Matthews To Produce Robotic-Centric Equipment

Matthews Studio Equipment has announced a deal with Andy Flessas (aka andyRobot) to produce robotic-centric equipment.

Flessas, a fan of the Matthews technique of supporting various pieces of equipment, worked with the company to create the AR Speed Cube System that will enable users to mount everything from lighting to cameras and support to props around robots.

For Flessas, who has used his robotic equipment for clients such as Jet Propulsion Laboratories, Dead Mouse, Lady Gaga, Royal Caribbean International and Bon Jovi, partnering with Matthews is a "dream come true". A Matthews fan from his film school days, he would watch how the company's support would move various pieces of equipment around sets and actors. "When I started thinking about moving robotics – the only place I wanted to go for help was Matthews," said Flessas. "I wrote an e-mail to Ed Phillips asking if Matthews could make me a modular robot base system to move a robot with the artistry, technology and dependability of their grip and boom equipment. Their pieces never fail."

"The idea intrigued me," said Phillips. "We are always looking for ways to get ahead of today’s technology. Robots are going to be working on various projects across all platforms in the near future."

Ed Phillips put Flessas together with Tyler Phillips and they the two worked out the details. "Because we are looking towards the kinds of performances where energy and movement are paramount, we knew we had to create a system that could 'hold' a variety of things – which could be mounted fast and quick – and most of all be modular," said Phillips.

The new AR Speed Cube System, which can mount Kuka and ABB robots in different positions and configurations are available now. Matthews’s beak (baby) mount has already been adapted to hold different grip items off the end of the robots.

The Matthews AR Speed Cube System and the various accessories being produced for the robotics line will be on display at NAB 2016 in the Matthews Studio Equipment booth along with other new inventions like the Infinity Arm, Wedge and more.

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