Theaters Sold On OU Incubator Client's Tracking, Naviation System
ROCHESTER -- Sight and Sound Theaters of Lancaster, Penn. and Branson, Mo. has agreed to purchase a TNS-400 Tracking & Navigation System customized for the entertainment industry by iTrack LLC, a tenant client of the OU INC business incubator.
This technology -- originally developed for the military and now available for a variety of commercial uses -- has been re-engineered as an overall stage management system that has the ability to track and autonomously control any group of objects in real time.
"This is a great opportunity to adapt this technology and provide the entertainment industry with a solution that will enhance their production capabilities and help inspire the creative minds of our entertainment industry partners," said iTrack CEO Jerry Atkinson. He said iTrack is working closely with Sight and Sound Theaters' technical team on a theatrical production scheduled to debut in March.
Said OU INC executive director Amy Butler: "This is a great example of how we create an environment that grows innovation. ITrack is using solutions developed for one industry to meet the needs of and create new possibilities for other industry sectors. That is the hallmark of innovation, and we're thrilled to see it taking place right here in Oakland County."
TNS-400 system is enabled by ultra wideband ranging technology developed by Time Domain of Huntsville, Ala.
"Today's live performances have become increasingly complex and require seamless integration of lighting, sound and stage management," said Rachel Reinhardt, CEO of Time Domain. "iTrack's TNS-400 system will give stage managers unprecedented knowledge of the precise location of each performer and object, improving the quality of the production while reducing the costs."
The challenge of moving sets autonomously on the Sight and Sound Theatres stage presented a hurdle that iTrack forged partnerships to help overcome.
"The collaboration between iTrack LLC, Vehicle Technologies Inc., and Niscon Inc. has brought about the ability to move set pieces in any path and orientation completely wirelessly," said Warren Keeney, Sight and Sound Theatres. "This is an inspirational and unique solution that will bring about an amazing new level of technical theater."
To learn more about iTrack and the TNS-400 system, visit www.itrack-llc.com. More about the OU incubator at www.oakland.edu/ouinc.
