BR14N the Robot 

We created a wearable remote manipulator system to control BRIAN, developing all of the designs, hardware and software ourselves; this drastically improved the range of movement and ease of control of BRIAN's arm functions on location. The new control system for the arms was designed to be worn by one of our technicians, to allow his own arm movements to be translated to corresponding movements on the robot.  We designed BRIAN's body panels using CAD, and cut them out using our CNC machines.

We also provided a wide range of special effects for these adverts, from rain, smoke and small pyrotechnics to props, including an electro-magnet, a docking/charging station for BRIAN, and working mini scissor lifts. The scissor lifts were operated on set using radio control transmitters, allowing them to be driven around and to be raised and lowered. On top of this, we provided rigs to allow BRIAN to appear to be lifted by an electro-magnet, and, for example, to allow his arm to be detached.

On set, BRIAN was operated by three experienced Artem technicians (to control his forward and backward motion, his head movements and his arm movements).  Throughout the shoot, however, BRIAN himself was treated like a celebrity diva: with his blinking eyes and his new range of expressive movements, it’s impossible not to believe he's a real character!