This is nothing new. Special effects companies have been using MOCO rigs (Motion Control) for decades.
I worked on some of this hardware many moons ago. One such rig was a cartesian robot the size of an entire warehouse. It was used to fly a camera over (and through) a miniature mockup of a city. The rig had XYZ axis that were measured in tens of feet and the end-effector (where the camera was mounted) had various rotation and translation capabilities as well as computer control of focus and other camera functions.
I was also on set for some software tests of a rig used on an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. It was impressive to see this rig programmatically approach the actor at high speed on a rail system while the camera was going through various programmed motions. The thing was easily over 500lbs. They had massive stop blocks at the end of the track prevent a run-away condition and protect the actors.
Agreed, one trip around NAB will show you a lifetime's worth of imagining on cinematic robots. I think the interesting thing they've done here is tie everything in together with a single point control that's perhaps nicer than Flair. Of course, it's also competing with an endless array of multi-million dollar systems - so I'm not sure how exactly this one stands above the fray, except maybe getting written up in HN =)
I worked on some of this hardware many moons ago. One such rig was a cartesian robot the size of an entire warehouse. It was used to fly a camera over (and through) a miniature mockup of a city. The rig had XYZ axis that were measured in tens of feet and the end-effector (where the camera was mounted) had various rotation and translation capabilities as well as computer control of focus and other camera functions.
I was also on set for some software tests of a rig used on an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. It was impressive to see this rig programmatically approach the actor at high speed on a rail system while the camera was going through various programmed motions. The thing was easily over 500lbs. They had massive stop blocks at the end of the track prevent a run-away condition and protect the actors.