An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a UAV body, and a stabilizing platform mounted on the UAV body and configured to stabilize a payload device. The stabilizing platform includes a frame assembly adapted to hold the payload device and a brushless motor coupled to the frame assembly. The brushless motor is configured to directly drive the frame assembly in response to one or more motor signals to allow the payload device to rotate around at least one of a pitch axis, a roll axis, or a yaw axis of the payload device. A brushless motor includes a rotor housing; a stator disposed within the rotor housing; and a linear Hall effect sensor. A posture of the payload device is controlled by adjusting a rotational angle of the brushless motor, and the rotational angle of the brushless motor is determined using the linear Hall effect sensor.