I am thinking of making a Camera Dolley controlled by a small motor to move my camera along for time lapse photography (and maybe film if I get it smooth enough).

I was thinking of using a Arduino or a Pi to control a motor through an transistor switch.

I perceive the main problem to be getting the camera to move steadily and not jolt along the dolly. I know this is more of a mechanical question but is it best to drive straight from the motor to the plate moving the camera, or through a belt and the motor positioned at one end? Then how would I go about ramping a signal so it does not move at full speed straight away?

Any tips you could give me towards a successful project would be massively appreciated?

Thanks for your help

Mash

 

Then how would I go about ramping a signal so it does not move at full speed straight away?

Any typical servo drive has a ramp up and down control. The best is that has feedback from motor to drive.
Max.

 

I perceive the main problem to be getting the camera to move steadily and not jolt along the dolly

If you control the motor such that it is stopped when the snapshot is taken then it won't matter if the motion is smooth or not.