Kirth Noel, a commercial filmmaker based in Essex, specializes in creating dynamic visual content that helps brands stand out. With a background in engineering and a career that began in photography, he has spent the past decade evolving his craft to support global brands with high-end video production.
By combining motion-controlled robotics with cutting-edge equipment, Kirth achieves visuals that are difficult to capture when using traditional filming methods. So, when he reached out to trial Instagrid’s portable power system to support his robotics and auxiliary equipment, our team was eager to collaborate—and even more impressed with the results.
Kirth Noel uses Instagrid ONE to power robotic arm
The Challenge
While Kirth’s studio with available grid supply doesn't require temporary power, the increasing demand for remote filming and a drive to push the boundaries of location-based storytelling have highlighted the need for reliable, portable power. These solutions must be capable of supporting highly technical equipment with the same consistency and performance as a traditional grid supply.
Enter Instagrid ONE: A Game-Changing Solution
After hearing about Instagrid, Kirth was keen to put Instagrid ONE through its paces and understand its reliability and capabilities, fueled by a desire to continue pushing boundaries and to offer his clients a truly portable motion control robotic filming solution.
Powering Motion Control Robotics
When powering a robotic system, multiple accessories and equipment must be considered. Instagrid’s portable power solution not only needed to support the multi-axis robotic arm but also multiple monitors, wireless receivers, FIZ motors, and a camera—all of which require a stable and reliable power source.
To ensure the system’s power demands were met, Kirth conducted a controlled trial using a power-monitoring device. He first measured the system’s idle power consumption before stress-testing it to understand peak requirements. While idle, the system drew approximately 300W, rising to a peak of 600W at high speed, which was well within Instagrid’s impressive 18,000W peak power capacity.
Next, Kirth tested the system’s runtime by programming a 99-point arm movement sequence lasting around 2 hours. The test consumed roughly 25% of Instagrid’s 2.1kWh battery capacity, meaning a single unit could power the setup for approximately 8 hours on location. While such an extended runtime has never been required before, the test demonstrated Instagrid’s potential for future applications.
Additionally, Instagrid’s scalability through Instagrid LINK allows users to combine up to 3 units, tripling capacity with the ability to hot swap between units with no loss of power, ensuring uninterrupted performance. All of this demonstrates the capabilities of Instagrid as a flexible, sustainable, and reliable solution for powering motion control robotics and helps ensure a limitless future for remote location filming.
“Instagrid ONE is an impressive piece of equipment for filmmakers like me who need reliable, portable power with proven performance. Simply plug in, switch on, and it's ready to go.
In remote locations with no access to power, Instagrid is a gamechanger. It allows me to provide clients with a truly portable solution, seamlessly integrate and power various equipment, and work without limitations on location."
– Kirth Noel
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Want to work with Kirth on your next production? Visit his website.