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ROBE RoboSpot Follow System troubleshooting
The ROBE RoboSpot Follow System problems live-event techs bring to Ask Roadie most (also called BaseStation, Robo Spot, RoboSpot). Pick your symptom, or describe your own in plain words, and get the likeliest fix first, with the manual page when there is one.
Common RoboSpot Follow System errors & problems
What techs run into most, and what's usually behind it. The step-by-step fix for your exact unit is in Ask Roadie.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
BaseStation specs, controls and connectors reference
Likely cause: Baseline hardware facts an operator/tech needs for power, patch and transport planning.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Confirm the console signal is actually reaching the BaseStation
Likely cause: The feedback icon isolates whether the fault is upstream (console/patch) or in the RoboSpot itself, saving guesswork during a show.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Hard to see which dimmer/iris parameters are active per fixture
Likely cause: Explicit per-fixture status colors remove ambiguity about which parameters the operator currently controls.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
How to update RoboSpot BaseStation + FollowSpot Controller software
Likely cause: Robe distributes RoboSpot software via the Uploader over Ethernet; updating BaseStation and controller together keeps them in sync.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Keeping the beam centered on the performer while panning/tilting/zooming
Likely cause: The overlay compensates for the offset between camera view and beam as optics move, so the reticle stays on the actual hot-spot.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
MotionCamera or fixture does not respond independently / mirrors another unit
Likely cause: DMX is address-based; overlapping channel ranges send the same data to multiple devices, which is the most common independent-control failure.
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MotionCamera specs, power and mounting
Likely cause: Camera provides the first-person tracking view; knowing its footprint, power and channel count is required for patch and rig.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Movement between stored positions snaps instead of moving smoothly
Likely cause: A defined fade time interpolates pan/tilt (and channel) moves over time, giving controlled automatic tracking between points.
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Rigging the MotionCamera and controlled fixtures overhead
Likely cause: Remote operation does not remove the mechanical fall risk of the hung hardware; secondary safeties and WLL compliance prevent dropped-fixture incidents.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Run RoboSpot over Ethernet without an XLR DMX cable to the BaseStation
Likely cause: sACN carries DMX over IP; native support removes the copper DMX drop to the booth and simplifies large-venue cabling.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Which fixtures are RoboSpot-compatible
Likely cause: RoboSpot only overlays follow-spot control onto fixtures whose personalities it supports; picking a supported fixture avoids no-control situations.
Not on the list? Describe it your way, or paste the error code off the display. Ask Roadie works the problem with you until it's fixed or you have a clear next move.
How Ask Roadie helps with the RoboSpot Follow System
- 1. Pick the ROBE RoboSpot Follow System. It's already in the list.
- 2. Describe what you're seeing. In your own words, or the error code off the screen.
- 3. Get the likeliest fix first. Steps in order, the manual page when there is one, and a note when other techs have confirmed it.
- 4. Still broken? Tap 👎 and it keeps going from where you left off.
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