Kinect 2.0 FPV Drone Mount – With Windows 11 Mini PC

FPV CineLifter Kinect Mount – Proof of Concept

This project is a proof of concept for mounting an Xbox One Kinect sensor onto a CineLifter FPV drone to experiment with motion tracking and real-time visuals. The mount was specifically designed for the RR FPV Camera Plate, so it is not a universal fit, and modifications may be required for other drone frames.

The focus of this project is on achieving a quality result at the lowest possible cost, rather than maximizing performance.

⚠ If higher-end performance is desired, options include:

• Azure Kinect, offering up to 4K resolution.
• Bumblebee depth cameras or other industrial-grade depth cameras, capable of ranges up to 20 meters, compared to the Kinect 2.0’s 3–5 meters.
• Z2i from Stereolabs, which I would consider testing if the budget allowed for high-quality depth capture.

Initially, the idea was to run Kinect Studio on a Raspberry Pi 4 with Windows 11 to record the data channels, but due to the lack of an NVIDIA GPU, the software could not run properly. The next practical solution was the GMK N97 mini-PC, which runs Windows 11 with an integrated GPU, is lightweight, and remains one of the most affordable options for this type of setup.

⚠ Note: Due to time constraints, the system was never connected to TouchDesigner for live experiments. This project serves as a starting point and proof of concept.

🧠 Versions

There are currently two versions of the mount:

1. Microphone-removed version – This version integrates the Kinect’s microphone array into the printed frame for a cleaner, more compact fit. During testing, it caused the Kinect to continuously reboot, likely due to damage to the flex cable or microphone board, and further work is needed to make this version fully reliable.
2. Non-disassembly version – This version keeps the microphones intact and works reliably. I secured it with zip ties, and although it functions without issues, additional development could improve the fit and stability.

⚠ Both versions are experimental and may require adjustments.

🛠 Required Components

• Kinect 2.0 for Xbox One.
• GMK N97 mini-PC (Windows 11 with integrated GPU, lightweight, affordable).
• 0.5 m USB 3.0 SuperSpeed cable (USB A to USB B).
• Custom adapter cable with XT30 or any power input, connecting 12 V 6A power to both the mini-PC and Kinect via:
  • 2.1 mm male barrel connector output (powers Kinect).
  • USB-C PCB (powers PC).
• 2.1 mm barrel connector (female) – soldered with cables to the Kinect motherboard.
• Three 1/4" screws with printed washers and threaded inserts – for embedding into the 3D-printed part.
• Three GoPro-style screws and nuts – to mount the Kinect base.

Additional printed accessories include:

• Spacer washer – allows screws to fully tighten if the threaded insert does not reach completely.
• USB-C cover – to house and protect the USB-C power cable.
• Front GoPro mount – enables simultaneous GoPro recording alongside the Kinect.

⚠ The threaded inserts used are identical to the ones used in the dummy of the Blackmagic Micro Studio from Straw Hat Aerial.

🖨 Printing & Assembly

• Material: I used PETG, but any filament with good mechanical properties such as ABS, ASA, PP is suitable.
• Walls: 5 loops.
• Infill: 25%.

Mounting the GMK N97 mini-PC

1. Remove the bottom cover by unscrewing the four screws.
2. Fit the mini-PC into the 3D-printed mount.
3. Secure it using the same screws in the printed part.

Modifying and Mounting the Kinect

1. Perform the USB-MOD on the Kinect:
   • Solder power positive to pin 10 and ground to the appropriate pin to power the Kinect externally with the 2.1 mm barrel plug.
   • Tutorial: USB-MOD Tutorial.
2. Replace the original Kinect casing with the 3D-printed mount.
3. Secure the Kinect using three standard GoPro-style mount screws and nuts.
4. Install the USB-C cover to protect the PCB.
5. Adjust the tilt angle as needed and secure the cables.

⚙ Workflow

Due to the GMK N97’s limited processing capacity, it is used only to record Kinect data during flight. The workflow is as follows:

1. Run Kinect Studio on the mini-PC.
2. Start recording at the beginning of the flight to generate a .xef file, and stop at the end of the flight.
3. Transfer the .xef file to a more powerful desktop or laptop.
4. Open the file in Kinect Studio on the secondary machine.
5. Connect Kinect Studio to TouchDesigner and play back the recorded data.

⚠ Important limitation: Depth generation is highly sensitive to movement. FPV drones are agile, so recordings should be low-speed, close-range, and with gentle maneuvers. This is a major hardware and flight limitation to consider when planning shots.

TouchDesigner interprets the replayed data as if the Kinect were live, enabling experimentation with motion capture, depth mapping, or generative effects.

⚡ Performance Recommendations

For a more professional workflow, consider using a more powerful mini-PC. Even with the GMK N97, performance can be improved by:

• Recording fewer data channels to reduce load.
• Changing the thermal paste for better cooling.
• Updating or modifying the BIOS to unlock full CPU potential.
  • Online guides exist for this, such as this Reddit post showing BIOS modifications and performance upgrades.

These steps can help achieve more stable performance without redesigning the mount.