Waterbird

What Waterbird does

Waterbird Systems GmbH is an Austrian private limited company headquartered in Vienna that designs and manufactures motorized, bendable camera sliders and configurable track systems for professional film, video, and live event production. The company's product portfolio centers on three core lines: the MS PRO (compact bendable sliders in 120cm and 150cm lengths), the MS SWIFT (silent BLDC servo sliders in 150cm and 200cm lengths with PTZ camera integration), and the MS XL (large-format configurable track systems built around a patented bendable track architecture with 15cm axis-distance segments). The flagship MS XL supports silent operation via BLDC motors and integrates motion control through an XL Motion Controller offering DMX, Ethernet, and Bluetooth connectivity, plus native control software licenses for Panasonic, Sony, and Canon PTZ cameras. The accessory ecosystem extends to Phoenix and Phoenix-RF controllers, V-mount battery systems, wireless DMX/ethernet bridges, ABonAir and DwarfConnection video transmission, ZANUS pan-tilt heads, and Autopod+/PanaPod elevation units — together forming a multi-axis motion control platform rather than a single product.

The technology stack is built around silent BLDC motorization, modular mechanical engineering, and deep protocol-level integration with professional broadcast control systems (DMX, Ethernet, BLE, RS422, PTZ vendor protocols). A granted patent on the bendable track system protects the core architectural differentiator. Pricing spans from $1,148 for the Phoenix controller to $29,995 for the MS XL mkII 200 WIRELESS BUNDLE 4K with integrated ABonAir 4K wireless video transmission. The business model is primarily transactional hardware sales: direct e-commerce through waterbird.at, a global distributor and reseller network for reach and rentals, and direct enterprise sales for custom MS XL configurations. Customer segments are horizontal across professional use cases, with PRG Production Resource Group (used on Bon Jovi and Metallica tours) as a flagship live-event reference and The Flash Pack as a featured content collaborator. The company is led by CEO Roland Enzlmüller, MSc, operates without disclosed external funding, and maintains GDPR-compliant operations from its Vienna headquarters.

Name

Waterbird

Legal name

Waterbird Systems GmbH

Website

https://waterbird.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Waterbird Systems GmbH manufactures motorized, bendable camera sliders and configurable track systems for professional film, video, and live event production. Based in Vienna, it serves concert production, studios, and documentary filmmakers with patented track technology and PTZ camera integration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Cinematography Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Motors & Generators (3621)

akta.pro primary industry

Sensors & Feedback Devices (Pressure, Flow, Position, Encoders, Transducers) (IMAHAGAK)

Keywords

• Motorized camera sliders
• Cinematography equipment
• Motion control systems
• Bendable track systems
• Live event production

Headquarters

HQ city

Pleasant Hill

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: Waterbird generates revenue through one-time sales of motorized camera sliders and track systems. Products include the MS PRO, MS SWIFT, and MS XL lines, along with controllers, accessories, batteries, and track extensions. The business model is transactional hardware sales rather than subscription-based.
2. Accessories and Add-ons: Revenue from accessories including control units, joystick sets, pedal sets, power supplies, batteries, mounting adapters, cables, and software licenses for PTZ integration.
3. Professional Services: Custom configuration services and custom length track orders for MS XL systems. Contact page indicates custom requests are handled directly.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Waterbird Systems GmbH designs, manufactures, and sells motorized, bendable camera slider and rail systems for professional film, broadcast, and live event production. Its product lines (MS PRO, MS SWIFT, MS XL) feature silent BLDC motors, modular configurable tracks, and DMX/Ethernet/Bluetooth control integration with PTZ camera ecosystems from Panasonic, Sony, and Canon.

Product overview

Waterbird Systems specializes in flexible rail and track systems for professional cinematography, offering a modular product portfolio centered on three main product lines: the MS PRO (compact bendable sliders at 120-150cm), MS SWIFT (silent BLDC servo sliders at 150-200cm with enhanced PTZ integration), and MS XL (large-format bendable track systems at configurable lengths). The product ecosystem includes compatible controllers (Phoenix, Phoenix-RF, XL Motion Controller, HMI units), power solutions (V-mount batteries, chargers), and extensive PTZ camera integration licenses (Panasonic, Sony, Canon). The company also offers wireless video transmission (DwarfConnection DC-LINK, ABonAir), pan-tilt heads (ZANUS), and elevation control systems (Autopod+, PanaPod) for comprehensive motion control solutions. Products are sold directly via their Austrian headquarters through their e-commerce platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MS PRO mkII (120 and 150) Bendable motorized camera slider that operates as either straight or curved track with motorized control. Available in 120cm and 150cm lengths with 5cm rail distance. Designed for professional film and video production requiring flexible track configuration.
• MS SWIFT SE (150 and 200) Silent BLDC servo motor slider combining MS PRO rail flexibility with enhanced silence, smoothness, and PTZ integration. Available in 150cm and 200cm lengths with 4.5kg payload and max speed of 1m/sec. Designed for noise-sensitive live event and interview environments.
• MS SWIFT X

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

AI capability1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• The Flash PackcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Flash Pack collaborated with Waterbird on MS Swift applications, producing promotional content and case studies showcasing the system's capabilities in professional filming scenarios. They appear as a featured customer and content collaborator.
• PRG Production Resource GroupflagshipTechnology or IntegrationPRG, a major production resource company, uses Waterbird MS-XL Rail systems for concert productions including Bon Jovi and Metallica. Their Director of Video Engineering provided testimonial about DMX integration capabilities for live stage use.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Moza (Guilin Feiyu Technology): Moza produces motorized gimbals, sliders, and recently compact motion-control rigs at aggressive consumer pricing. Emerging player encroaching from the prosumer segment, comparable in product category (motorized camera motion) but lighter on professional broadcast integration than Waterbird.

Direct peers

• Kessler (Kessler Crane): Kessler Crane is a long-established manufacturer of camera sliders, jibs, and motion-control systems widely used in film and broadcast production. Direct competitor to the MS XL in the professional cinematic motion-control segment; differs in that Kessler's systems are typically rigid track rather than Waterbird's bendable/curved configuration.
• iFootage: iFootage designs and sells camera sliders, motorized dollies, and motion-control systems for video creators and production houses. Direct peer in motorized slider hardware, typically priced below Waterbird but increasingly adding app and DMX-style control features.
• edelkrone: edelkrone makes motorized camera sliders and motion-control rigs for filmmakers and content creators with app-based control. Directly comparable to Waterbird's MS PRO and MS SWIFT lines in target buyer (independent to prosumer videographers) and product category, though edelkrone leans more compact/portable while Waterbird emphasises silent BLDC and broadcast PTZ integration.
• Glide Gear: Glide Gear manufactures camera sliders, dollies, and motorized motion-control rigs targeted at video production and live-event use. Direct competitor in the small-form-factor motorized slider category; less established in the high-end broadcast market where Waterbird's MS XL is positioned.
• Syrp: Syrp (now part of DefMacro) manufactures motorized camera sliders and motion-control accessories like the Genie and Slingshot. Comparable in product category and end-buyer (filmmakers/run-and-gun shooters) but competes via app-driven portability rather than Waterbird's bendable track and DMX/PTZ broadcast workflow integration.
• Mark Roberts Motion Control: Mark Roberts Motion Control builds high-end robotic camera systems and motion-control rigs for film, broadcast, and live events. Direct peer at the high end of professional broadcast/live-event camera automation, serving studios and concert productions comparable to Waterbird's PRG/Anolis deployments.

Broad incumbents

• Blackmagic Design: Blackmagic Design is a leading manufacturer of broadcast cameras, switchers, and studio automation hardware including camera-control protocols used widely in live production. Broad incumbent in the same broadcast/live-event ecosystem that Waterbird sells into; an indirect competitor via its Studio Camera and ATEM workflows that bundle control surfaces.
• DJI: DJI is the dominant maker of camera gimbals, drones, and increasingly motorized sliders/RoboMaster rails at consumer and prosumer pricing. Broad incumbent with overlapping camera motion-control capability; competes on price, ecosystem, and distribution scale rather than Waterbird's broadcast-graded bendable track and DMX integration.
• Manfrotto (Vitec Group): Manfrotto is a leading manufacturer of camera support products including tripods, sliders, and gimbals sold globally through photo/video retail. Broad incumbent that overlaps with Waterbird in camera sliders but lacks the motorized broadcast/DMX integration and bendable track capability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Waterbird-systems-1832083663694001
• Instagraminstagram.com/waterbird_systems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waterbird-systems

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waterbird