Zinema Motion Camera Robots & Accessories (IBC 2023)

During IBC 2023 we visited the Zinema Motion and had a chance to talk to Michael Ziganek who demonstrated to us some of the new products developed by the company including the new and larger Thor robotic camera, the new track system as well as several accessories.

Thor camera robot

We covered the Thor robot earlier this year and during IBC 2023 we saw it in action for the first time.

As the bigger “brother” of the Loki robot we saw on IBC last year (and currently operates in our studio, review coming up later), the Thor is an impressive yet fairly compact robot (especially if you consider the size and weight of some of the industry main offerings).

Here is a reminder of what we wrote about Thor earlier this year: “THOR, is 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 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.

Tracks, accessories, and Software

The new linear track system comes in 2m, 4m, and 8m versions and connects to the robotic arm via the software where the user can program different combined moves via Keyframes in the Timeline.

One of the most interesting things shown in the booth at IBC was the Unreal integration of both the Loki and Thor robots allowing the camera to move with a computer-controlled virtual background. We didn’t have time to dive deep into this software aspect (there are plenty of other recent and upcoming improvements of the HEIMDALL Works software which is used to control the robots) but from what we understand, using the robots for virtual productions should be fairly straightforward via the Unreal Engine’s 5 LiveLink feature.

Thor robot demo in an Unreal Engine virtual production

Besides the track system, Zinema Motion is also actively working on integrating several types of accessories into the ecosystem that would also be controlled by the HEIMDALL Works (through a hardware control box connected to the robot’s computer.

These accessories include an electric turntable, and a rotating motor (great for things like pouring liquids from bottles) and we also saw a demonstration of a water drop controller from MIOPS that was adapted and controlled via the software.

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 sells for around 33,000 Euros while the Loki sells for around 27,000 Euros. The Track system with 2 meters 2-meter-long track will start from around 8000 Euros.

The other accessories should be available in the near future.

Be sure not to miss any of our IBC 2023 videos and articles on our special show coverage page.

Special thanks to our sponsors for IBC 2023: SmallRig, Ulanzi, Godox, Zhiyun.

Iddo Genuth

Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.