Xfinity
Robovac
- agency
- Goodby Silverstein
- director
- Peter Thwaites
- director of photography
- Joost Van Gelder
- production company
- The Corner Shop
- production designer
- John Ebden
Behind the scenes
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.