
GoPro Labs is the best way for GoPro enthusiasts to try out features you simply can't get straight out of the box. In fact, since it launched in 2020, it's become our go-to beta program for superusers to access and test experimental, beyond-stock features. Using QR codes and special camera firmware, GoPro Labs makes it possible to unlock new functionality and send custom commands to GoPro cameras.
To access the GoPro Labs experience, you must manually install the (free) GoPro Labs firmware onto your camera. From there, you'll have the ability to tap into GoPro Labs and use and create QR codes to control your camera.
The most common applications for Labs QR codes are setting up cameras traps to record wildlife and pets in their natural habitat, automated sunrise and sunset time lapses or a dash cam mode that records only when a car, motorcycle or bike gets in motion.
This month, GoPro Labs rolled out the biggest update ever to the program to add fully scriptable automation by way of:
Customizable camera triggers that leverage time, location, distance traveled (GPS), altitude, scene motion, camera motion, sound level, button status, USB power, battery level, gyro, accelerometer and remote-in-range information to control your camera
Unique programming language that allowsusers to design QR codes with designated camera settings and triggers and share these easily with the broader GoPro Labs community
It is important to note that while camera triggers via QR codes were available on Labs previously, this new iteration has taken the technology to a new level. Instead of just starting or stopping capture, this can be combined with triggering a new setting or mode.
For example, imagine you want to do a TimeWarp and have it switch to Real Time whenever someone is speaking to camera, here the trigger is to change the TimeWarp recording Real Time every time the sound level is above a certain decibel. Then, when the audio levels drop, the camera automatically reverts to recording TimeWarp. This along with registering elevation, location, speed and other data collected from sensors are all examples of triggers that tell the GoPro to do something.
In other words, all the above now enables GoPro Labs users to play the role of trigger and action creator, or if this, then that, and share these new innovations to the larger GoPro Labs community directly, explains Director of GoPro Labs David Newman.
The previous [GoPro Labs] triggers were limited. You can now combine triggers and use them to start actions beyond just video capture, Newman explains. For instance, you can now start an action with motion detection and end with an altitude threshold or start a livestream or switch TimeWarp to real-time mode based on distance traveled, or an upload simply by dictating the custom trigger.'
This, plus all existing GoPro Labs technology, is also now supported on HERO11 Black and HERO11 Black Mini.
The Force Behind the Firmware
What started as access to using and creating QR codes that control GoPro camera settings has grown quickly to a dedicated contingent of beta users active on GoPro Labs forums, where they make requests, chat about features they'd like to see and share expert insights.
GoPro Labs has long since been about granting more power to our advanced and experimenting users, David says. Sometimes this is about enhanced image controls quality or longer time lapse capture-two popular use cases. And now, Labs enhanced capture triggers, like motion detection and sound level, starting a capture remotely then a desired threshold is met.
The latest installment of GoPro Labs speaks to its immense success over the past three years. With an ever-growing contingent of community members who want more innovative features, GoPro Labs has quickly become the go-to place for seeing all that GoPro cameras can do. And it's safe to say the latest GoPro Labs release is going to pave the way for unbelievable features and creations.
GoPro Labs is now supported across HERO11 Black and Mini, HERO10 Black, HERO9 Black, MAX, HERO8 Black and HERO7 Black. You can learn more about the GoPro Labs and how to install the firmware here.
More from GoPro
25/09/2023
To celebrate Word Gorilla Day 2023, we're sharing the story of two very special gorillas-Angela, a western lowland gorilla born at the Los Angeles Zoo-and L...
06/09/2023
The week of July 15, 2023 marked the 10th anniversary of Latino Conservation Wee...
06/09/2023
Recently, a group of SoCal female surfers set out on an epic weekend road trip to score some of the local, iconic breaks in the area. They took GoPro along to c...
06/09/2023
We're pumped to have HERO12 Black out in the wild, and we can't wait to see what you create with the latest flagship! Our most recent Million Dollar Cha...
06/09/2023
Quik desktop brings the speed and convenience of the Quik mobile app to desktop users, but with an expanded list of features and capabilities that take advantag...
06/09/2023
The $399 Flagship Camera Features Up to 2x Longer Runtimes, 5.3K and 4K HDR Video, Wireless Audio Support for Apple AirPods Other Bluetooth Devices, Plus Pow...
05/09/2023
We're smack dab in the middle of summer, which means it's family vacatio...
31/08/2023
We are excited to announce that, as of today, GoPro is the official action camera of MotoGP .
The new multi-year contract sees GoPro returning as the official ...
25/08/2023
You might think swimming with a camera is complicated, but GoPro loves thinking outside the box and making things simple!
Whether youre a long-distance swimmer...
25/08/2023
With its high-resolution video, waterproof construction, built-in image stabilization, compact size and low cost compared to the majority of DSLR cameras, GoPro...
21/08/2023
Recently, a group of SoCal female surfers set out on an epic weekend road trip to score some of the local, iconic breaks in the area. They took GoPro along to c...
11/08/2023
The devastating wildfires that swept across Maui over the last 48-plus hours have left countless families, victims and first responders in desperate need of aid...
08/08/2023
We are stoked to announce that, as of today, GoPro is the official action camera partner of Formula DRIFT.
Currently, the latest GoPro cameras, including HERO1...
01/08/2023
Family Portraits is an employee spotlight series, highlighting the incredible people at GoPro around the globe. In this series, you'll meet employees workin...
01/08/2023
Unleash your inner HERO with your Garmin by participating in August's GoPro Badge Challenge. Throughout the month of August, your goal is to complete 11 act...
27/07/2023
Each year the world tunes into Shark Week-highly anticipated programming dedicated to the science and conservation of one of the ocean's most misunderstood ...
25/07/2023
Were excited to announce the next step in our Corporate Social Responsibility jo...
20/07/2023
GoPro surf athlete Lakey Peterson put on an incredible showing at the 2023 Corona Open J-Bay in South Africa this week, ultimately earning her a well-deserved f...
17/07/2023
Whether you board, bike, hike, drive, ride, ski, skydive, surf, skate, run-or all the above-you need a sports camera that can keep up. And even more importantly...
01/07/2023
Namibia is well-known in the surf community for its legendary barrels, but there is a dedicated group of locals bringing attention to the regions marine life. O...
01/07/2023
From wakeboarding and waterskiing to high-speed boating, you need an action camera to capture all the fun that happens on the water, and GoPro has you covered!
...
27/06/2023
Did you know that GoPro has always been a front-runner in the skate industry? We brought an affordable video camera to skaters everywhere in the early 2000s, an...
15/06/2023
When Alistair Klinkenburg set out on his mission to explore the different ways people deal with their head noise-after suffering years of chronic mental health ...
08/06/2023
June is here and summer is in the air in Vail, Colo., and that can only mean one thing-the 2023 GoPro Mountain Games are upon us! We're back and taking over...
02/06/2023
Cool off this summer by fanning yourself with dollar bills from GoPro Awards! Beginning June 1, we're celebrating the season with a new GoPro Awards Challen...
20/05/2023
What is the Best GoPro Tripod?
When youre traveling around the world and having new experiences, you need a tripod that can hold up wherever the journey takes ...
20/05/2023
What's the size of a soccer ball, swims quite fast and is more elusive than Big Foot? The Chirodectes macalatus Box jellyfish of course! Captured on GoPro...
16/05/2023
Last month, we joined forces with Travel Alaska to create the ultimate Alaskan bucket list adventure, bringing travel aficionados and creators from across North...
16/05/2023
What is the Best Travel Camera?
Whether youre a backpacker looking for adventure or a suitcase-toting city traveler, your camera is a must-pack travel essentia...
16/05/2023
How to Use Your GoPro as a Helmet Camera
Whether you're mountain biking, cycling cross country, cruising on your motorcycle, skiing down a mountain, flying...
10/05/2023
Just in time for your summer adventures, were restoring our camera lineup to lower, pre-pandemic prices. Effective worldwide today at GoPro retailers and on GoP...
26/04/2023
We at GoPro are thrilled and honored to have HERO11 Black be awarded a 2023 Edison Award. The latest flagship camera took home the Bronze in the Personal Techno...
25/04/2023
On Earth Day, we're honoring our home planet in the best way GoPro knows how-a video.
We invite you to sit back, crank your sound up and take a few moments...
25/04/2023
The following words and images are by Imaging Solutions Technical Program Manage...
19/04/2023
In recognition of Earth Month, were catching up with Sustainable Surf-a nonprofi...
13/04/2023
When youre on the road, you need a backpack that keeps your belongings organized, secure and protected from the elements without holding you back. The best trav...
13/04/2023
The whole point of hiking is to enjoy the outdoors. That means unplugging from the noise of your smartphone, it means living in the present moment, and most of ...
13/04/2023
Waterfall drops with your kayak camera arent just thrilling, they are life-changing and, with a waterproof camera along for the ride, your friends get a look at...
13/04/2023
Whether its wheelie races, shredding the local track or sunset cruising that revs you up, adding a GoPro motorcycle camera will ensure that you can relive the m...
13/04/2023
From road biking to track cycling, mountain biking to BMX, theres never a dull moment when youre riding your trusty two-wheeler. Its capturing the excitement-in...
13/04/2023
What Is The Best GoPro Camera for Surfing?
Surfing is a solo art form. The ritual of getting up at dawn, throwing on a wetsuit and bracing the crisp ocean wate...
13/04/2023
Whether you're fly fishing, spinning or trolling or-when you reel in the Big One, it comes with a story to tell and an even better one to show. That's w...
13/04/2023
Whether you're a surfer, swimmer, snorkeler, Sea-Doo-er or just plain love water, getting awesome underwater video is the ultimate way to share your submers...
13/04/2023
Boating, beach days, pool parties, lake life, you name the fun-filled location and we've got a wonderful new hat for you to sport. We've teamed up with ...
11/04/2023
GoPro is teaming up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to bring a group of creators to Thailand to experience one of the worlds largest water festival...
10/04/2023
When Francis Zuber left his house in Bellingham, Wash., March 3 to ski his local mountain, Mt. Baker, it started out like any normal day trip. It was an easy ho...
04/04/2023
Happy Earth Month!
We're constantly in awe of the beauty that Mother Earth offers us every day and want to see this beauty through your lens, so we are ki...
04/04/2023
Legend has it that the GoPro media team created a disappearing pole mount at one point and coined it the narwal mount (inspired by a narwhale). For years Go...
30/03/2023
In celebration of Women's History Month, we're shining the spotlight on ...
30/03/2023
We're thrilled to announce that GoPro has landed on Newsweek's list of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America-for the second year in a row!
The awar...