AUSTRALIA: Sydney-based Chameleon Touring Systems has reinforced its position at the forefront of Australia’s live production landscape with the addition of 15 ROBE iFORTE LTX and iFORTE LTX FS (Follow Spot with integrated camera) luminaires, delivered over the past six months as part of a sustained investment strategy aligned with evolving rider demands and production workflows.

Headed by Tony Davies, Chameleon Touring Systems operates across concert touring, theatre, festivals, corporate events, broadcast and television, with its equipment inventory continually shaped by both market demand and practical deployment versatility. The company was an early adopter of Robe’s RoboSpot system, investing shortly after its launch and building what is now the largest stock of RoboSpot remote followspot systems in Australia, currently comprising 20 BaseStations.

These systems are deployed extensively with the newly acquired iFORTE LTX and iFORTE LTX FS fixtures, while also maintaining compatibility with existing BMFL Blades and BMFL FollowSpot LTs, in addition to LightMaster handle sets that remain relevant for specific show requirements. The RoboSpot ecosystem continues to see constant utilisation across Chameleon’s own productions, alongside strong demand within the cross-rental market.

The latest RoboSpot software update introduces a suite of refinements aimed at enhancing operational flexibility, including adjustable fade times between presets, a numerical colour picker, expanded preset storage through colour and position buttons, a dedicated LT function and dynamic cross setup for iris control, among other workflow enhancements.

Chameleon’s initial RoboSpot investment in late 2019—just prior to the pandemic—was driven by a clear intent to stay ahead of the curve as remote followspotting gained traction. That foresight has since paid dividends, with demand accelerating rapidly in the post-pandemic recovery phase.

For Davies, purchasing decisions are guided by a combination of rider requirements, technical specifications and long-term rental viability, a strategy that has naturally extended to Robe’s iFORTE series. With Australia hosting a steady flow of international touring productions, maintaining access to globally specified technology has become increasingly critical. The flexibility of the iFORTE LTX fixtures further enhances their value, with the units also deployed as standard lighting fixtures when required—most recently forming part of the floor package for Oasis’ Sydney shows within Paul Normandale’s design.

The iFORTE LTX Follow Spots have also been utilised on RoboSpot systems for Ricky Martin’s Australian tour, underlining their adaptability across different production scales and formats.

“iFORTE LTXs seem to be the follow spot of choice right now,” stated Tony. “They are nice and bright, have a great CRI and all the LDs are happy to use them!”

From an operational perspective, Davies highlights RoboSpot as a transformative technology. “There’s no climbing involved, and they are extremely quick and easy to set up, especially when the luminaires are stored and transported in pre-rigged truss sections,” he explained, noting the efficiency gains in both setup and crew deployment. In broadcast environments, the ability for a floor electrician to both manage and operate the system further streamlines manpower requirements.

Beyond logistics, the system delivers notable creative advantages, enabling lighting designers to illuminate performers from multiple angles for enhanced depth and reduced shadowing, while also minimising unwanted spill through more precise fixture positioning. The ability to integrate RoboSpot fixtures into the wider rig for specific show moments further extends their functional scope.

Parameter control via the lighting console allows operators to focus on essential tracking tasks, improving overall performance consistency during live shows. Davies considers RoboSpot a highly efficient investment, comparable to core control infrastructure in terms of utilisation and return.

“You can basically deliver a much slicker show using RoboSpot and it’s been an important catalyst in moving the whole art of follow spotting into a new era,” he remarked.

Chameleon Touring Systems, founded in 1986, has steadily built a reputation for technical excellence and creative delivery, with its ongoing investment in Robe products dating back to 2017, including MegaPointes, Spiiders and BMFL Spots and Blades. More recently, following Robe’s acquisition of Avolites, the company has also expanded into lighting control with the addition of two D7-215 consoles.

Davies observes renewed momentum around the Avolites brand, particularly highlighting the portability of systems such as D7 and the newly launched D3 series, which offer practical advantages for touring professionals requiring compact, travel-friendly control solutions.