In the latest episode of Denoised, hosts Addy Ghani and Joey Daoud dive into three significant developments at the intersection of technology and media production. The duo explores how Boston Dynamics humanoid robots are finding their way onto film sets as camera operators, analyzes the intensifying copyright battles between AI companies and content creators, and examines a promising new tool for virtual production from Stage Precision that's flying under the radar.

Humanoid Robots as Camera Operators: Progress or Gimmick?

The conversation kicks off with a discussion about WPP's recent partnership with Boston Dynamics, where they demonstrated a humanoid robot operating a camera on a virtual production set. This marks a significant evolution from industrial robotic arms like KUKA and Bolt systems that have been used in film production for years.

Ghani and Daoud share their mixed reactions to the demonstration, alternating between skepticism and fascination. The hosts point out that while industrial robot arms like those used in Kendrick Lamar's Humble video or the opening sequence of Severance have proven their worth for precise, repeatable movements, humanoid robots present both new possibilities and limitations.

Key advantages of the humanoid robot camera operator include:

• Payload capacity: The robot can hold up to 20 kilograms of equipment, potentially for long periods without fatigue

• Stability: Unlike human operators who might shake or tire, the robot can maintain completely still positions

• Adaptability: The humanoid form means it can work with existing film equipment designed for human hands

• Mobility: Unlike industrial robots that require installation and tracks, the humanoid can simply walk to new positions

However, the hosts identify significant limitations:

• Creative understanding: The robot lacks the artistic sensibility and creative decision-making of a human cinematographer

• Environmental awareness: It's unclear how well the robot understands the complexities of a film set

• Technical sophistication: The current system likely requires extensive programming rather than autonomous operation

The discussion expands to potential use cases where these robots might excel, such as:

• Concert venues where multiple camera operators are needed for extended periods

• YouTube creators who need multiple camera angles but have limited crew

• Holding LIDAR scanners for environmental mapping, where the robot can remain perfectly still

• Acting as both tripod and operator for heavy camera rigs

As Daoud notes, "At first when I'm watching this, I kept going back and forth between 'this is dumb' and 'this is cool.'" The hosts conclude that while these robots won't replace the artistry of skilled cinematographers, they could become valuable tools for specific production scenarios.

AI Copyright Battles Intensify Between Tech Giants and Creative Industries

The podcast then shifts to exploring the latest developments in AI copyright law, highlighting two opposing petitions recently making headlines:

• OpenAI, Google, and other AI companies petitioning the US government to loosen copyright laws by classifying AI training on copyrighted material as "fair use"

• 400+ Hollywood professionals urging the Trump administration to protect existing copyright on creative material

This conflict represents the clash between technology companies seeking to train their models on vast amounts of content and creative professionals concerned about protecting their intellectual property.

The hosts explore the nuances of this complex issue, with Ghani noting: "I mean, this is such an interesting time we live in and I kind of agree with both. And I also disagree with both."

Key considerations they discuss include:

• The comparison to China's AI development, where copyright restrictions are less stringent

• Different applications of AI-generated content from brainstorming vs. "final pixel" production

• The distinction between creating original content vs. deliberately imitating existing IP

• The potential for more sophisticated tracking and compensation systems for creators whose work is used in AI training

They also discuss emerging AI trends:

• Companies like Troveo and Moonvalley broker data between creators and AI firms, highlighting the surprising value of raw footage ($1–$6 per minute) and the potential for studios to monetize unused archives to license their archives of unused footage as a new revenue stream

• Adobe Content Authenticity as a possible foundation for better tracking

"I'm in the middle of it and it's more nuanced than a yes-no question," Daoud explains, suggesting that the solution lies not in all-or-nothing approaches but in developing systems that can track usage and fairly compensate creators.

The hosts draw parallels to how the music industry evolved from the chaotic early days of Napster to today's streaming services with established licensing models, suggesting the film and video industry may follow a similar path in finding solutions to AI training challenges.

Stage Precision's SP Grid: A Powerful New Tool for Virtual Production

The final segment introduces SP Grid, a new offering from Stage Precision that appears to significantly advance virtual production capabilities.

According to Ghani, this relatively unknown technology manufacturer has created something remarkable: "It feels like you can do everything that a high-end system like Pixera or Disguise or any other solutions can do and much more."

The hosts highlight several notable features of SP Grid:

• Innovative calibration method: Instead of requiring LIDAR scanning, the system uses computer vision and QR codes on LED tiles to map stages quickly

• Software-based approach: Unlike competitors requiring proprietary hardware, SP Grid can run on customers' existing equipment

• Third-party integration: The system works well with Unreal Engine and other protocols like OSC

• Versatility: Beyond film and TV production, it's well-suited for location-based installations

The conversation explores how tools like SP Grid are finding applications beyond traditional film sets, opening up opportunities in:

• Airport displays and corporate lobbies

• Interactive exhibitions and installations

• Theme park attractions

• Corporate briefing centers

This development represents the convergence of virtual production technology with traditional audio-visual installations, creating new markets for VP manufacturers.

"The level playing field is super high in the world of fancy audio visual installs," explains Ghani. "This is an area where VP manufacturers are colliding with traditional AV manufacturers for who has the most capable solution."

The hosts note that this expanded market could ultimately prove more lucrative than film and TV production alone, given the sheer number of potential installation sites worldwide.

This episode of Denoised highlights how rapidly the media production landscape continues to evolve through technological advancement. From robots operating cameras to the legal battles over AI training data to new tools making virtual production more accessible, these developments are reshaping how content is created and displayed.