The Evolution of Camera Robotics in Broadcast Production
Broadcasting has shifted dramatically, from early theatrical techniques to highly automated, remote and IP-driven production environments. As demands for rapid turnaround and richer storytelling grow, camera robotics used in broadcast productions have evolved and become increasingly essential in modern-day workflows. In this blog post, Andrew Codd, Senior Product Developer at Mark Roberts Motion Control, revisits the evolution of camera robotics in broadcast production and how MRMC utilises 60 years of motion-control heritage to design solutions that meet the demands of broadcast.
Broadcasting has shifted dramatically, from early theatrical techniques to highly automated, remote and IP-driven production environments. As demands for rapid turnaround and richer storytelling grow, camera robotics used in broadcast productions have evolved and become increasingly essential in modern-day workflows. In this blog post, Andrew Codd, Senior Product Developer at Mark Roberts Motion Control, revisits the evolution of camera robotics in broadcast production and how MRMC utilises 60 years of motion-control heritage to design solutions that meet the demands of broadcast.
How The Broadcasting Industry Came To Life
At the start of the 20th century, pioneers such as Charlie Chaplin delighted audiences with flawless visual effects and high-action antics. Effects were possible using celluloid layering and theatrical tricks that took the breath away – all on a massive screen. The movie industry grew quickly, and professional roles were defined. Sound and colour only intensified an already thrilling experience.
The invention of a camera able to stream an image into the home, line by line, was no less remarkable. People crowded around a tiny set to watch highly choreographed content, and they were hooked. In the early days, recording TV was impossible, and live telecasting – to a modern eye – was often stilted and slow at first. Nonetheless, the Broadcasting industry was born. A new team of professionals came together. Pioneers developed manual camera support systems for the incredibly heavy TV cameras, and others created workflows for mixing, recording and broadcasting. Industrialised production created affordable TV sets for the home. The Broadcast industry has matured.
At the same time, the industrial complex matured. A consumer society demanded higher-quality products at lower prices. Factory automation became the norm with computerised control. Mark Roberts began developing his own control systems for celluloid work and film production. Mark Roberts Film Services soon began working with film directors to create demanding, multi-pass, layered effects previously impossible to achieve. More moves became possible under computer control. The cinematic experience was improving in ways our pioneers in 1900 could only dream of.
Towards the 1990s, broadcast camera and lens combinations were developed with greater image clarity and light capture. Previously, TV cameras needed to collect enough light onto digital pixels, which is why broadcast productions required using large lenses and very strong lights. Enhancements over the years resulted in smaller lenses and lower light requirements, enabling more flexible Broadcast production. The film industry was already using small lenses, as celluloid has much better light sensitivity.
Adopting robotics in a TV studio was a very considered event, yet they faced the same demand for remote repeatability and automation. Operators were used to manual camera supports and the familiar smooth motion they provided. Robotics design simply couldn’t match existing standards, at least not while addressing other concerns, such as reliability and a need for absolute silence due to wide microphones and the lack of digital sound-control tools, which led to a continued preference for manual operation. As a result, the adoption of this new technology entering live production spaces was slow. This has completely changed.
The Rise Of Modern Day Broadcasting
As broadcast workflows continued to evolve, the rise of multiple-site broadcasting and 24-hour news formats sparked the need for studios built on infrastructure and automation that could enable remote production workflows. Lighting, sound, vision, and camera motion were linked to a common controller. In today’s fast-paced media landscape, broadcasters now face intense demands for fast turnarounds, multiplatform delivery and high‑quality, visually engaging content, all under the pressure of “doing more with less”.
These shifts match wider changes in broadcast technology. The acceleration of IP‑native workflows is driven by ageing infrastructure and the demand for future‑proof, software‑defined systems. The modern broadcast environment is evolving. It is becoming more dynamic, flexible, hybrid, and automated.
Modern broadcasts, from sports and news to entertainment and esports, increasingly use cinematic camera movement, LED volumes, virtual studios, and AR/XR environments managed primarily through advanced control systems. Digital-first audiences expect higher quality, whether watching on social media or on-demand platforms. This shift replicates the wider trend toward more immersive, high-fidelity viewing experiences supported by digital broadcasting and streaming.
Amid these rapid changes and emerging trends, MRMC entered the broadcast industry in 2014 from a unique place and, with a very different approach, built on the creative power that robotic arms, in particular, can unlock. By utilising our 60 years of motion-control heritage earned through pioneering robotics for high-end film and commercial productions, MRMC applied this deep engineering expertise to develop a multi-axis, arm-based solution purposely redesigned to meet the demands of broadcast. Further, this understanding of motion control technology has helped develop a complete range of robotics suitable for live production, enabling broadcasters to capture dynamic, repeatable shots underpinned by MRMC’s expertise in cinematic movement.
Furthermore, as LED volumes in traditional live broadcast studios become commonplace, MRMC is now addressing a more advanced production gap by adapting the design principles of its high-speed motion-control robotic arms for these new, dynamic broadcast workflows. MRMC’s extremely precise, multi-axis robotic arm solutions, as well as head, rails and lift columns, can enter LED volumes without damaging floors and natively sync with LED wall content to dynamically capture virtual environments in real time. This positions MRMC as one of the few players in the industry that designs robotics with future-proof virtual production studio possibilities in mind.
Another significant evolution in broadcast production is the growing use of remote production. The increasing demand for content across regional platforms requires increased levels of integration, control and efficiency. Sustainable practices are also becoming increasingly important priorities for media and entertainment organisations, and the level of precision and automation that can be applied across large distances is enabling broadcasters to meet their targets. These workflows also call for using the right tools and processes, made possible by highly engineered robotics that enable studio management and camera operation from thousands of miles away while retaining the same level of consistency, repeatability, and, above all, creativity.
Overall, the broadcast industry keeps on evolving towards automated, flexible and cost-efficient production. MRMC’s legacy of motion control expertise is helping reshape the possibilities of modern broadcast production, from dynamic cinematic movements to proven IP-native remote workflows. MRMC’s carefully curated range of camera robotics solutions meets the demands of modern-day broadcast productions, enhancing storytelling by making it more dynamic, and exceeds the needs of “doing more with less” through future-proof solutions that open up new creative possibilities.