PhotoRobot
Company typePrivate
IndustryPhotographic hardware and software
Founded2004
FounderKamil Hrbáček
Headquarters,
Czech Republic
Websitephotorobot.com

PhotoRobot

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PhotoRobot is a Czech company that manufactures hardware and software for product photography, 360 product photography, and photogrammetry 3D modeling. It was founded in 2004 by Kamil Hrbáček in Prague.

History

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PhotoRobot was initially developed in 2004 by Kamil Hrbáček for uni-max, a tool retailer e-shop. It was for internal use only: to photograph tools and machinery, and to distribute product imagery online. The first commercial customers were Colorlux Studios (Verona, Italy), and MyClip Studios (Munich, Germany). Today, PhotoRobot has approximately 2,500 installations in operation across 6 continents (North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and Africa).

Products

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The product range focuses on product photography hardware and proprietary software for use in a photographic studio or warehouse environment. It has been in development since 2005 and includes specialized photography robots, motorized turntables, a larger car turntable, and robotic arm camera systems. These all integrate with professional cameras, studio lighting, and other photographic equipment via software for robotic process automation (RPA). The software functions as a workflow management system with automatic digital image processing, digital asset management (DAM), and API connection to 3rd party systems.[1] Additionally, all devices have an object positioning system, and can function in combination with other systems like rotating mannequins for fashion photography.

Software

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  • 2005 - 2016: BASIP (Controls were available only for robots, cameras, and photographic lighting. Image processing was provided by 3rd party software, such as SpinMe Studio, YaWah Server which was later acquired by Adobe Scene 7, FSI Viewer, and others.)
  • 2014 - Present: PhotoRobot Controls Software (Controls are available for all robots, cameras, studio lights, accessories, and other photographic equipment with local, hybrid, or cloud-based operation. Image post-processing is now in the software, and includes: automated digital image processing, image editing, backup, and delivery. It can produce photography according to GS1 and other industry standards.)
  • 2014 - Present: PhotoRobot Locator (Controls includes a utility feature to search for and configure robots over the local area network.)
  • 2024 - Present: PhotoRobot Touch (Controls includes an iOS app to identify objects via QR code, SKU barcodes, or Universal Product Code. Image capture is possible using an iPhone. Operations are guided by a software Wizard, from picture-taking to image upload, cloud post-processing, and file delivery.)

Applications

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Still product photography is commonly employed for marketing purposes, product listings for online stores, and also to adhere to GS1 standards. This category of photography uses product-only images, often on a simple white background to minimize distractions. Product stills typically capture details of the object such as its size, material, silhouette, and color. Images may also capture barcodes, SKUs, ingredients, or nutritional and on-package data.

Meanwhile, the production of 360 product photography is primarily for eCommerce and eCommerce businesses. It aims to better inform online shoppers through more realistic product imagery. In eCommerce, 360 spins have been linked to increased conversions as well as lower return rates of unwanted products[2].

Further, the production of a high-quality 360 spin consists of usually 24, 36 or more photos around an object. These individual photos provide multiple still images, which businesses employ in packshot galleries in addition to 360 spins.[3] In other cases, it is possible to create a 360 spin by video production, using a video loop of the rotating object rather than stitching together a series of still images.

However, when producing spin photography, it becomes possible to also use photogrammetry software to digitize photos into a 3D object model. 3D scanning is often used to create interactive product experiences, or as digital assets for augmented reality and virtual reality applications.[4] They may support for example the digitization of museum collection items, artifacts, and antiques in order to preserve valuable objects of cultural heritage for online academia and research.[5]

Robotic process automation (RPA) to support still, 360, and 3D product photography can therefore help businesses to simplify, standardize, and speed up routine as well as more complex photography production processes. This in turn can lead to reduced operational costs, less labor requirements, and quicker time to market.

Locations

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  • 2004 - Present (Production): Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2004 - Present (Sales): Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2024 - Present (Sales): New York, NY (USA)

Sales

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  • Direct Sales and Support: USA, EU, Global
  • Additional Support: Local Application, OEM Partners

Languages

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  • Company Website: 98
  • PhotoRobot Controls Software: 6 (English, and Auto-translated from English to Chinese, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, Polish, French, Dutch, and to other languages on request)
  • PhotoRobot Touch iPhone Control App: 2 (English, Czech)
  • Robot OS: 1 (English)

Cameras

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  • 2004 - Present: 3rd party camera synchronization via wire shutter, 3rd party software, and watched folder for data exchange
  • 2008 - Present: Canon
  • 2004 - 2024 (March): Nikon

Photography Lighting

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  • 2004 - Present: FOMEI (Strobes, LED)
  • 2004 - Present: Broncolor Siros (Strobes)
  • 2004 - Present: RotoLight (LED)
  • 2016 - Present: DMX Standard Compatible Lights (LED)
  • 2016 - Present: Profoto D2 (Strobes)

Operating System

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  • MacOS: PhotoRobot Controls (2014 - Present)
  • iOS: PhotoRobot Locator (2014 - Present); PhotoRobot Touch (2024 - Present)
  • Android: PhotoRobot Locator (2014 - Present)
  • Linux: PhotoRobot Controls (2014 - 2016)
  • Microsoft Windows: PhotoRobot Controls (2004 - Present)

Development

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Cloud Integration

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Downloads

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References

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  1. ^ "FAQs about PhotoRobot - Technology, Use, Costs & Delivery". www.photorobot.com. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  2. ^ "10 Ways 360° & 3D Spin Photography Increase Sales". SlideShare. 2014-09-23. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  3. ^ PhotoRobot (2024-03-04). How One Click Captures All Your Product Images - PhotoRobot. Retrieved 2024-11-27 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ PhotoRobot (2024-04-22). How to Create 3D Models from Product Photos - PhotoRobot. Retrieved 2024-11-27 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ "ih3d - Virtual Wardrobe". ih3d.cesnet.cz. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
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