New partnership looks to make Yorkshire a powerhouse for robotics in TV production

The agreement seeks to reduce the cost of using robotics on production sets.

Initial research projects will include programming robotic arms in XPLOR’s virtual production studio, using BOW to deploy robotic arms for inhospitable live-action shooting environments, fully automated tracking solutions and live performance integration at Production Park.

In 2022, the creative industries contributed around £125 billion to the UK economy and supports over two million jobs. A spokesperson said: “The potential for using robotics in film and TV production is huge, but largely untapped due to the complexity and cost of programming robots.”

Nick Thompson, CEO of BOW said: “BOW’s partnership with XPLOR will push the boundaries of what is possible in the creative industries through robotics.

"BOW will serve as a technical backbone, empowering XPLOR to integrate robotics seamlessly into live events and scripted productions, from the biggest film and television productions to star-studded live event performances. Our technology will not only enable the development of innovative new applications, it will also streamline operations - enhancing efficiency and reducing the cost of deploying robotics on set.”

Phil Adlam, CTO of Production Park, and Head of XPLOR said: “Our partnership with BOW is a transformative step in the evolution of live event and content production.

"By integrating BOW's state-of-the-art robotics platform into our operations, we are empowering our team and creative partners to explore newfound possibilities, redefining what can be achieved both on stage and on screen.

"This collaboration positions us at the forefront of innovation, and as we embark on new R&D projects together, we are excited to share groundbreaking use cases for robotics that will shape the future of the creative industries.”

The UK is Europe’s largest film and TV production centre and is second only to the US in total screen production output.