That’s something we hear a lot—usually right before people try it. Once a robot is on set, it quickly stops feeling like “motion control” and starts feeling like the most flexible camera support you’ve ever used.

Our system frees the camera to move intuitively and continuously, without long programming sessions or complex tech getting in the way. You can still walk up, grab the camera, and frame instinctively—except now the camera floats. No special rigging, no reset time, no friction.

This becomes especially valuable in tight or unconventional spaces—shooting in a small kitchen or bathroom, upstairs in a home, around a bed, inside a commercial plane, or anywhere traditional dolly track just isn’t practical. It’s also a powerful way to elevate production value in far-remote locations where heavy gear simply isn’t an option.

Want to add a move? Give our technician three to five minutes and we’re ready. The result is an organic, analog-feeling motion that flows naturally through the scene—often faster and simpler than traditional camera support.

It’s often helpful to look at the full picture. Between a traditional dolly, track, and the camera support accessories that come from your camera rental house, those costs add up quickly.

Add a cube truck to move everything across town, and suddenly you’re into the thousands. Our robot rental typically comes in just slightly above a traditional dolly / accessories package, and we handle delivery and setup ourselves—simplifying logistics and keeping the day moving.

Not quite. Our portable cinema robots are built around a very different idea: speed, scale, and adaptability on real-world sets.

They’re compact enough to break down into a few small cases, travel on a commercial flight, and run on batteries—yet powerful enough to support full cinema camera payloads up to 20 lbs. That combination simply doesn’t exist elsewhere. One person load in, and fits into a medium sized passenger vehicle.

Because of their size and footprint, these robots can operate anywhere a tripod can be placed. Tight interiors, upper floors, remote locations, or fast-moving days where heavy gear isn’t practical—they’re designed for exactly those scenarios.

And unlike traditional motion-control systems, programming is fast. Very fast. That speed translates directly into productivity: it’s not uncommon for us to execute 20+ setups in a single day, without slowing down the crew or the creative process.

• Free-drive mode allows the DP or director to physically compose a move by hand while we capture and record precise motion data.

• We offer shot pre-visualization in advance to help plan, refine, and align creative intent before stepping on set.

• Built-in camera tracking support for Unreal Engine and XR workflows enables seamless integration with virtual production.

• Our system can be rigged to vehicles or deployed on commercial aircraft, making it ideal for automotive and airline productions.

• We can capture organic, handheld-style moves and repeat them with frame-accurate precision.

• Battery-powered operation enables time-lapse capture and long-duration wildlife or remote shoots.

• All our robots have Mitchell mounts so they can be mounted to longer dolly moves, sliders, cranes, and hostess trays.

• All our robots are travel ready within North America with a travel Carnet for international use.

Most projects don’t require a dedicated prep day unless there’s a pre-light, rehearsal, or particularly complex setup involved. To stay efficient and protect the production’s budget, we typically just ask to review your storyboards in advance so we can flag any questions or considerations during a quick call.

We’re also happy to coordinate remotely with your camera assistant during camera prep to confirm weight limits, mounting plates, and any technical details ahead of time. We never walk into a shoot blind—unless required by NDA—and our goal is always to be fully prepared while staying mindful of budget and schedule.

We always work closely with productions to structure a quote that aligns with their budgetary needs while preserving creative and technical impact.

Pricing is based on project scope and technical requirements. After an initial conversation, we provide a clear, transparent quote with no hidden costs.

Los Angeles projects are treated as local deployments. For travel jobs, costs typically increase only by standard airline baggage fees, as the system is designed to fly as checked luggage. A single technician always comes to operate the robot and if necessary, a second tech is available for more complex vehicle rigging.

At RYFT, we bring over twenty years of hands-on filmmaking experience to every set. We’ve worked across feature films, television, commercials, and branded content, so we understand how productions actually move—and what crews need to succeed.

Our goal is simple: make the key grip, director, and DP look brilliant at video village. We’re there to support the story, stay ahead of schedule, and deliver moments that feel elevated and intentional for clients and agencies alike.

We come prepared, collaborate openly, and guide the process without getting in the way. We’re proactive with ideas, calm under pressure, and focused on making the day smoother—not more complicated. That approach is what keeps our clients coming back for the next one.