Rumors are circulating that Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC), once a global powerhouse in the camera robotics and motion control industry, is on the verge of being acquired by the Australian motion control specialist 'D2 Motion.'
D2 Motion is an independent motion control company based in Marrickville, just outside Sydney, Australia. It specializes in the development and rental of camera motion control systems for film and video production. Founded by Harry Dakanalis—who boasts an extensive background in the Australian film industry as a stunt coordinator, precision driver, and director—the company brands itself as a collective of film tech and motion control experts, operating within the same high-end cinema equipment ecosystem as MRMC.
Founded in the UK in 1966 by engineer Mark Roberts, MRMC has long led the global market for high-performance film VFX, commercials, broadcasting, and virtual production, introducing iconic precision robotic camera systems such as the Milo rig and the Bolt high-speed cinebot.
In September 2016, Nikon acquired a 100% stake in MRMC to foster synergy with its own optical technologies. However, in March 2026, approximately ten years later, Nikon sold all its shares to 'MRMC Bidco Limited,' a special purpose vehicle established by the British investment firm Blandford Capital LLP. Shocks reverberated through the industry just two months later, in May, when news broke that MRMC had entered bankruptcy and liquidation proceedings.
If the rumors of D2 Motion’s acquisition prove true, it remains to be seen whether this legendary motion control technology—which was pushed to the brink of dissolution after falling into the hands of an investment firm—can reclaim its vitality by returning to the embrace of a specialized tech peer.
[Editor's Note]
"MRMC faced the grim prospect of being dismantled immediately after leaving Nikon's umbrella and entering liquidation. Fortunately, the entity seeking the acquisition is D2 Motion—a technical specialist within the same industry—rather than mere financial capital. We hope this means the cutting-edge robotic technology of the 'Bolt' cinebot, beloved by cinematographers worldwide, will not vanish into history."
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