DIY Motion Control Rig

I needed a motion control rig for a viral video so I hacked one together using a Lego Mindstorms kit. The NXT brick was programmed to operate at different speeds to simulate a person casually walking. The final bill for supplies was less than $500.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• lego
• motion control
• motorized dolly
• DIY
• programmable dolly
• homemade

[ionraygun]

Love it! Ive been investing a lot of time and money into motion control but never thought of Lego Mindstorms.

[mtgentry]

@ionraygun Hey thanks! What are you filming? What kind of setups have you built?

[ionraygun]

@mtgentry After a lot of research I ordered a Kessler system... I would have tried going the DIY route but have too many unfinished projects as it is!

[mtgentry]

@ionraygun Agreed, at a certain point you're better off just buying someone else's system. But for like film school kids on a budget, I think it's neat that technology has evolved to a point where they can build their own system : )

[ionraygun]

@mtgentry The PEX pipe and varying the speed to get a hand-held feel are brilliant.

[mtgentry]

@ionraygun I saw the PEX on another youtube video : ) I started off with it being a double track but then realized just one piece of pipe would suffice.

[ionraygun]

@mtgentry I'm surprised how well one piece of pipe works - obviously it helps having a very smooth floor helps.