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Adding a Track Axis to a Tracker App or Mimic Recording

Summary

When using the MRMC Tracker App to record robot moves, the track (dolly) axis is not recorded by the app — only the arm axes (pan, tilt, roll, X, Y, Z) are captured via the phone's IMU. To incorporate track movement into a Tracker App or Mimic recorded move, the answer is to switch kinematics to Master Arm mode and record the track axis separately. Ben Myers proposed a more advanced experimental approach: remove the track from kinematics entirely and run it in push moco mode, with a second operator physically pushing the dolly while a third controls the arm with the Tracker App.

Community Guidance

[RESOLVED] Use Master Arm Kinematics to Add Track

Community — Adam Shone, Ivan — March 2025

Adam Shone: "Is it possible to add a track move to a mimic recording from the iPad tracker app?"

Ivan: "Master arm."

In Master Arm kinematics mode, the track axis operates independently of the arm — you can manually record or add track keyframes to the move separately from the arm mimic recording. The arm follows the recorded tracker path while track is controlled as its own axis.

Setup:

  1. Import the Tracker App CSV move into Flair.
  2. Switch kinematics to Master Arm (not Master Track).
  3. In Mimic/Live mode, re-record or manually add track keyframes to the imported move.
  4. The arm executes the tracker-recorded path; the track follows the added keyframes.

confidence_score: 0.83

[INFORMATIONAL] Experimental Push Moco Approach

Community — Ben Myers — March 2025

Ben Myers: "I haven't had a chance yet but I want to experiment with removing the track from the kinematics and running it in push moco mode. Use mimic to record the track as its own axis and use the tracker app to control the arm. Then someone can essentially push the track by hand to create dolly movements while someone else controls the arm with the app and someone else can pull focus."

This three-operator workflow assigns: - Operator 1: Physically pushes the dolly (track in push moco mode — freewheel). - Operator 2: Controls arm with Tracker App (arm mimic recording). - Operator 3: Pulls focus.

The combined move is recorded simultaneously as the crew performs it — a more organic, handheld-style dolly approach. This has not been confirmed in production but is technically feasible.

confidence_score: 0.75

[INFORMATIONAL] Master Track vs Master Arm for Track Moves

Community

Mode Behaviour
Master Track Moving the track physically moves the base, compensating the arm to hold camera position. Best for repositioning between shots.
Master Arm Track and arm operate independently. Best for recording track movement as part of a programmed move alongside an arm mimic.

For adding an independently programmed dolly to a tracker-recorded arm move, Master Arm is the correct setting.

confidence_score: 0.85

Official Documentation