NAB2026
Shotoku Aura Swoop 220
Shotoku USA, the North American business unit of Shotoku Broadcast Systems, will be exhibiting at NAB 2026 and announcing significant new features for its platform (Booth number: C381). Leading the way is the world premiere of the Shotoku advanced PTZ solution suite, “Aura.” This brings the company’s expertise in high-end robotic camera control to the rapidly evolving field of PTZ production. In addition to Aura, numerous other new products are planned, including the official launch of the “Swoop” robotic crane series for the North American market and the release of the innovative referencing system “Quick-Ref.” At its NAB booth, the company will demonstrate its entire lineup of user-friendly robotic camera control systems.
Shotoku Aura and TR-XPTZ control systems
As PTZ cameras improve in image quality and performance, major broadcasters, congressional bodies, and global corporations are successfully integrating these cameras into broadcast-quality production environments. However, a lack of sophisticated and scalable control systems is often a challenge in these deployments.
Shotoku announced the “Aura TR-XPTZ Control System” at NAB, stating that it will address this need. It is a powerful yet simple platform specifically designed for professional PTZ production.
The TR-XPTZ, which inherits the core architecture of Shotoku’s flagship product, the TR-XT control system, optimizes the smooth operation, reliability, and advanced functionality for multi-camera operation that broadcasters demand, specifically for PTZ environments. As a result, Shotoku has created a cost-effective system that functions seamlessly without compromising the performance that has built its position as a world-leading supplier of remote camera control systems for over 20 years.
The main advantages are as follows:
- This system achieves a level of control and automation previously only seen in full-fledged broadcast robot systems, while remaining user-friendly and high-performance.
- While maintaining the powerful and intuitive multi-camera, multi-user operation capabilities of the TR-XT, it eliminates elements unnecessary for PTZ-specific workflows, resulting in a meticulously refined user experience.
- Features that seamlessly support manual and automated workflows in productions of all scales.
TR-XPTZ marks the beginning of a broad ecosystem designed by Shotoku to improve both the physical and operational performance of PTZ systems. Combining extensive robotic control expertise with a visionary perspective on rapidly expanding PTZ applications, the Aura series provides the reliability and advanced functionality demanded by major broadcasters and international organizations, which Shotoku considers its strength.
Shotoku entering the North American market
Following its announcement at IBC 2025, Shotoku is officially launching “Swoop” in the North American market. Developed as an alternative to manually operated cranes and jibs, Swoop overcomes the challenges common to traditional jibs and cranes, such as the need for one or two dedicated operators and the inability to closely integrate with robotic camera systems. Swoop solves these problems while integrating creativity, controllability, and safety into a single, sophisticatedly designed system.
The Swoop is available in two sizes: the “Swoop 140” with a boom arm reach of 140cm and the “Swoop 220” with a reach of 220cm. Both models combine precise engineering with Shotoku’s reliability, allowing production directors to confidently and easily shoot and accurately reproduce sweep shots.
Swoop offers two base options to suit different production needs and budgets. The SmartPed robot base (Swoop SP) allows for completely free movement within the studio floor thanks to its remotely controlled X/Y axis positioning capabilities. The manual base, on the other hand, provides a cost-effective solution when the base only needs to be moved manually between shots or programs.
Swoop seamlessly integrates with Shotoku’s advanced control system, TR-XT, to provide complete control over the cranes within the studio. The TR-XT’s StudioView display shows Swoop’s position relative to other cameras. Furthermore, the SoftRail system ensures that Swoop SP is controlled along a precisely defined SoftRail path, resulting in accurate, safe, and consistent movement throughout the entire floor.
Safety Systems
Safety is paramount, and the Swoop system is designed from the ground up with this as its top priority. Multiple intelligent proximity sensors are mounted along the entire length of the arm and above and below the payload to detect obstacles and form a dynamic protective “bubble” that stops all movement and prevents collisions.
“Swoop pushes broadcast expression to new heights and to unprecedented low levels,” James Eddershaw, Managing Director of Shotoku, commented.
“Swoop expands creative possibilities while providing the operational flexibility and security required for modern live production.”
Quick-Ref: Seamless referencing functionality for SmartPed and Swoop-SP
Shotoku also introduced Quick-Ref, a new feature that represents a simple yet groundbreaking advancement in the navigation of its robotic pedestals in SmartPed and Swoop-SP. Quick-Ref uses miniature floor markers with QR codes, about the size of a postage stamp. As the pedestal passes over the marker, the position data is automatically read, and the internal navigation is frequently updated and error-corrected without requiring operator intervention.
Unlike conventional home tiles or complex external optical tracking systems, Quick-Ref has the following features:
- Low cost
- Easy to install
- Can be placed within the main set
- Fully autonomous driving – no operator intervention required.
Therefore, it will be possible to rereference more frequently and easily without interrupting production, and long-term positional accuracy will also improve.
