Nikon’s New Camera Robot Is Bigger, Better, and Ready for Action
Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC), a British robotics company owned by Nikon, has announced Cinebot Max, the newest addition to the company’s Cinebot series of camera robots.
Slated for a showcase at the upcoming NAB 2024 event, Cinebot Max builds upon the existing Cinebot Mini’s capabilities with an increased payload, expanded reach, and an improved range of motion. The Cinebot Max can hold a camera kit weighing as much as 20 kilograms (44 pounds) and supports a camera height of up to 3.2 meters (10.5 feet). The Cinebot Max can reach as far as 1.75 meters (5.7 feet), providing cinematographers a diverse range of possible shots.
“As with all MRMC solutions, the Cinebot Max has been designed with simplicity in mind, offering filmmakers and content creators precise and smooth control over camera movements and fluid tracking shots. The Cinebot Max uses the same track as the Cinebot Mini, so it can be added as an additional robot for Cinebot Mini users who want to add more range of motion,” MRMC explains.
Cinebot Max incorporates the company’s Push Moco control, an interface that enables operators to manually keyframe specific camera movements in a motion control setup. With Push Moco, videographers have complete hands-on control over the movement of their camera, ensuring precise, fine-tuned adjustments and more creative flexibility.
“The Cinebot Max provides cinematographers, grips, and camera operators with a full arsenal of motion control capabilities and accommodates a wide range of cameras and existing grip equipment,” MRMC promises, adding that the Cinebot Max is built with independent, low-budget, and big-budget productions in mid. The Cinebot Max, like the CInebot Mini, can also be integrated into visual effects (VFX) and computer-generated imagery (CGI) pipelines, allowing for easy integration of real-world footage with digital effects.
“At MRMC we’re focused on enhancing the workflow and innovating the right toolkit for creative teams to achieve their on-set goals,” says Assaff Rawner, MRMC CEO. “The Cinebot Max complements our popular Cinebot Mini and this range strives to make Motion Control simpler and more accessible. Operators can achieve consistent, dynamic, and precise camera movements, enhancing the visual storytelling process.”
Cinebot Max will be featured in MRMC’s booth at NAB 2024, which begins in Las Vegas on April 13 and runs through April 17.
Image credits: Mark Robert Motion Control, a Nikon Group company.