Revolutionizing Performance Tracking: Naostage’s AI Innovations
The world of live performances is undergoing a remarkable transformation, thanks to the innovative tracking solutions developed by the French company Naostage. Over a year ago, Naostage teamed up with Novatech Creative Event Technology in Adelaide to bring their cutting-edge AI-powered technology to the Australian market. This collaboration represents one of the most impressive applications of artificial intelligence in the event industry to date. At the heart of this development is Naostage’s K SYSTEM, which combines advanced cameras, processors, and sophisticated software to provide seamless, beaconless tracking of performers. The AI technology automatically locks onto a performer as soon as they step onto the stage or enter the performance area, ensuring that they are always in focus.
Novatech was quick to recognize the potential of this powerful system and made a significant investment in what is considered a top-tier setup. This sophisticated system generates PSN (PosiStageNet) or OSC data from the performer's location, enabling it to control not only followspot lighting fixtures but also send signals to immersive audio processors like d&b audiotechnik’s Soundscape or L-Acoustics’ L-ISA, as well as video and other show control systems.
The components of the K SYSTEM include the KAPTA sensor bar, the KORE processor, and the Kratos software. The KAPTA sensor utilizes a variety of cameras—visible light, thermal, and near-infrared (NIR)—to effectively monitor the stage under any circumstances, whether it be total darkness or heavy smoke. This patented technology employs the KORE processor, guided by the KRATOS software, to identify and track individual performers within a user-defined area.
Leko Novakovic, the Managing Director of Novatech, shared an experience from a recent tour with artist Tones and I: "We took the K System on tour, performing at arenas including Rod Laver in Melbourne. We set up one KAPTA on the front truss, which covered the entire 18-meter-wide stage. Initially, we planned to track just Tones, but her team requested we also track her dancers. In the end, we successfully tracked both Tones and multiple dancers, and the system performed flawlessly!"
While the K SYSTEM remains Naostage’s flagship solution for comprehensive show control, the company has recently unveiled a new product called YouTrack. This manual tracking system caters to the practical needs of live entertainment, offering ease of deployment, operational flexibility, and the potential for future AI automation. YouTrack promises to deliver reliable tracking capabilities for productions of all sizes.
YouTrack comprises two key components: the KAM, a robust RGB camera designed for high performance with Power over Ethernet (PoE) and IP67 ratings, ensuring consistent visual quality even under low-light conditions, and the NUK, a compact computer pre-configured with KRATOS that delivers outstanding real-time processing performance.
With YouTrack, Naostage introduces a novel concept; users can begin with a potent manual tracking system and smoothly transition into AI automation as their production requirements increase. This approach offers unparalleled flexibility and long-term value.
In addition to the original KORE processor, Naostage has introduced the new “Kore S,” which limits the AI capabilities to processing four video streams (either one KAPTA or four KAMS), whereas the KORE processor can handle up to eight video streams at once, accommodating combinations such as two KAPTA units, eight KAMs, or one KAPTA alongside four KAMs.
This expansion in interoperability and scalability means that any production can create a custom system tailored to their specific needs, while also benefiting from broader compatibility with various third-party AV systems.
Leko explains, "This enhanced flexibility empowers smaller productions or venues to leverage Naostage’s technology and scale it as their demands evolve. It also enables AV professionals to target integration or architectural markets with a cost-effective yet creative system."
Thanks to AI handling the tracking process, using the system is incredibly straightforward. "Setup and calibration take about 20 to 30 minutes for an experienced operator," notes Leko. During rehearsals or live performances, operators simply assign a performer in the target patcher, and the system will automatically follow them. Users can configure the system to fade in as the performer enters, fade out upon exit, and track them using a combination of lights. In Novatech’s case, the KORE outputs control data directly to their grandMA3 lighting consoles, but the possibilities are endless; one could envision dynamically activated video backgrounds that respond to the performer’s movements or adjusting audio reverberation settings based on the position of sound sources.
With the Naostage YouTrack system priced significantly lower than a full K SYSTEM, and the K SYSTEM featuring KAMs and a KORE S available at half the price of high-end alternatives, Naostage’s solutions stand competitively against other leading tracking systems. Now is an opportune moment for production companies, theaters, and venues to explore these tracking options.
Novatech plans to have demonstration systems ready for evaluation; reach out to them for an opportunity to experience it firsthand! "We believe this will become a best-seller," concludes Leko.
