Nikon just launched a camera robot that copies you

Cinebot Mini
(Image credit: Mark Roberts Motion Control)

Why bother with AI-generated images when you can get a robot to take actual images? Nikon has just launched a new compact camera robot that brings motion control to the masses by copying your handheld positions. 

Launched by Nikon subsidy Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC), the Cinebot Mini is aimed at studio owners, content creators, grips, cinematographers and camera operators, and sets out to democratize the powerful yet perplexing power of motion control.

• They're all robot-free, but these are the best cameras for video

While the technology enables high-precision camera moves to be made repeatedly (and identically) for multiple passes, as required for visual effects techniques, it is far more science than art. Driven by software to input sequences of keyframes, it's a technical skill more than anything else – and between the size, cost and expertise required, it largely makes motion control the preserve of big budget productions.

(Image credit: Mark Roberts Motion Control)

The Cinemot Mini, by contrast, not only enables operators to control the robot by hand using a mobile device or a computer, it also promises the ability to record a user's handheld camera movements (or manual dolly pushes) and turn those into repeatable sequences. 

Designed to be highly portable and transportable, the Cinebot Mini can be easily deployed on set or location and runs for up to eight hours without mains power. It boasts a 10kg payload and 1.3m arm reach, with track and pedestal options for complete flexibility. 

"It’s the ideal solution for professionals looking to record and replicate any movement manually made on set with maximum flexibility and ease of use to meet a wide variety of production requirements," said Assaff Rawner, MRMC CEO.

Visit the MRMC website for more info.

(Image credit: Mark Roberts Motion Control)

If you prefer your robot overlords in virtual form, you might be interested in the best AI image generators. And if you prefer taking control of cameras with your own hands, check out the best Nikon cameras.

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James Artaius
Editor in Chief

James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus / OM System, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and he loves instant cameras, too.

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