The Global Media Site for Entertainment.
Menu
TAIT talks with Jim Love, their VP of Engineering and Head of Navigator at TAIT about the evolution of the TAIT Navigator Automation Platform, its hardware and software and its newest software product, iQ powered by Navigator.
Jim Love: Sure. In a nutshell, Navigator is a powerful entertainment automation platform that maximizes the creative potential for live events. The platform consists of hardware and software products that are designed to control any interface, system or device, from industrial-factory robots to light and sound desks, to winches and pulleys that fly performers through the air to create the most dynamic live event experiences.
Yes! It operates more than just stage machinery like winches and lifts. By adding specific products to the platform, we can provide show control to coordinate all the technical aspects of a project.
So, you can think of hardware products as the physical products on the backend which run Navigator’s software products on the front end. For example, our operator consoles, such as Antares, Atlas, Centauri, Compass, or Polaris, would be considered hardware products as well as the hardware products running on the backend such as NAV ESA, NAV Server, NAV Point, or the Estop Pendant.
Hardware products are used to control the individual pieces of equipment as well as act as the platform’s safety system. On the other hand, Navigator software products include the Navigator GUI and iQ powered by NAVIGATOR. Software products allow users to interact with the platform while the hardware products are doing all of the behind the scenes work such as keeping the system safe, moving the motors, or controlling the hydraulics. Make sense?
You certainly do not have to be an automation genius to run Navigator. In fact, Navigator is used in so many facets of entertainment and each facet uses the platform’s capabilities in a different way. For example, a Navigator user could be a high school student on summer break operating a ride at a theme park.
On the flip side, it can also be used by the smartest automation tech in the business who is operating the most complex show in a very short amount of time. Needless to say, the prospective Navigator user varies depending on how they intend to use the platform, but at TAIT, we strive to simplify the Navigator automation platform as much as possible so that all roadies, operators, programmers or commissioners can operate it.
We like to classify Navigator users into three categories: operators, programmers, and commissioners. Operators are the people who are actually running the show at the time of the event. Programmers are the people who configure the system and code the cues for the show during rehearsals. Commissioners are the people who set up all of the Navigator equipment (i.e. hardware and software products) and ensure that all gear is communicating properly with each other and ready to be used safely.
This process actually happens in reverse order though. Typically, the first step is to commission the Navigator platform to the show’s creative needs. After the show is commissioned, the system is handed off to programmers to program and cue the show during rehearsals with the intentions to hand off the system to the operators who are operating the show in real time.
In the TAIT world, our controls integrators act as commissioners who set up the gear specific to our client’s needs. Typically a controls integrator from TAIT will attend rehearsals to ensure that the client’s programmers are cueing the show correctly and that the Navigator platform is ready for the automation operator to hit ‘go’ on opening night.
Although, we do have clients who purchase our Navigator hardware and software products and then commission, program and operate the system themselves.
Something that is especially unique about the Navigator Platform is that it has continued to evolve to be more flexible, more reliable, more compatible and more powerful than ever before. We have spent the past decade building Navigator from the ground up. Our Boulder, CO office, aka the epicenter of all things Navigator, is constantly working on writing new modules, new code and new interfaces so that Navigator can adapt to the creative demands of a live event as fast as possible, be compatible to sync with any device or show component and to truly be the ‘secret’ ingredient to creating the most spectacular live event experience.
The core principles of Navigator have remained the same but it’s a modular platform; so, we can build all sorts of modules on top of what it already knows. Navigator’s internal learning system is so smart that it has remembered every piece of code, module or algorithm that we have ever asked it to do dating back to its first use in time.
Our newest software product is iQ powered by NAVIGATOR. iQ combines the power of Navigator with an intuitive interface to simplify the user experience and maximize the creative flexibility in live events. It is designed to easily program motion, sound, video and cameras within a single UI as well as optimize workflows to enhance the deeper functionality of live events.
The idea for iQ focused on simplifying the user experience while operating a show by providing not only a more practical interface but by also providing online training that is available anytime, anywhere. Having online training available at the palms of your hands serves as a real advantage to users because they can master the ins-and-outs of iQ quickly and efficiently which allows users to adapt to the ever-changing creative demands of a show.
iQ software is ideal for theatres, cruise ships, universities, corporate and brand activations as well as temporary installations. As Navigator continues to evolve, we are forecasting that iQ will grow to be an essential tool for each of our markets. We continue to see success within the iQ software as we test it with the bigger, more powerful automation functions. Eventually, we intend for iQ to surpass what the Navigator GUI can do.
No, and I am glad that you asked this. Navigator GUI is our software that runs on the Navigator Platform. iQ is the next generation software that also runs on our Navigator Platform.
Actually, iQ made its debut at the 2017 American Music Awards this past November (2017). For the show, iQ automated all of the TAIT gear that tracked the video screens on and off the stage. The AMA’s were an excellent example of iQ in action! As we move forward in 2018, I think it’s safe to say that iQ will be more common in TAIT projects and we expect to have it available for rent/purchase by Q3 of 2018.
Also on TheatreArtLife:
Dani Bellar Pilukas: Principal Show Programmer For Walt Disney Imagineering
Safety: The Show Must Go On – Or Does It?
TAIT is the World Market Leader in designing, constructing and delivering the finest live event solutions in the world. Whether it’s creating awe-inspiring spectaculars, complex touring stages, theatre engineering solutions, brand activations or cruise ship installations, TAIT delivers world-class solutions for live experiences. With its proprietary entertainment automation platform, custom-made products, and creative engineering, TAIT’s cutting-edge offerings continue to advance industry standards and exceed client expectations. As a global network of over 600 employees in 12 office locations, TAIT has worked on projects in over 30 countries, all 7 continents and even outer space. TAIT’s diverse group of clients include Taylor Swift, Cirque Du Soleil, The Metropolitan Opera House, NASA, National Geographic, Beyoncé and The Olympics. TAIT Talks is a blog curated by TAIT's leadership team with talking points that include industry insights, trending topics, how-to’s, challenges, solutions and more.
Read Full Profile
© 2021 TheatreArtLife. All rights reserved.
Thank you so much for reading, but you have now reached your free article limit for this month.
Our contributors are currently writing more articles for you to enjoy.
To keep reading, all you have to do is become a subscriber and then you can read unlimited articles anytime.
Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals.
