies, we have been at the forefront of this evolution — pioneering developments such as battery-operated autonomous high-speed cameras and PC-streaming camera systems. AOS continues to push the boundaries of high-speed imaging, providing our users with the tools to solve challenging tasks, meet demanding requirements, and gain valuable insights into fast, complex processes.
And last but not least, AOS is recognized for its comprehensive after-sales support — we’re here to help you succeed.
Get to know us and see what AOS high-speed cameras can do for you!
Flight Cameras – Revolutionizing Airborne High-Speed Imaging
One area where high-speed cameras play a crucial role is store separation testing during aircraft test flights. These tests require not only precise timing to capture the exact moment of release, but also high reliability in both technical performance and software control.
AOS Technologies was among the first companies to introduce digital high-speed cameras capable of withstanding the harsh environments encountered in airborne applications. Mounted in non-climatized zones, often outside the aircraft, these cameras must endure extreme conditions — from tropical heat to temperatures below –30 °C — and continue to perform flawlessly.
In the early days of AOS, this challenge was met head-on. Around the turn of the millennium, working in collaboration with a leading aircraft manufacturer, AOS helped pioneer the transition from traditional 16 mm film cameras to digital, airworthy high-speed systems. This development involved rethinking key aspects such as size, weight, data management, and how to replace film-based systems with compact digital cameras without modifying the entire aircraft.
The result was the X-EM, AOS’s first airborne high-speed camera - ready to fly and capable of capturing stunning images and video sequences. Since then, the EM Series of AOS flight-test cameras has continued to evolve and is certified by independent test laboratories according to MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-764 standards.
Every time you watch a sequence captured by these cameras, you can sense the engineering excellence and system expertise that go into each design — proudly made by AOS Technologies.
Catch the Ball in Slow Motion
In Switzerland, the home of AOS Technologies, we take great pride in our apprenticeship program.
An apprenticeship is a form of education where students out of high school work within a company to gain hands-on training in a specific profession. This education combines theoretical learning, where students acquire skills in the classroom, with practical work under supervision within the company. After three to four years, students take both theoretical and practical exams to certify that they have mastered the essential skills.
From there, the world is open to them: they may continue their studies with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, enter the workforce and save money before pursuing advanced education, or continue developing their careers directly on the job.
Each year, many companies in Switzerland invite young students — often children of employees — to spend a day at the company, giving them a first glimpse of the working world.
At AOS, we are proud to participate in this “Future Day,” welcoming teenagers to spend a few hours at our company. This experience offers them a chance to explore potential future professions and sparks curiosity about what a career in high-tech engineering could look like.
Investing in apprenticeships today is an investment in the innovators of tomorrow.
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