Xfinity

Robovac

Screen / Commercials

Bespoke Builds & Props / Electronics

Robovac
director
Peter Thwaites
director of photography
Joost Van Gelder
production company
The Corner Shop
production designer
John Ebden

Behind the scenes

Robovac

Bespoke Oversized Robotic Vacuum Prop for Xfinity’s “Robovac”

MACHINESHOP was commissioned to design, engineer, and fabricate a highly specialized, custom practical prop for an Xfinity commercial campaign. For this project, our team custom-built a robotic vacuum cleaner prop designed to deliver an engaging visual element on set.

The embedded behind-the-scenes demonstration videos showcase the mechanical movement, integrated electronics, and physical scale of the prop asset working in real time under studio lighting rigs.

Advanced Prop Making & Mechanical Engineering

Building an oversized electronic appliance prop for a commercial film set requires a careful balance of high-fidelity model making, structural stability, and reliable mechanical automation. Our workshop team focused on creating a visually perfect, fully functional prop tailored to meet the strict demands of the director’s shot list:

  • Custom Chassis Design: Precision-fabricating a replica of a modern robotic vacuum, utilizing premium materials to ensure a sleek, photogenic finish.
  • Integrated Lighting and LED Electronics: Programming custom internal electronics and status rings to mimic real-world smart appliance interactions under high-definition cameras.
  • Macro Close-Up Ready Finish: Applying professional-grade paint systems and surface buffing to eliminate tooling marks, making the oversized prop completely ready for close-up tracking lenses.