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How this automated bowling system — created for testing bowling balls, lanes, and related equipment — was engineered. EARL the Bowling Robot Can Reproduce Virtually Any Throw How this automated bowling system — created for testing bowling balls, lanes, and related equipment — was engineered. Edited by EE Staff Sports Nov 17, 2025 Games When the U.S. Bowling Congress (USBC), the national governing body for bowling, approached ARM Automation with a request to develop an automated bowling system capable of reproducing virtually any type of throwing style to a high degree of accuracy, the company’s creative wheels started turning. In their quest to build the ultimate testing platform for balls, lanes, and related equipment, the USBC had approached several different machine builders and had evaluated using many off-the-shelf robotic systems to no avail. What had to be done is for the ARM Automation team to break down the many different challenges presented and come up with a solution that met all of the performance criteria—within a strict budget. The team had to consider multiple elements in a bowling test, including different ball masses, ball grip orientations, spin, velocity, release point, and throw vector parameters. Any single bowl requires specification and execution of up to over a dozen variables all interacting at once. The Enhanced Automated Robot Launcher (EARL) is essentially a purpose-built seven-degree-of-freedom robot and tightly calibrated control system that allows for precision motion (± 2mm) and split second (± 1ms) timing accuracy. That’s what was ultimately required of the system to provide throwing a bowling ball at speeds up to 25 miles per hour time after time for test after test. All images courtesy of ARM Automation. Some of the key attributes of EARL include high robot tip speeds, high precision motion, fast spin speeds of unbalanced balls, and a simple touch-panel setup with flexible programmability. EARL is built for portability and rigidity. It’s mounted on air bearings, which double as vacuum chucks to secure the frame while throwing the ball. One of the key challenges of the project was the development of a suitable combination ball gripper/spindle/release mechanism. Each ball must be captured in a user-defined grip orientation (gripper spin axis relative to the ball’s rotationally non-homogenous coordinate frame) and clamped with significant pressure despite small variances in allowable ball size. To achieve required ball spin speeds of up to 900 rpm, a spindle motor system was incorporated into the scissor like gripper apparatus. Finally, in order to achieve precise release points while traveling at maximum arm speed, the gripper mechanism needed to open in a manner that imparted no adverse motion to the ball’s instantaneous trajectory and needed to do so in a very tight window of time, ±1 millisecond. This free-release grip solution required that the clamp forces on the ball be almost instantaneously reversed. To achieve this function, the ARM team of designers created a reversible scissor mechanism which once set closed was held in place by a multi-stage hair trigger release. Once set, the clamping cylinder loading was reversed, which attempted to open the mechanism. This allowed a fast-acting solenoid—combined with an accurate look-ahead control scheme—to release the spindle jaws at precisely the right moment and see that they swung wide and clear of the departing ball. EARL’s capabilities were so repeatable that it limited its own ability to bowl a perfect game. During an initial competition against a top professional bowler, EARL’s programmed perfect throw rubbed a dry streak on the oiled lane, which resulted in a progressively decreasing score. Tom Frenzel, USBC Senior Director of Equipment Specifications said, “Something I say about E.A.R.L. when I showcase him is: Due to the range of release variables E.A.R.L. can be adjusted with, it gives us a bowler for our research that can emulate any bowling style from the standard league bowler hobbyist all the way up to the top-level professionals by just pushing a few buttons. That allows us to study how our equipment specifications affect all levels of the sport.” Bonus video of EARL playing against Chris Barnes, 2007–2008 PBA Bowler of the Year: For more information, visit ARM Automation . Read more articles about creative technology in sports >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

It’s important to have devices that easily integrate with your present system. Amusement Ride Animatronics with Minimal Maintenance Requirements It’s important to have devices that easily integrate with your present system. Terry Persun Theme Parks Jul 9, 2025 A well-known theme park required an additional electric actuator and motor that was compatible with the drives and controls it was currently using. The application was to reliably support and move a large and heavy animated prop nearly 280 times per day while providing minimal maintenance requirements. The engineering team from Tolomatic was able use the company’s online sizing software to quickly specify the correct actuator and motor and provide a STEP file to the customer the same day the request arrived. Also from EE: Here's How Jurassic World Rebirth Captured the Nostalgia of Film The animated prop moving solution included the Tolomatic B3W electric linear belt drive actuator, which not only fulfilled the customer’s load requirements, but supplied consistent, smooth operation, easy integration using Tolomatic’s “Your Motor Here” program, and provided the long life the customer was looking for. Once selected, the theme park designers were able to use the same motors throughout the park to effortlessly integrate the new attraction into their system. Photo courtesy of Tolomatic The company’s B3W actuators offer a maximum stroke of 100-inches (2.5 meters) with an operating speed of 2.5-3 inches per second (63-76 mm/sec). As a belt drive actuator, the device is capable of accommodating very heavy loads as well as handling high bending moments with consistently smooth operation. The B3W linear belt drive actuators incorporate an enclosed recirculating bearing system eliminating the need for external load guidance. The device comes in three body sizes, incorporates a wide urethane-steel belt that delivers greater thrust with no stretch, and offers strokes up to 574-inches (14,579 mm). Alternate belt materials and extended stroke lengths are available. For more information: Tolomatic Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Entertainment Engineering talks with the best-known and most highly respected special effects companies in the film business to discuss creativity, freedom, and herding cats. Dave Merritt is Model Shop Supervisor at Legacy Effects, and took time out of a very busy day to speak with us. Here is part of that conversation. Creativity on a Monstrous Scale Entertainment Engineering talks with the best-known and most highly respected special effects companies in the film business to discuss creativity, freedom, and herding cats. Dave Merritt is Model Shop Supervisor at Legacy Effects, and took time out of a very busy day to speak with us. Here is part of that conversation. Derek Wells Film and TV Jun 4, 2025 EE: First of all, how many men and women do you typically employ, and what are their specialties? Dave Merritt: Legacy Effects operates from a core group of about 45 people, and we can quickly ramp up to 150 people as more projects come in. We staff all types of specialists, but we separate them by departments; some departments include more than one specialist. The Departments are broken up into Art, 3D Modeling, Mechanical, Fabrication (which includes hair and fur), Electronics, Molding and Casting, and the Model Shop. EE: Creativity is an important aspect of Legacy’s production. How often do you start with one design and end up with something completely different based on inputs from different departments? Dave: We strive to create exactly what our clients desire, but there are times when our staff collaboration may change our approach to the final project. Typically our timeframes are short so a great deal of collaboration needs to happen during the project. For example, we may use materials and processes from one department to replace a more time consuming method in another department. EE: What percentage of your projects have some sort of motion involved? And do your designers typically use electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic components for the motion? Dave: About 50 percent of our work involves some sort of motion. That motion can incorporate everything from simple rod puppets to large hydraulic systems depending on the individual project. In Real Steel, the robot Atom was built with rod puppet arms and a hydraulic head which allowed for a smoother and more fluid operation. EE: For any single project, how many different designers are involved? Dave: Each department has input on the design of a project. For instance, 5 key designers from various departments were involved with the Iron Man suit. Our Fabrication Dept. dealt with how the materials would work together as a whole; Mechanical worked out hinge points and fasteners, while the Model Shop and Mold Dept. focused on the patterns and casting process. Then, Electronics followed up with the lighting and wiring harness. Now for something like the aliens in Cowboys and Aliens, the same process applied, but the puppet was more organic, so the Digital and Real World Sculptors, Mechanics and Mold Dept. were more predominate in the build. EE: How do you use the computers you have in-house, since you don’t provide CGI to your clients? Dave: We utilize 3D modeling in order to visualize what we are going to build and to identify specific elements that may go through the rapid prototyping process. We use our in-house system to produce maquettes for clients as well as small detail components. EE: How many projects do you work on at any one time? Dave: We typically run four to six television commercials and two to four feature films at one time. EE: If you had only a few words to explain how it is to work with such a diverse and talented group, what would you say? Dave: It's a very rewarding experience to be able to work in a creative environment with such talented people. EE: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. Dave: Thank you. For more information: Legacy Effects Home Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Industrial automation products can be applied to a wide number of unique applications, like the advanced control needed for a sophisticated escape room. Escape Room Experience Uses Automation Tools Industrial automation products can be applied to a wide number of unique applications, like the advanced control needed for a sophisticated escape room. Terry Persun Games Jun 16, 2025 Stage Events Escape rooms are immersive adventure games where players solve puzzles to break out from a themed environment within a set time. While seemingly unrelated to industrial automation, a systems integrator leveraged expertise gained from working in industrial applications to enhance escape room experiences through advanced automation. Andrew Schulman details how he applied industrial-grade automation to 13 Hour Escape Rooms’ Campground project. An Entertainment Game Changer Andrew Schulman, the founder of Schulman Engineering, transformed his mechanical background into a successful systems integrator career, executing industrial-focused projects across multiple sectors. His client in the escape room industry was a bit of a departure from the typical project and needed improvements to an existing PLC-based (Programmable Logic Controller-based) system that controlled audio and effects for enhanced gameplay and elevated player engagement. Schulman’s objective was to develop a flexible programming structure that could accommodate future expansions, while addressing immediate operational needs. Immersive environments of this type often incorporate digital control and programming to manage various technical elements, including sensors, sound effects, lighting, and countdown timers. To meet these and other needs, the AtuomationDirect Productivity 1000, stackable micro PLC was chosen for its extensive input/output (I/O) capabilities and compact design, managing over 200 unique I/O points through digital and analog interfaces. This architecture allowed for smooth gameplay, along with real-time interactions based on player actions. Minimizing Code Risk The original code used AutomationDirect’s Productivity Suite software, which simplified programming but relied heavily on latching bits to ensure that logic proceeded in the correct order. This is a valid programming approach, but without careful attention to detail the logic can be left in improper states. Photo: The AutomationDirect Productivity1000 stackable micro PLC manages more than two hundred I/O points located throughout the room, utilizing software-based drum sequencing instructions ; photos courtesy of 13 Hour Escape Rooms and Schulman Engineering. To enhance manageability, Schulman implemented drum sequencer instructions, simplifying the program and facilitating easier maintenance. The interactive and unpredictable nature of gameplay required robust programming practices to ensure system reliability. An AutomationDirect C-more headless HMI (Human-Machine-Interface) lets game operators monitor progress, and override actions where necessary, using a computer or mobile device. Sound Programming Practices An essential aspect of the escape room experience is sound design to enhance gameplay, and even deliver clues. The escape room design company had developed a custom printed circuit board (PCB) sound board to do this, featuring multiple audio ports. The PCB was controlled via RS-232 serial communication from the PLC, and it allowed for concurrent playback of multiple sound effects in different locations. This approach minimized wiring complexity and optimized the use of I/O resources, and it provided sound playback in different rooms throughout the game. As gameplay progresses, PLC logic determines which sounds to play, and whether playback is a single-time event or looped. Backstage Support To ensure reliable technical support across multiple game room franchises, a secure AutomationDirect StrideLinx VPN router was integrated into the system. This provides Schulman and the game owners with remote access for monitoring and troubleshooting, and it streamlined the programming and commissioning phases, both of which were accomplished without any required on-site visits. With a solid commitment to providing intuitive, quality products and exceptional technical support, AutomationDirect was an ideal partner for this unconventional application. Similarly, Schulman’s client was impressed by the resulting system performance, and the training and support provided so they could develop their in-house ability to maintain the system. Overall, the collaboration between Schulman Engineering and the entertainment company exemplifies how industrial automation can enhance interactivity, leading to a successful application that is both technically sound and creatively engaging. See the escape room video here . A version of this article was published in Automation.com . For more information: AutomationDirect Schulman Engineering 13 Hour Escape Rooms Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Industrial class robots holding other robots deliver a light show with precision of motion with the grace of a dancer. Giant Laser-Headed Robot Dances at Drake Concert Industrial class robots holding other robots deliver a light show with precision of motion with the grace of a dancer. Terry Persun Stage Events Sep 11, 2025 Cool Stuff A humanoid robot is basically a collection of robots mounted to each other. When designing the entertainment robots for the Drake concert, andyRobot had to be very careful. The robot heads held super powerful lasers that had to be aimed away from the crowd for safety purposes. Yet, they also had to present spectacular choreography for the viewing audience. The application of standard industrial class robots by KUKA is enhanced by using them in an entertainment environment. andyRobot uses the same exact robots you might find in a manufacturing plant in a way that provides smooth, high precision motion night after night, even when the robots are continually moved from one location to the next. At each new arena, a team goes in to chalk out the location of the robots in four corners—often up to 200 feet apart from one another—which are brought in by semi-truck, carefully unloaded, and placed into precise location. The combined components are assembled to create each humanoid robot that rises above the crowd by over eight feet. Each multi-ton humanoid has a laser for a head and arms that hold 16-inch mirrors in each hand. During the Drake concert, the humanoids shoot lasers out of their heads and bounce them off the mirrors held by other robots standing across and diagonally from them, creating a spectacular lightshow over the heads of the audience. The overall show complexity of movement was created through andyRobot’s proprietary software Robot Animator. Robot Animator employs what is called inverse kinematics to control multiple robots. Inverse kinematics comes from computer animation and refers to how that field makes characters move on screen. In the physical world of robotics, this is when the robot follows a trajectory to reach an end point which makes the movement look more natural. Robot Animator is a plug-in that works inside Autodesk Maya. Because robots used in manufacturing move quickly until they are in position then stop abruptly, perform the operation, and move quickly away, there is a jerkiness to the movement. Think of it this way, in a stage production at a concert you want the precision that is required in a manufacturing facility only you don’t want the jerky start and stop motion. The robot movements created by Robot Animator must vary from slow to fast to follow the music being played, producing surgically exact movements at every show. Robot Animator is able to smoothly ramp up and ramp down every motion—and do it with precise accurately. According to Andy Flessas, President of andyRobot, “Grace of movement is created through Robot Animator’s Motion Planning software, which translates industrial robot motion into the language of animation.” All photos courtesy of andyRobot. Basically, to do this, the software must ease in and ease out of every movement. For example, it can take over thirty separate micro moves to provide one second of actual robot motion, all of which allows the humanoid robots at the Drake concert to look like they are dancing. The robots used in the Drake Concert include four KUKA KR210 robots, each with six axes of movement, and eight KUKA KR10 robots, with six axes of movement. All told, each of the four humanoid robots incorporates 18 axes of motion that must be precisely choreographed with one another. That’s 72 axes of motion that had to be programmed for a two-hour concert, second by second. andyRobot provides the key components necessary for all types of entertainment using the same robots you might see in any manufacturing plant. Adjusting them for multiple movements not normally found in industry, andyRobot exploits the precision required in manufacturing into a creative experience for a large audience. For more information: andyRobot Autodesk Maya ABB Robotics KUKA Robotics Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Software enabled a popular swimwear company to reduce prototyping cycles, increase quality, automate workflows, and streamline collaboration. Reimagining Sports Swimwear Software enabled a popular swimwear company to reduce prototyping cycles, increase quality, automate workflows, and streamline collaboration. Terry Persun Sports Jun 16, 2025 Horst Dassler, the founder of Arena and son of Adidas founder, was on the pool deck at the 1972 Munich Olympics to witness Mark Spitz win his historic seven gold medals while setting seven new world records. Dassler immediately started forming plans for a swimwear company dedicated to aquatic sports and performance swimwear. Just one year after the Games, Arena launched Skinfit® as its first competition swimwear line. The new ultra-light fabric only weighed 18 grams and was designed to cling to a swimmer’s body like a second skin.Today , Arena is headquartered in Tolentino, in central Italy, and is still fully dedicated to producing premium swimwear, equipment, and accessories for swimmers. Also from Entertainment Engineering Fast forward to the present. Arena Chief Information Officer, Andrea Mazzanti, understood that the company needed to reduce the time spent preparing prototypes of new swimwear and related products. At the same time, he wanted to reduce the company’s carbon emissions. By moving to a 3D printing model, the company was able to shorten the life cycle for producing new product prototypes. Plus, by adding 3D EXPERIENCE® Works, Arena was able to ensure all its designers had up-to-date feedback to create, test, and optimize models in real time. According to Mazzanti, “Before 3D EXPERIENCE, the company’s workflow was messier—less predictable and more manual, and they often transferred data via Excel spreadsheets. With 3DEXPERIENCE, we have a single environment where designers can work together and quickly exchange information, which also greatly helps them collaborate with our partners.” Mazzanti said, “ 3D EXPERIENCE is helping us create an ecosystem, connecting all the necessary people with our designers.” Arena mainly uses 3D EXPERIENCE with Solidworks® and 3D Sculptor, along with Simulation. With 3DEXPERIENCE Works, the company has reduced its prototyping cycle by 70 percent while decreasing time to market and enhancing quality by reducing the number of product defects. Photo: Screenshot of a swim goggle lens in design software. Simulation helps Arena reduce their CO2 emissions. Leveraging Simulation to Preserve Resources Another welcome benefit of decreasing the prototype cycle is the increase in sustainability from reduced carbon emissions. Mazzanti continues, “By simulating everything in our design office, we don’t have to create multiple product samples or use third-party product samples, which reduces our CO2 emissions.” He predicts that digital technologies will continue to help Arena improve products for swimmers, particularly in capturing images and measuring and tracking data regarding the performance of fabrics on swimmers in the water. Technology can also help designers develop and test smart fibers. 3D EXPERIENCE® Works collaboration tools ensure that Arena designers have up-to-date feedback to create, test, and optimize models in real time. Besides reducing their prototyping cycle, Arena experienced a decrease in time to market, and enhanced quality by reducing the number of product defects. For more information: SolidWorks Arena Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

The iglide® self-lubricating, maintenance-free plastic bearings are being used in the design and development of a single-passenger, urban commuting vehicle. Personal Transport Vehicle Uses Plastic Bearings The iglide® self-lubricating, maintenance-free plastic bearings are being used in the design and development of a single-passenger, urban commuting vehicle. IGUS (originally published in 2013) Cool Stuff Jun 4, 2025 The Personal Transport Vehicle, Ground (PTV-G), is the brainchild of Redbud Technology LLC out of Union Grove, AL. The design uses an articulated steering geometry where the inclined steering pivot is positioned just behind the occupant, and as a result reacts like a high-performance, two-wheeled motorcycle. iglide plastic plain bearings are used in both the independent rear suspension and in the rear wheel lean-and-tilt mechanisms. The bearings are ideal for the harsh, dirty operating environment of the vehicle since they will not corrode and require no maintenance or external lubrication. The low cost and easy installation of the bearings is also an important benefit. In conjunction with the company's Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program, igus donated bearings at no cost to a group of students working on the project. The vehicle’s subsystems are being assigned to high school seniors and community college and university programs as special projects in order to encourage a younger generation to participate in the study of science, engineering, and manufacturing technologies. Photo: Rendering of the ongoing REDBUD™ PTV-G™ project Redbud is committed to projects that serve as educational resources to advance the knowledge of those who study and practice design, engineering, and manufacturing in the US. They seek to establish relationships with educational institutions and seasoned mentors to foster new learning models. igus’ Y.E.S. Program has a similar mission: to foster the mechanical design ideas of students with a passion for engineering, while at the same time educating them on the merits and benefits of plastic components. Redbud Technology is actively evolving the design and engineering of an urban PTV-G™ based on the plan form of a delta trike. The REDBUD™ PTV-G will serve as an educational resource to help technical high school, community college, and university students develop and analyze advanced single passenger commuting concepts, which includes fundamental 3D CAD/CAE/CAM, design, innovative engineering, and economical manufacturing, assembly, and lifecycle maintenance. For more information: igus Y.E.S Program Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Watch this lecture from Nick Hutzler, Assistant Professor of Physics at Caltech Where Did Matter Come From? Watch this lecture from Nick Hutzler, Assistant Professor of Physics at Caltech EE Staff Mini Story Nov 11, 2025 We here at Entertainment Engineering magazine have very curious minds. Because of that, we’re often falling down rabbit holes and pulling on threads to learn more about things that a lot of people probably don’t think about too often. One of those things that interest us is the universe: how it came to be, what it’s made of, and why are we even here. Well, that last part we’ll leave to another post. To help drag you into our rabbit hole with us, we’ve got a Caltech lecture that explores the origins of matter in the universe. And questions the presence of anti-matter, dark matter, etc. In this lecture by Nick Hutzler called “Molecules, Mysteries, and the Matter of Existence” you’ll find some answers, more questions, and a lot of fun things to think about—all with some humor as well. See the lecture here: Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Touch screen displays with an optical bond are designed to offer an improved viewing angle. Unique Optically Bonded Touch Display Improves Viewing Experience Touch screen displays with an optical bond are designed to offer an improved viewing angle. By Jim Spadaccini, Founder & Creative Director, Ideum Museums Aug 26, 2025 Cool Stuff Ideum has recently been integrating optically bonded 55-inch touch displays into our products. This includes optically bonded versions of the our popular Platform II and Drafting II touch tables, as well as their Presenter and Inline models—and their Tasting Table. Touch screen displays are comprised of a monitor and a touch sensor. In large-format displays, these components are usually separated by a small air gap. This is fine for many (even most) displays and configurations, but there are some instances where optical bonding improves the quality of the touch display. In this process, a clear adhesive is used between the touch sensor and the monitor, bonding the two components together. But what does this mean to the user? All photos courtesy of Ideum. Removing the air gap and replacing it with a transparent adhesive has several advantages. The first is that the display appears to be visibly brighter; this is due to removing any reflection that might occur from the surface glass. In addition, the viewing angle of the display is greatly improved since the display and sensor glass are effectively one, bonded unit. There is no reflected light off the back of the sensor glass, making the integrated touch display brighter and clearer. All photos courtesy of Ideum. Bonded units don’t have issues with parallax, which is the perceived gap between the touch sensor and the display, again because they are bonded together. We have focused on the 55-inch model (and soon the 65-inch model) because they are the most popular, but also because this gap can be noticeable, and closing it improves the viewing quality of the display. Optical Bonding Benefits We’ve always taken pride in creating touch screen tables and displays that are practically indestructible. Our all-aluminum frames and chassis, and tempered glass, provide exceptional security and durability. Optically bonded displays are even stronger than their air-gapped counterparts! This makes sense as the clear adhesive bonds the display and sensor together. Optical bonding also makes it impossible to introduce dust or other particulate matter between the layers, making it perfect for challenging environments. The bonded touch display is also more resistant to spills (that’s why we use it for the Tasting Table). All in all, it is a superior product; the only downsides are that the manufacturing method is more involved and expensive, and the process inherently means that any flaws in the display or the sensor compromise the entire assembly. Air-gapped touch displays allow you to replace damaged components more easily, since those parts remain separate. Bonding is forever. Display Case Design Changes We’ve also improved the display’s case by creating a design that appears slimmer. Our patented manufacturing process for displays uses extruded aluminum as the frame making it appear sleeker and smoother. To create corners that don’t have fasteners, we designed 3D-printed metal corners that can be fastened to the extruded aluminum frames from the inside. The new design provides a better-looking profile and differentiates this new model from its predecessors. All photos courtesy of Ideum. This Fall, we will be announcing all of the available optically bonded models. They will be referred to as the Plus Series, since they appear across all of our offerings, from displays to various touch table formats. We will continue to offer all of our models, so the Plus Series will simply expand our offerings for our customers. For more information: Ideum Platform II Display Touch Screen Displays Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Gimbal fluid head enables smooth, shake-free panning without micro-jitters for perfect shots. To Capture Fast-Moving Subjects, Photographers Need the Right Equipment Gimbal fluid head enables smooth, shake-free panning without micro-jitters for perfect shots. Edited by Terry Persun Film and TV Oct 10, 2025 A photograph is more than an image—it’s a piece of art suspended in time. It captures light, emotion, and motion, distilling them into something lasting. Some photographs tell stories. Others reveal the unseen. The finest do both—and they endure. One of nature photography’s most captivating subjects is the Gruccione , or European Bee-eater—a bird whose radiant plumage and elegant flight have made it a favorite among wildlife photographers such as Michael Lovera. Yet the Gruccione is far from an easy subject to photograph. Found along riversides and meadows from late spring to mid-summer, the Bee-eater’s beauty is rivaled only by the challenge of capturing it. Migratory by nature, the Bee-eater spends winters in sub-Saharan Africa and returns to Europe each year to breed. This long journey across continents makes it a symbol of seasonal change, endurance, and ecological connection—a perfect metaphor for timelessness, motion, and return in visual storytelling. Its plumage is among the most colorful in Europe, with a turquoise chest, golden-brown back, lemon-yellow throat, and bold black eye stripe. It nests in colonies, digging long horizontal tunnels—sometimes stretching 1–2 meters— into sandy riverbanks or soft cliffs. These nesting sites, often reused year after year, are typically precarious and hard to access, requiring photographers to set up on unstable ground or even in water. As its name suggests, the European Bee-eater feeds mainly on flying insects such as bees and wasps, which it catches mid-flight with remarkable precision. Before swallowing stinging prey, it performs a dramatic behavioral flourish: rubbing the insect against a branch to remove the stinger. Capturing this moment adds narrative depth to a photo and rewards the patient, observant photographer. During nesting season, typically between May and July, Bee-eaters establish colonies along exposed slopes or sandy banks. Photographers seeking the most compelling images often work near these sites, building camouflaged hides and enduring long, silent hours in often extreme environments. High temperatures, harsh light, persistent insects, and unpredictable terrain make reliability non-negotiable. Gear with Unshakable Stability On Michael Lovera’s journey to capture the Bee-eater, the Gitzo Systematic Tripod and Gimbal Head proved indispensable. The four-section systematic tripod, combined with the G-lock system, allowed for quick and precise height adjustments and adaptability on any terrain—from riverbanks to uneven ground—while providing excellent stability for ground-level shots, which Lovera noted as a personal favorite. Rubber articulated feet played a crucial role in maintaining grip on difficult surfaces, including slippery submerged rocks under flowing water. The tripod absorbed shocks and kept the setup steady and secure from the first moment. Thanks to its fluid movement and total control, the Gitzo Gimbal Head performed flawlessly not only in photography, but also in video work—enabling smooth, shake-free panning without micro-jitters. The ergonomic knobs with superior grip ensured full control, even when wet or in contact with water—a common scenario in wildlife photography where fast reactions are everything. The carbon fiber legs of the Systematic and the magnesium construction of the Gimbal made the entire system light and easy to carry across long treks and difficult landscapes. For wildlife photographers constantly balancing performance with portability, this combination delivered the perfect compromise between quality and weight. “In these products, I found the security I was looking for—without giving up anything else—security, stability, or elegance. Gitzo provided the stability I needed to shoot with absolute precision—even when partially immersed in water.” This article is part of the “Photography That Lasts Forever” campaign by Gitzo. This was a Gitzo adventure with Michael Lovera. For more information: Gitzo GT4543LSUS — Gitzo tripod Systematic, series 4 long, 4 sections . GHFG1 — Gimbal Fluid Head. Michael Lovera on Instagram Read more about photography . Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Coco Robotics partners with Prime Video and Omnicom to promote Eddie Murphy film Delivery Robots Used to Market New Film in LA Coco Robotics partners with Prime Video and Omnicom to promote Eddie Murphy film Film and TV Sep 1, 2025 Coco Robotics, an urban robot delivery company, partnered with Prime Video and Omnicom to promote The Pickup , a heist comedy film starring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, and Keke Palmer. Coco Robotics was founded in 2020 and brings zero-emission deliveries in the U.S. and Europe through robot delivery. In a new campaign, the robots will be doing double duty, serving as marketing devices for the new film. Marketing with robot delivery The campaign launched July 21 and repurposed Coco's Los Angeles fleet of “robocouriers,” which are urban delivery robots, into marketing bots on the streets of LA, or as they call them, “immersive mobile brand activations” that blend entertainment and technology. As part of the campaign, Coco wrapped its LA-based mobile robots in Prime Video and film branding, designed “to evoke the film's iconic armored money trucks,” according to a press release. The campaign is intended to play on the film's central theme while it turns the robots into an extension of the film's story. The robots play voice lines from the film when deliveries are picked up, “turning each vehicle into an in-world character that expands the cinematic universe from screen to sidewalk.” So, Coco's robots deliver food, but also generate “broad exposure” that the company says rival traditional marketing methods, such as billboards. “Unlike static ads, Coco's robots draw eyes wherever they go - making them an attention-grabbing ad surface in any city that naturally sparks filming and sharing,” said the company in a press release. See Coco robot in action The visibility is powered by a combination of proprietary impression-tracking technology and OOH measurement tools. "This campaign shows how our robots can amplify brand storytelling in real time," said Josh Dubin, Head of Ads at Coco Robotics. "It transforms routine deliveries into personal, one-to-one brand experiences that connect with consumers in a natural, memorable way." This type of out-of-home advertising is something that some believe will be more common in the future. "We're always looking for ways to push boundaries and create media moments that people haven't seen before," said Elizabeth Boone, Senior Associate in Emerging Platforms and Partnerships at Omnicom Media Group. "This campaign is a glimpse into the future of media. It's a perfect example of a unique integration of robotics, storytelling, and neighborhood-scale visibility that can come together to bring a movie to life in the real world." The campaign also includes a custom commercial using Coco's delivery robots in a heist scene from The Pickup . Source: Coco Robotics Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Unique cooling solution is optimized to provide cooling for an electric Vertical Take Off and Landing aircraft capable of traveling flight distances of 1,000 km. Electric VTOL Aircraft Unique cooling solution is optimized to provide cooling for an electric Vertical Take Off and Landing aircraft capable of traveling flight distances of 1,000 km. Terry Persun Cool Stuff Jun 10, 2025 Conflux Technology designs, engineers, and produces additive manufactured heat exchangers for a variety of thermal challenges in multiple industries. Recently, they unveiled a collaboration with AMSL Aero, an Australian aircraft manufacturer involved in building the world’s most efficient long-range zero emissions electrical VTOL aircraft. Also from EE: Electric Race Car Uses 3D-Printed Components Under the first phase of the project to develop hydrogen fuel cell cooling for AMSL Aero’s Vertiia VTOL aircraft, Conflux developed three heat exchanger concepts, each focusing on minimizing weight and volume while managing continuous heat loads and reducing drag. The ultimate goal was to enable flight distances of up to 1,000 km. Already at its second phase, the company will optimize the design and manufacture of a full proof-of-concept assembly to evaluate its performance within Vertiia’s hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. According to Michael Fuller, CEO & Founder of Conflux Technology, ““Hydrogen fuel cells represent a transformative technology in Australia’s pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. We are proud to incorporate our heat exchange technology to enhance the efficiency and performance of Vertiia’s hydrogen fuel cells. Together, we’re advancing innovation in creating world-leading sustainable air transport.” The Conflux cooling solution will be optimized to provide cooling for high transient heat loads experienced during vertical take-off, landing, and hover operations. Weight, performance and packaging size are key constraints for aeronautical hydrogen powertrains. Geometrical freedoms granted by additive manufacturing means heat exchangers for these systems can be lightweight and conform to the space available. Conflux’s unique thin-walled, patented designs deliver thermal performance and low drag. Photo: A closeup of Conflux Fins AMSL Aero chairman Chris Smallhorn said: “In Vertiia we are building a hydrogen-electric aircraft that flies record-breaking distances at Formula 1 speeds, making Conflux Technology, with its storied history of innovation in motorsport and aviation, the perfect partner for us. Conflux’s AS9100D manufacturing and quality certification is critical in enabling Vertiia to become the world’s first long-range passenger-capable hydrogen VTOL.” Working together, the companies are pioneering a future where clean energy and cutting-edge engineering drive the aviation industry toward a greener and more sustainable future. This engagement further expands Conflux’s presence in aerospace applications, leveraging additive manufacturing to develop high-performance heat exchangers for next-generation aviation. Applications now extend across propulsion system cooling, transmission and gearbox cooling, environmental and avionics cooling, and power electronics cooling. As the demand for sustainable solutions accelerates, additive manufacturing is setting new performance benchmarks, delivering advanced thermal management solutions that conventional methods cannot achieve. Watch: News video of the Vertiia For more information: Conflux Technology AMSL Aero Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next