Bristol, Connecticut – January 28, 2026
Six Decades of Cinematic Precision: MRMC Celebrates Milestone
A company whose technology has powered over 300 films is marking 60 years of innovation in camera robotics and automation.
- Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC) is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026.
- The company’s technology has been used on more than 300 feature films, generating billions in box office revenue.
- MRMC has expanded beyond film into broadcast robotics and virtual production.
- The company was acquired by Nikon in 2016, accelerating its growth.
For over six decades, filmmakers have relied on a relatively quiet force to bring their visions to life. Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC), a Nikon company, is celebrating 60 years of innovation in camera robotics and automation, having contributed to over 300 feature films that have collectively earned billions of dollars at the global box office. The company currently operates over 500 motion control rigs in 75 countries, supporting content creators at the highest levels of production.
MRMC’s journey began in 1966, founded by engineer and inventor Mark Roberts, with early work focused on computerised rostrum systems for animation and title sequences. The company quickly pivoted to developing electronic control systems that surpassed existing electromechanical setups used in animation and optical printing, specifically controlling table and camera movements. This commitment to precision engineering drove a shift in the early 1990s toward standardized motion control platforms, making repeatable and programmable camera movements accessible on a larger scale.
The 1994 launch of the Milo motion control crane proved to be a watershed moment for MRMC and the film industry, establishing a new standard for precision and repeatability. This achievement was recognized with an Academy Scientific and Engineering Award in 1999. Prior to Milo, the company had already made significant strides, developing computer-controlled systems in the 1970s and introducing the Flair control software in the early 1990s. Deployed in 1992 and paired with the Cyclops studio rig in 1993, Flair enabled standardized, software-driven camera movement and data capture, allowing for the programming, saving, and precise repetition of motion paths. Together, Flair and Cyclops represented a major leap forward in repeatable motion control, providing exact camera positioning for every frame.
Building on this foundation, MRMC continued to innovate with ranges like Bolt High Speed and, more recently, Cinebot, enabling high-end cinematography for film, commercials, and visual effects productions globally. The company has also expanded into broadcast robotics, studio automation, and immersive capture, delivering installations for leading broadcasters and live productions. These include ESPN’s Catalyst Stage virtual production studio in Bristol, Connecticut, Al Jazeera’s next-generation news studio, and robotic camera systems used at major global sporting events.
Since becoming part of the Nikon Group in 2016, MRMC has experienced accelerated international growth and innovation across film and broadcast workflows, earning the UK’s Queen’s and King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade on two occasions. “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.”
