VADDIO RoboTRAK User manual
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Contents
What's in this Guide 1
Overview 1
Features 1
IR Camera 1
IRSource Lanyard 1
Unpacking the System 2
North America 3
Europe and UK 3
Australia and New Zealand 4
A Quick Look at the RoboTRAK System 5
Front of the IR Camera 5
Connectors 5
Lanyard 6
Before You Start 7
Network Requirements 7
Additional Equipment 7
Lighting and IR 7
Camera Location 9
Camera Placement – Small Room 9
Camera Placement – Medium Room 10
Camera Placement – Large Room 11
Installation 12
Don’t Void Your Warranty! 12
Cabling Notes 12
Preparing the Tracking Lanyard for Use 13
The IR Camera's Default Hostname 14
Before You Install the Camera 14
Placing the PoE Splitter 15
Installing the Camera Mount 16
Wall Installation 16
Ceiling Installation 16
Basic Connection Diagram 17
Connections for Configuring the System 17
Installing the Cameras 18
Powering Up the Cameras 19
Operation, Storage, and Care 19
Next Steps 19
Compliance Statements and Declarations of Conformity 20
FCC Part 15 Compliance 20
ICES-003 Compliance 20
1
What's in this Guide
This guide covers:
nSystem features
nUnpacking the RoboTRAK™ IR camera
nDescriptions of the hardware
nTips for a successful installation
nInstructions for installing the camera mount
nInformation on connecting and mounting the camera
nCamera power-on
The Configuration and Administration Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
provides information about pairing the IR camera to the video camera and lanyard, along with other system
configuration and administration tasks.
Complete product information is available in the Integrator's Complete Guide to the RoboTRAK
Presenter Tracking System.
Overview
This guide covers the RoboTRAK presenter tracking system with IR
camera:
nRoboTRAK (silver and black), North America – 999-9950-000
nRoboTRAK (white), North America – 999-9950-000W
nRoboTRAK (silver and black), International – 999-9950-001
nRoboTRAK (white), International – 999-9950-001W
This system requires a video camera, which is sold and documented
separately. The RoboTRAK system works with RoboSHOT™ series
cameras. Refer to the video camera's documentation for information on how
to connect and configure it.
Features
nIR-based presenter tracking for medium to large rooms
nDesigned for educators, in consultation with educators, using Vaddio's proven, industry-leading
technology
nReliable tracking: Move around, turn your head, invite others to the front of the room... the camera stays
on you
nSwitch between tracking and preset positions
nCamera sold separately – use with the RoboSHOT™ camera of your choice
IR Camera
nSimple configuration and administration using the Vaddio web interface
nAdjust the system's tracking behavior to match the presenter's style
nOperational range of 12 to 50 ft (3.7 to 12.2 m), any height from 6 to 15 ft. (1.8 to 4.6 m)
IRSource Lanyard
nNo belt pack – comfortable, highly wearable design that does not interfere with clothing
nUp to 40 hours of battery power; 25 hours typical
nRecessed switch for full power-down – Conserve battery life during storage; no risk of accidental
actuation
Unpacking the System
Make sure you received all the items you expected.
Vaddio recommends purchasing a second lanyard as a spare or for smooth transitions between multiple
presenters.
Note
In addition to the items listed here, you will need a video camera. Any RoboSHOT series camera can be
used.
If remote viewing is desired, you must use a video camera that is capable of streaming. These include
RoboSHOT 10 USB, RoboSHOT HD-SDI, and RoboSHOT 20 UHD cameras.
Caution
Always support the camera's base when picking it up. Lifting the camera by its head or mounting
arm will damage it.
Note
Copy the default hostname from the label on the bottom of the camera, and keep this information in a place
where it will be available to anyone who needs to work with the camera's web interface. This information is
required to access the camera for initial configuration, or after a factory reset.
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
North America
Part number 999-9950-000, RoboTRAK in silver and black
Part number 999-9950-000W, RoboTRAK in
white
nVaddio RoboTRAK IR camera
nPoE+ power injector
nAC cord set for North America
nPoE splitter
nPower cable, 1 ft (30 cm)
nCat-5e cable, 1 ft (30 cm)
nCat-5e cable, 10 ft (3 m)
nWall mount with mounting hardware
nIR lanyard
nUSB charger
nUSB charger cable
nFerrite bead
nQuick Start Guide
Part number 999-7271-000, additional lanyard kit (optional, purchased separately):
nLanyard
nUSB charger
nUSB charger cable
nFerrite bead
Europe and UK
Part number 999-9950-001, RoboTRAK in silver and black
Part number 999-9950-001W, RoboTRAK in
white
nVaddio RoboTRAK IR camera
nPoE+ power injector
nAC cord sets for Europe and UK
nPoE splitter
nPower cable, 1 ft (30 cm)
nCat-5e cable, 1 ft (30 cm)
nCat-5e cable, 10 ft (3 m)
nWall mount with mounting hardware
nIR lanyard
nUSB charger
nUSB charger cable
nFerrite bead
nQuick Start Guide
Part number 999-7271-001, additional lanyard kit (optional, purchased separately):
nLanyard
nUSB charger
nUSB charger cable
nFerrite bead
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Australia and New Zealand
Part number 999-9950-001, RoboTRAK in silver and black
Part number 999-9950-001W, RoboTRAK in
white
nVaddioRoboTRAK IR camera
nPoE+ power injector
nAC cord set for Australia and New Zealand
nPoE splitter
nPower cable, 1 ft (30 cm)
nCat-5e cable, 1 ft (30 cm)
nCat-5e cable, 10 ft (3 m)
nWall mount with mounting hardware
nIR lanyard
nUSB charger
nUSB charger cable
nFerrite bead
nQuick Start Guide
Part number 999-7271-009, additional lanyard kit (optional, purchased separately):
nLanyard
nUSB charger
nUSB charger cable
nFerrite bead
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
A Quick Look at the RoboTRAK System
This section covers the physical features of the RoboTRAK system:
nIR camera
nTracking Lanyard
The RoboTRAK system requires a video camera as well. You can use any Vaddio RoboSHOT camera as
the video component of the system.
Note
If remote viewing is desired, you must use a video camera that is capable of streaming. These include
RoboSHOT 10 USB, RoboSHOT HD-SDI, and RoboSHOT 20 UHD cameras.
Refer to the documentation for your RoboSHOT camera for detailed information on connections and
camera control.
Front of the IR Camera
nCamera assembly – based on the same reliable hardware as our latest generation of video cameras.
nReflective lens – reduces interference from spurious IR sources. The reflective lens also provides a
simple visual cue that it's not a standard video camera.
nIndicator light – shows the IRcamera's current status.
Connectors
n12 VDC, 3.0 Amp power connector – Connect only the PoE splitter shipped with the camera.
nNetwork/PoE+ – 10/100 Ethernet/PoE+ port allows the RoboTRAK™ IR camera to control the video
camera, and provides access to the web interface.
nDIP switches – Factory use only.
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Lanyard
Vaddio recommends purchasing a second lanyard as a spare or for smooth transitions between multiple
presenters.
Medallion – Houses charging and control circuitry, switches to standby (low-power)mode when the IR
camera switches to standby.
nButton – On/off switch for IR sources
nIlluminated ring – Visual status indicator directs light toward the wearer,
not the audience
nBattery – Rechargeable Li-ion battery; up to 25 hour battery life, roughly 4
hour charging time
nUSB micro-B charging port – Connect the supplied battery charger
nRecessed power switch – Allows you to turn off the lanyard completely to
extend battery life
Ribbon – Holds the medallion and contains the IRsources.
nStrand of IR LEDs – Provide a characteristic image pattern that the
camera identifies and tracks
nSafety clasp – Automatically releases under tension
Caution
Do not pinch, crease, or stretch the lanyard ribbon. Do not pull the lanyard ribbon to release the clasp. Any
of these will damage the circuitry in the ribbon.
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Before You Start
Ensure that the room is suitable for the RoboTRAK system, and that all the required elements of the
installation are present. This section covers the requirements for a successful installation.
Note
Copy the default hostname from the label on the bottom of the camera, and keep this information in a place
where it will be available to anyone who needs to work with the camera's web interface. This information is
required to access the camera for initial configuration, or after a factory reset.
Network Requirements
nNetwork connections for both cameras
nHostname resolution
Additional Equipment
Side-by-side displays – The team or individual tuning the RoboTRAK system will need to see the IP stream
from the IR camera and the live video feed from the video camera at the same time. The display for the
IRcamera is not needed after the system is configured and fine-tuned.
Tablet or other device with wifi access – If you do not have an assistant for the tuning process, you will
need to be able to work with the RoboTRAK IR camera's web interface while moving around the room.
Lighting and IR
Note
The RoboTRAK IR camera works best in an IR-sterile environment. Natural lighting and halogen lamps
produce enough stray IR to overwhelm the system.
nIf the room has windows, blackout curtains or blinds are required - standard
window blinds admit enough IR at the edges to keep the IR camera from
identifying the tracking lanyard.
nFluorescent or LED lighting is preferred.
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
This is a shot from the IR stream of a RoboTRAK camera in an IR-sterile room. Other than the presenter's
lanyard, the room is dark. This is what you should see when you view the stream from the IR camera. (If
the camera is not in setup mode, the image will not include the white rectangle.)
In the photograph below, the two displays both show virtually the same shot from the RoboTRAK IR
camera as shown in the previous photograph, but in a different room. The window shades are closed and
the room looks dark - but the IR image shows that the whole room is flooded with IR, and the lanyard does
not emit enough IR to be detected.
This room requires IR remediation.
Certain types of room systems also emit IR, and can keep the tracking system from working properly:
nAssisted listening systems
nIR-based audio systems
nRoom occupancy sensors
Turning any of these off may not be an option. In such cases, cover or remove reflective objects
if possible. IR reflects the same way as visible light – an object that looks shiny to you also
looks shiny to the IR camera.
Contact the Vaddio Applications Engineering team (appse@vaddio.com) for help with stray IR mitigation.
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Camera Location
Siting requirements for the IR camera are similar to those for the video camera you use with it.
nClear line of sight to the desired viewable area
nAcceptable camera distance 15 to 50 ft (4.5 to 15 m) from area of interest; best performance at 20 to 35
ft (6 to 10.5 m) from area of interest
nHeight 7 to 15 ft (2.1 to 4.5 m) depending on distance
nViewing angle as close as possible to the centerline of the tracking area
Camera Placement – Small Room
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Camera Placement – Medium Room
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Camera Placement – Large Room
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Installation
This section covers selecting the camera location, installing the mount, and connecting the camera.
Don’t Void Your Warranty!
Caution
This product is for indoor use. Do not install it outdoors or in a humid environment without the appropriate
protective enclosure. Do not allow it to come into contact with any liquid.
Use only the power supply included with this product. Using a different one will void the warranty, and
could create unsafe operating conditions or damage the product.
Do not install or operate this product if it has been dropped, damaged, or exposed to liquids. If any of these
things happen, return it to Vaddio for safety and functional testing.
Cabling Notes
Use Cat-5e or better cable and standard RJ-45 connectors (568B termination). We recommend using high-
quality connectors and a high-quality crimping tool.
Note
Do not use pass-through RJ-45 connectors. These can cause intermittent
connections and degraded signal quality, resulting in problems that may be hard to
diagnose. Use standard RJ-45 connectors.
Caution
Check Cat-5 cables for continuity before using them. Using the wrong pin-out may damage the camera
system and void the warranty.
Pro Tip
To prevent tragic mishaps, label both ends of every cable.
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Preparing the Tracking Lanyard for Use
You will need all the items from the box that the lanyard was shipped in:
nLanyard
nUSB charger
nUSB charging cable
nFerrite bead
1. Snap the ferrite bead onto the charger cable about 2
inches (5 cm) from the connector that plugs into the
lanyard.
Note:
To ensure compliance with FCC regulations, you
must install the ferrite bead as directed.
2. Make sure the recessed power switch is in the ON
position.
3. Plug the charger into a power source, and connect the charger cable.
4. Plug the charger cable into the lanyard.
5. Leave the lanyard connected to the charger until the medallion blinks only occasionally. Charging may
take several hours.
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
The IR Camera's Default Hostname
Note
Copy the default hostname from the label on the bottom of the camera, and keep this information in a place
where it will be available to anyone who needs to work with the camera's web interface. This information is
required to access the camera for initial configuration, or after a factory reset.
Be sure to record the default hostname exactly as it is shown on the label.
The RoboTRAK IR camera can only be configured via its web interface. Ensure that the team or individual
configuring the RoboTRAK system has the IR camera's default hostname.
Before You Install the Camera
The RoboTRAK presenter tracking system includes a dual wall mount which can be used with Vaddio's
Offset Drop-down Ceiling Mount for RoboTRAK, part number 535-2000-045. Contact us if you don’t have
the camera mount you need.
Note
Install the cameras with the IR camera directly above the video camera. Other physical orientations are not
supported, as they pose tuning/configuration challenges.
nChoose a camera mounting location that will optimize camera performance. Consider camera viewing
angles, lighting conditions, line-of-sight obstructions, and in-wall obstructions where the camera is to be
mounted.
nEnsure that the camera body can move freely and will point away from the ceiling and lights.
nFollow the installation instructions included with the camera mount.
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Placing the PoE Splitter
Both connections to the IR camera are from the PoE splitter.
Note
If you receive a black and white cable packaged in the box with the splitter,
please discard it. The black and white cable cannot be used with the camera.
1. Remove the backing from one side of the rectangle of 3M®Dual Lock™
material to expose the adhesive, and press it firmly against the back of the
PoE splitter.
2. Connect the long Cat-5e cable to the Power & Data connector on the PoE splitter.
3. Connect the short Cat-5e cable to the Data Out connector on the PoE splitter.
4. On the short power cable, identify the connector with no center
pin and connect it to the PoE splitter.
Caution
The connectors on the short power cable are NOT identical.
One has a center pin. Attempting to connect the wrong end of
the cable to the PoE splitter will damage the connector. (We did
this in the lab, and we're admitting it so you can avoid our mistake.)
5. Holding the PoE splitter under the top shelf of the camera mount, route the two short cables through the
cable opening for the upper camera.
6. Determine the best position for the PoE splitter, then remove the backing from the exposed side of the
3M Dual Lock material and press the PoE splitter into place within the camera mounting shelf.
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Installing the Camera Mount
The dual camera mount can be attached to a wall, or mounted to the ceiling.
Wall Installation
Note
You can install the camera mount to a 2-gang wall box or directly to the drywall. If you install the wall mount
on drywall, use the wall anchors provided with the wall mount. If you install it over a wall box, use the cover
plate screws supplied with the wall box.
1. Route cables through the appropriate cable opening in the mount.
2. Attach the mount to the wall, using wall anchors if not attaching it to a wall box.
3. Level the mount and tighten the mounting screws.
4. Check the level again.
Ceiling Installation
For a ceiling installation, you will need Vaddio's Offset Drop-down Ceiling Mount for RoboTRAK, part
number 535-2000-045.
Vaddio does not recommend using a non-offset ceiling mount pole, as the system's center of mass is
significantly forward of the 1" NPT threaded nut. Contact Vaddio if you don't have a suitable ceiling mount
kit.
1. Install the ceiling mount kit according to the instructions provided with it.
2. At the appropriate step, route the cables for both cameras through the pipe.
3. At the appropriate step, attach the dual camera mount to the end of the threaded pipe.
Note
Inverted operation is not supported.
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Basic Connection Diagram
Connections for Configuring the System
To configure the system for the room and set up the desired tracking behavior, you will need to view the IP
stream from the IRcamera. Side-by-side displays of the IR camera stream and the video camera output
are strongly recommended.
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Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
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