MRMC Marks 60 Years Of Innovation In Camera Robotics

Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC), a Nikon company, is celebrating six decades of pioneering work in camera robotics and automation throughout 2026.

Since its founding in 1966 by engineer and inventor Mark Roberts, MRMC technology has been used on more than 300 feature films, collectively generating billions of dollars at the global box office. Today, the company operates over 500 motion control rigs in 75 countries, supporting filmmakers, broadcasters, and content creators worldwide.

From its beginnings developing computerised rostrum systems for animation and title work, MRMC has consistently applied precision engineering to creative challenges. In its early years, the company designed electronic control systems to replace the electromechanical systems then used on animation stands and optical printers, including systems to control table and camera motion. This philosophy laid the groundwork for MRMC's shift from bespoke builds to standardised motion control platforms in the early 1990s, making repeatable, programmable camera movement more accessible.

The 1994 launch of the Milo motion control crane set a new benchmark for precision and repeatability in the film industry and earned MRMC an Academy Scientific and Engineering Award in 1999. Earlier milestones included computer-controlled systems in the 1970s and the debut of MRMC’s Flair control software in the early 1990s. First deployed in 1992 and paired with the Cyclops studio rig in 1993, Flair enabled standardised, software-driven camera movement and data capture, allowing motion paths to be programmed, saved, and repeated exactly, marking a major step forward in motion control.

MRMC has continued to innovate with products such as the Bolt High Speed range and the Cinebot series, supporting high-end cinematography for film, commercials, and visual effects productions. The company has also expanded into broadcast robotics, studio automation, and immersive capture, delivering systems for leading broadcasters including ESPN’s Catalyst Stage, Al Jazeera's next-generation news studio, and robotic cameras for major global sporting events. Since joining the Nikon Group in 2016, MRMC has accelerated international growth and innovation, earning the UK’s Queen’s and King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade twice.

"As we celebrate six decades of innovation, our focus remains firmly on the future," said Dan Brooks, Head of Marketing at MRMC. "From pioneering motion control for film and television to advancing camera robotics and automation for broadcast, MRMC continues to build on its engineering heritage to support the next generation of creative production worldwide. We look forward to pushing technical and creative boundaries across film, broadcast, and live production for many years to come."

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