German manufacturer Zinema Motion recently announced a new robotic camera system called Thor. This will be the second such robotic arm introduced by the company with a longer reach and higher payload and it will support a new track system that will enable the robot arm to move in a straight line.
Zinema Motion
German manufacturer Zinema Motion is a new company that focuses on developing a type of camera robotic system. Unlike some of the big names in the industry which sell giant robotic camera systems which cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and require a large space to operate, Zinema Motion is looking for a different target audience.
During IBC 2022 the Company introduced its first robotic camera arm – the Loki, which we have covered in a special article and video from the expo. The Loki was designed as a tabletop robotic camera arm with a small footprint, ideal for food and product commercials.
Since then the company has been working hard on developing the ZM STUDIO software as well as a new product line which includes the new and larger Thor robot and a track system.
Loki V.S. Thor
While Loki can work well with most mirrorless cameras as well as smaller video bodies (and smaller slow-motion cameras such as the Kron Technologies Chronos 2.1 and the Freefly Wave), larger video cameras and high-end professional slow-motion systems are too heavy for the arm.
For this reason, the company introduced its second robotic camera arm system – THOR, a larger camera robot system aimed at advanced video creators with up to 6kg/13.2lbs payload (compared to between 2-3kg for the Loki) and a much longer reach of 2.03m/6.6ft (compared to only 1.1m of the Loki).
Besides the payload and reach, Thor will also provide a little more stability due to its increased size and weight (using heavier setups should also help reduce some vibrations associated with fast accelerations).
Other than these three points both robotic systems are pretty much similar. Both use a solid metal base on wheels weighing around 49kg/108lbs and have a Linux “brain” and can be controlled using a 13″ hardened touch display (as well as an optional mouse/keyboard) and an XBOX-style controller.
Both units also use a wired follow-focus system integrated into the ZM STUDIO software (made by PD Movie) and move at a maximum speed of about 4.2m/s.
Track System
While Thor certainly increases the reach compared to Loki it is still limited by its initial position. Zinema Motion solves this issue by introducing a new track system.
The Linear track comes in 2m and 4m versions and connects to the robotic arm via the software where the user can program different combined moves via Keyframes in the Timeline.
Zinema Motion is launching both a basic and a PRO version of the track system. The Pro version will allow more advanced controls using the software and will also support the future accessories currently under development by the company including a motorized turntable and different types of servo motors (which will also be controlled using the same ZM STUDIO software).
Thor on the new track system
Pricing and availability
Both Thor and Loki are very reasonably priced compared to other systems on the market (most of which cost way north of $100K). The new Thor will start shipping around June 2023 for around 33,000 Euros while the Loki already sells for around 27,000 Euros.
The Track system with 2 meters long will start from around 8000 Euros.
More info can be found on the Zinema Motion website.
We have been working with the Loki robotic arm for the past several months in our Studio and we plan to post our review later this year.
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Iddo Genuth 
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