MotoCrane has unveiled its new flagship remote arm named the HYPER, as well as a smaller-sized version called the RADICAL.

MotoCrane has been around since 2017 and its goal has always been to make the “russian arm” camera car accessible to hundreds of film and TV production companies around the world.

The MotoCrane HYPER is a new remote arm designed to carry large and heavy camera packages. The HYPER was designed for optimal structural stiffness when carrying rated payloads up to 120lbs/55kg.

It features 3-axis passive dampening, and an industry-standard Mitchell Mount for stabilized heads like the MoVI XL, Shotover F1, Libra Head, GSS gimbals, Flight Head, etc.

Located within the counterweight module is the CORTEX Motor Controller Unit, a single, weather-resistant, easily serviceable motor controller unit responsible for all power delivery, motor controls, diagnostics, and data processing.

The included COMMAND Console PRO arm controller features dual-joysticks and a large 7.0” full-color touchscreen display. The user interface is accessed through the controller for configuring the arm, setting range of motion limits, and monitoring all system information like arm position, battery levels, motor temperature, etc.

The MotoCrane HYPER offers a standard reach of 14ft (4.26m), and is configurable up to 20ft (6m). It has over 4000ft-lbs of peak torque on the Swing axis, and it able to quickly move 120lbs/55kg camera packages around the vehicle 360° in less than 5.5 second. The HYPER is also rated for vehicle speeds over 100mph (160.9kph).

The INS 2 Advanced Stabilization provides arm stabilization on the Lift Axis this allows you to keep the lens height stable on uneven terrain.

Dual, on-board 48V power banks provide redundant power storage and allow HYPER to operate continuously without battery changes by charging one bank from the 12v cigarette lighter of the vehicle while the other powers the arm. The POWERLINK is a low-profile module that mounts within the vehicle and serves as a hub for power, data, and video integration. These signals are passed up through HYPER via an integrated 3G-SDI slip ring. This ensures no cables get tangled during arm swings.

According to MotoCrane, the HYPER competes at the highest level of Russian arm specifications and outperforms several comparable systems.

MotoCrane HYPER will begin shipping in September 2021. It will retail for HYPER is $139,950 USD. A loyalty discount for current MotoCrane ULTRA customers will be avaialble.

MotoCrane’s second new release is the RADICAL, a universal remote arm designed to create dynamic camera movement for filmmakers and cinematographers.

As a ‘universal’ remote arm, the system is designed to turn any car, SUV, truck, UTV, or boat into a remote stabilized camera platform.

The system features a lightweight, modular construction so that it can be broken down into smaller pieces. According to MotoCrane, the RADICAL is the first remote arm in the world to pack into a Flight Case set with each case weighing less than 70lbs (31.75kg) fully loaded for compliance with international limitations for checked media baggage. This makes it possible for teams to fly to their location and transform a rental vehicle into a full-featured arm car on site. While it is nice to be able to do this, you are going to have to factor in a lot of excess baggage costs, but then again, if you are on a large production this cost will probably be of minor concern.

RADICAL features 12′ (3.65m) of reach, and it has a maximum payload capacity of 45lbs/20kg/

RADICAL was designed to be used with compact cinema packages such as those you would use with a DJI Ronin 2, MoVI Pro, Shotover G1, etc.

It features newly-developed powertrains for the Swing and Lift axes, and it has enough torque to swing camera packages 360° in less than 6 seconds at vehicle speeds over 90mph/145kmh.

For off-road applications, available INS 2 Advanced Stabilization adds active gyro stabilization to the arm for maintaining lens height on rough terrain.

For controlling the arm, two new COMMAND Consoles have been developed, the LITE and the PRO. COMMAND Console LITE is a compact, single joystick unit that’s been optimized for size and weight with a 5.0” touchscreen display. LITE is the standard controller included with RADICAL, while the PRO version is an available upgrade featuring dual-sticks and a larger 7.0” touchscreen display. Both versions feature the same user interface for configuring the arm, setting range of motion limits, and monitoring all system information like arm position, battery levels, motor temperature, etc.

For larger payloads exceeding the standard 35lbs payload capacity of RADICAL, the HEAVYLIFT Upgrade Kit increases the payload capacity to 45lbs by structurally reinforcing the lateral stiffness of the arm.

MotoCrane RADICAL is scheduled to start shipping in September 2021 and pre-orders are now available. It will retail for $22,950 USD.

Matthew Allard is a multi-award-winning, ACS accredited freelance Director of Photography with 30 years' experience working in more than 50 countries around the world. He is the Editor of Newsshooter.com and has been writing on the site since 2010. Matthew has won 43 ACS Awards, including four prestigious Golden Tripods. In 2016 he won the Award for Best Cinematography at the 21st Asian Television Awards. Matthew is available to hire as a DP in Japan or for work anywhere else in the world.

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