One more sleep……..and Ed Sheeran!

What do Ed Sheeran and Quantum of the Seas have in common?

Roboscreens that’s what!

None the wiser, well even though we have been constantly updated about the new technology on board Quantum of the Seas I found it difficult to imagine how these must work.

On Tuesday night I attended an Ed Sheeran concert in Manchester and saw this amazing technology in use.

An explanation of what they are straight from the design team behind them is detailed below for all you technology buffs out there.

A RoboScreen is a graphical screen mounted to the arm of an ABB articulated arm robot, which creates a unique viewer experience by bringing virtually unlimited, 6-axis movement to the video media. Available in various sizes, the Two70° RoboScreens feature six ABB IRB 6620 robots, each holding a 100” diagonal Daktronics LED screen. Housed in the ceiling while not in use, during shows in Two70° the RoboScreens will extend down on the gantry to a position above the stage, displaying unique video and imagery while performing choreographed movements, all custom produced for the specific performance.

Developed by Andy Flessas (aka andyRobot) in conjunction with ABB, RoboScreens first gained prominence in 2010 when five large models travelled the globe as main stage props for the Bon Jovi Circle Tour. They have since added visual intrigue to a concert tour by Kis-My-Ft2, a Japanese Pop band; the Las Vegas house show for deadmau5, world famous music producer and performer; and the Ultra-Music Festival in Miami. The RoboScreens being installed on the Quantum Class ships will be the first on any sort of moving vessel.

The six Royal Caribbean RoboScreens will provide a high-tech visual enhancement to live performances in Two70°, moving in preprogrammed synchronization to the show’s music and dance. The RoboScreens will periodically assemble in various formations, such as six screens in a row to form one continuous, long screen; a three by two stack to form one big square screen; or a serpentine row, much like a ‘W’ and a ‘V’ strung together. When the screens are together they can display one large cohesive video or image, and when they are apart they can display individual, coordinated images that virtually jump from screen to screen. The combined choreography of screen movement and innovative on-screen display provides an extraordinary accessory to the entertainment experience.

All that I can add is that seeing this technology in action providing a moving digital image background was pretty amazing and certainly added to the show. Here is an image from the Ed Sheeran concert showing exactly how they were used.

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