Broadcast Robotics

Broadcast Director Steve Boland Q&A: Trends in Automation & Robotics

Trends in Automation & Robotics


STEVE BOLAND, BROADCAST DIRECTOR @ MRMC, PROVIDES THE BENEFIT OF HIS EXPERIENCE, INSIGHT AND OPINION, DISCUSSING THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AND TRENDS IN AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS… AND WHAT TO EXPECT FROM MRMC AT IBC2017
Q: What are the key opportunities for your customers in the current market environment?
A: Steve Boland:
Choice! MRMC is about image acquisition for broadcast, film and media production and there has never been more choice for imaging tools as there are today. Designing sophisticated camera moves has largely been the domain of specialist solutions operating on high budget productions. Whether shooting for live or post produced applications, MRMC provide solutions for the broadest possible spectrum of imaging technologies.


Q: So what are the major technology drivers for the business going forward?
A: Steve Boland:
The media production industry is driven by highly skilled and dedicated people working as a collective whole. The synergy between the tasks and communication of the team is key to a successful production. Our technology drivers are measured by this synergy. If we are attempting to simplify or automate a task, is the solution as good or better than current methods?


Q: How will MRMC at IBC shed light on these developments?
A: Steve Boland:
IBC brings together a broad range of MRMC robotics, including High-Speed Solutions and versatile Multi-Axis Arms, to compact Pan and Tilt Systems. These systems can provide an extraordinary level of creative acquisition options and our focus is to show the simplicity of how these solutions can fit in a modern production environment.


Q: Why should delegates visit the MRMC stand at IBC?
A: Steve Boland:
To get ‘hands-on’ and have fun. MHC is our new control interface that brings a new level of simplicity and customisable ‘skins’ based on the user’s production environment. To date we have created skins for tennis, basketball, darts, studios and can design any number of skins based on the requirements of our customers. Our stand at IBC offers delegates the chance to play and explore robotics and MHC skins as extensions of their imaginations. Visitors can meet Bolt, the world’s fastest Cinebot rig and drive a StudioBot. New at IBC and can be seen on the MRMC stand is the Whisper Head PTZ and Robotic Pod.


Q: Do you think the IBC event has come at a good time for the electronic media industry? Why?
A: Steve Boland:
IBC is always a good annual evaluation platform for the industry. Whether it comes at a good or bad time is a matter of perspective. The level of exhibitors and visitors will continue to act as a barometer for the health of the industry.


Q: What do you think are the key developments in, or threats to the market sector at the current time?
A: Steve Boland:

From an image acquisition perspective, there is a new focus on operations that are formulaic and repetitive and those that require a greater level of creative input. As with many other industries, automation is key topic as the cost and efficiency benefits can be substantial. However, it is easy to envisage how problems can arise when the idea of automation is so compelling and the transition from a non-automated to an automated model is seen as a one-step process. From a robotics manufacturer’s business view the prospect of fully automated environments would appear as a persuasive driver. The reality is that we are in the business of facilitating compelling camera moves and whether that is following a football player for 90 minutes or capturing the impact of a bullet through a high-speed move, the result has to look natural and organic. Automation is not a one step process nor a term for shortcut cost savings, but thinking about a future creative industry where certain tasks will be automated, gives rise to transitional technologies that augment the best of human productivity.


Q: Why should delegates visit the MRMC stand at IBC?
A: Steve Boland:
Our mission at IBC is to showcase some of the transitional technologies that help facilitate a reduction in the timescale between the creative idea and the executed product. Simplifying controls for specific tasks is one of the key features of our new robotic software ‘MHC’. MHC allows the end-user to define the interface that is right for their application. This can be a tailored design for the unique task of a specific camera position and in a particular multi-camera environment. Through such fit-for-purpose user interfaces, the single task is elevated to a uniquely focussed task so the best possible tools are provided for that role. Delegates can explore these interfaces and bring their own ideas for camera positions to life via MHC.


VISIT US AT IBC SHOW: HALL 12, F11.
Location map: https://goo.gl/CCgxtt
For more information on MHC click here

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