CineArm
Dobot · collaborative arms

Choosing an arm

CineArm currently supports five models, and all of them can be rehearsed virtually with no hardware. Check the “Supported” table first to confirm your arm is covered, then pick payload and reach.

Supported by CineArm

These are the models registered in the current release. “Physical robot” means the app can take over a real arm and read its feedback; virtual rehearsal works for every row.

ModelMax payloadProtocolPhysical robotVirtualJ1J2J3
Nova 55 kgV4 YesYes ±359.8°±180°±160°
CR55 kgV3 YesYes ±180°±180°±160°
CR1010 kgV3 YesYes ±355°±355°±160°
CR10A / CR10V10 kgV4 YesYes ±358°±358°±162°
CR20A20 kgV4 NoYes ±360°±360°±169°

Three notes: CR10V shares its project configuration with CR10A, so treat them as one option when selecting. CR20A currently ships as a virtual model only — no physical feedback yet — which makes it a good fit for blocking in software. CR5 and CR10 are previous-generation models; refer to the manufacturer's older datasheets for full specs.

Three steps to a tier

The spec sheets look long, but only three things really decide it.

01

Add up the weight, then leave headroom

Body, lens, gimbal, quick-release plate and cabling — add it all, then keep 20–30% in reserve. Long lenses push the centre of mass outward, so torque matters more than weight.

02

Reach, not height

Reach decides how far the lens can travel. If the move runs back and forth along a line, the reach has to cover both ends — not just the middle.

03

Read the environment

Dust or water: IP68 series. Contact with people or props: CRAF with force sensing. Very fast repositioning: CRH.

Series comparison

The “Supported” column shows whether the current CineArm release can connect to a physical unit. Everything else can still be blocked out on the virtual arm.

CRA series

High precision 3–30 kg

The general-purpose line, with repeatability down to ±0.02 mm and IP54 across the range. CR16AL and CR6AL are the extended-reach variants; CR20A supports up to 25 kg for palletising.

ModelSupportedMax payloadReachWeightRepeatabilityJ1/J2 speedJ3 range
CR3A—3 kg620 mm16.5 kg±0.02 mm180°/s±155°
CR5A—5 kg900 mm25 kg±0.02 mm180°/s±160°
CR7A—7 kg800 mm24.5 kg±0.02 mm180°/s±160°
CR10A✓10 kg1300 mm40 kg±0.03 mm150°/s±160°
CR12A—12 kg1200 mm39.5 kg±0.03 mm150°/s±160°
CR16A—16 kg1000 mm40 kg±0.03 mm150°/s±160°
CR16AL—16 kg1300 mm40 kg±0.04 mm110°/s±160°
CR20A✓20 kg1700 mm73 kg±0.05 mm120°/s±165°
CR30A—30 kg1305 mm70 kg±0.05 mm120°/s±165°
CR6AL—6 kg1800 mm41.5 kg±0.05 mm150°/s±170°

Nova series

Compact 2 / 5 kg

Built for commercial and light setups. Light enough that one person can reposition it on stage. Nova 5 is the model currently integrated.

ModelSupportedMax payloadReachWeightRepeatabilityNoiseIP rating
Nova 2—2 kg625 mm11 kg±0.05 mm65 dB(A)IP54
Nova 2s—2 kg500 mm11 kg±0.05 mm65 dB(A)IP54
Nova 5✓5 kg850 mm14 kg±0.05 mm70 dB(A)IP54

CRAF series

Force control Built-in 6-axis sensor

A high-precision six-axis force sensor sits inside the flange, so force-controlled applications deploy quickly without an external sensor. Suited to compliant contact, hand-guiding and constant pressure.

ModelSupportedMax payloadReachWeightRepeatabilityForce / torque range
CR5AF—5 kg900 mm25.5 kg±0.02 mm150 N / 15 Nm
CR10AF—10 kg1300 mm40.5 kg±0.03 mm300 N / 30 Nm
CR20AF—20 kg1700 mm74 kg±0.05 mm500 N / 50 Nm

CRA-IP68 series

High protection Dust · moisture

Rated IP68 for dusty and wet environments — exterior work, car rigs, near water, or high-dust stages. Cleaning is also more forgiving than on standard models.

ModelSupportedMax payloadReachWeightRepeatabilityIP rating
CR3AP—3 kg620 mm16.5 kg±0.02 mmIP68
CR5AP—5 kg900 mm25 kg±0.02 mmIP68
CR10AP—10 kg1300 mm40 kg±0.03 mmIP68
CR20AP—20 kg1700 mm73 kg±0.05 mmIP68

CRH series

300°/s Heavy and fast

High-speed heavy-lift models: 30 kg payload with 1800 mm reach and joint speeds up to 300°/s, for quick repositioning over long moves.

ModelSupportedMax payloadReachWeightRepeatabilityJoint speedIP rating
CR30H—30 kg1800 mm100 kg±0.05 mm300°/sIP65
CR30HT—30 kg1800 mm102 kg±0.05 mm300°/sIP65
CR30H-Food—30 kg1800 mm100 kg±0.05 mm300°/sIP67

Four-axis series

Desktop industrial

Desktop four-axis units for small-batch, high-variety automation. Not the main choice for six-axis moves, but they save space on fixed push, pull and lift shots.

ModelSupportedRated payloadReachAxesRepeatabilityWeight
M1 Pro—1.5 kg400 mm4±0.02 mm15.7 kg
MG400—0.5 kg (max 0.75)440 mm4±0.05 mm8 kg

Buying and inspection notes

These do not show up on a datasheet. Worth confirming before you pay.

1Confirm joint travel first

Some CR units ship with ±180° rather than ±360° on J4/J5/J6, which limits roll and tilt. Confirm the actual configuration with the seller — the model number alone is not enough.

2Brake type changes where it stops

Electromagnetic and plunger brakes behave differently when they come to rest. For film work, prefer the electromagnetic brake version. If you end up with a plunger brake, verify the end position carefully so the arm cannot contact the camera body or lens in motion.

3Test it, don't trust the sheet

Have the arm extend and retract at the wrist and watch for creep or judder at low speed. If you can, bring a mounting plate and counterweight and try the actual unit on site.

4Some vibration is normal

Collaborative joints use harmonic drives, which have inherent compliance. Slight vibration at the long J2 and J3 links in an extended pose is expected. Noticeable vibration is what warrants checking assembly or payload.

What ships with it

Not part of the arm spec, but it decides your footprint and power.

ItemFitsKey specs
Controller CC262 / CC263CRA 3–16 kg345 × 345 × 145 mm · 9.5 kg (AC) / 8.5 kg (DC)
Controller CC262 / CC263CRA 20–30 kg400 × 400 × 175 mm · 15.5 kg (AC)
Controller CC365CR30H400 × 190 × 400 mm · 19 kg
SimBOXNova series193 × 122 × 35 mm · 0.8 kg
TP10 teach pendantCollaborative series10.1" · 1920 × 1200 · IP54 · 1.02 kg
VX500 smart cameraVision5 MP · 1/1.7" · global shutter

“Supported” reflects the model registry in the current CineArm release. Other figures come from the Dobot Industrial Product Selection Handbook (2026-02, spec edition). Shipping configurations and specifications are subject to Dobot's latest published data — confirm joint ranges, brake type and interface options with your supplier.