Weigl Celebrates 10 Years

In 2007, Weigl-EM and Weigl Works, LLC partnered to release the first “one box,” solution that was capable of direct plug and play audio synchronization, high frame rate playback, lighting, analog & digital outputs and serial control, the WEMC-1. The “WEM-CEE” as our customers quickly named it, was named after our lead hardware designer, Manfred Weigl. It was short for the Weigl Electronic Media Controller. (How 2000 & late of us). It was also the first animation controller to the market that contained Ethernet compatibility directly onboard for both programming and synchronizing shows. Not only was programming over Ethernet a reality, but Weigl also mapped nearly every onboard hardware function available to the user without more than a basic understanding of structured text layout. Ten years later, we are still the only animation focused company which includes fully functional network support from ArtNet to low-level programming ability on every controller we sell.

We have built our foundation so much on compatibility with third-party communications and hardware partnerships that for our 10th Anniversary series (X-Series ProCommanders), we even added a second hardwire port and 2.4ghz and 5ghz WiFi, becoming once again the only show controller on the market with these advanced full functioning network features. Upstream and downstream communications with external devices are now easily achieved, as is off-board synchronization with components accomplished by simply joining a supported Wi-Fi network.

In 2007, we knew there was a hole in the middle animatronics and interactive motion control market. A simple to use standalone lighting, animation and audio playback controller with networking abilities was desperately needed, but we never could have anticipated the demand would grow to the current state. Its original purpose was to better serve us internally in our own projects; where we could not find an alternative controller in a small profile that could be counted on daily in a theme park, museum, or retail environment. We joke now that we could not make this business model viable unless we sold 25 units a year. (We more than tripled that the first year in business and have sold thousands of the WEMC-1 and its successor ProCommander® controllers over the years). Within the first few years, our model was simple: provide a single use controller and intuitive software controls in a box costing retail under $1,000. Shown below is our very first postcard ad from IAAPA 2009 (remember IAAPA in Las Vegas?). To this day, we still offer a similar controller, the ProCommander® ES at the same price point nearly a decade later.

The WEMC-1 quickly became the ProCommander® controller and brought with it a few stand alone serially and network connected accessories to users of larger shows. We first began realizing what was possible on this platform when we completed an entire 250 + move animation show with several hundred LED lights for LifeFormations in 2011 at Ancol Dreamland in Indonesia. (read more: Ancol Dreamland: Kalila Adventure). Last we checked, it was still running daily with the original WEMC-1 controllers. This attraction even had our original (but short-lived), low-cost D32 expander packs, to account for the other movements. We quickly replaced these with our complete Pro I/O™ series still offered today.

Our first full product line and website can be seen here (Web 2.0 was amusing wasn’t it?):

Our explosive growth came in 2013 from a multitude of angles.

First, we were approached by Chuck E. Cheese to produce a custom box for them, based on our new ProCommander® 2 platform; which would include additional serial ports and an integrated HD video player with integrated frame sync. This product eventually became our ProCommander® LTC, which now contains microphone paging and more, still supporting our 2007 philosophy of “One Box. One Solution.” (read more: CEC Entertainment).

Following this jump in our (relative & humbled) notoriety, American Express® who helped build our business early on (when banks were less willing to lend to ‘crazy carnival businesses,’ like ours), asked us to be profiled in their small business campaign. We copied one of favorite lines “No one wakes up in the morning and says ‘I’m going to buy an Animatronic,'” from an early mentor, Dr. Gene Poor (original founder of LifeFormations). AMEX was so enamored with this and our business that their promotions of our niche company helped continue to rocket us quickly to our current company status in 2013 and beyond. (read more: American Express & Weigl).

We’ve added quite a few to our engineering & support staff over the years and typically now hover around 10-12 of us througout the world (Yes, we’re always looking for new talent on both continents). While we’ve had a few changes, however, Manfred & I have remained directly involved in the day to day product development, testing and support of the hardware and software. Weigl has become a worldwide leader in entertainment controls, with a heavy focus on motion controls & animatronics. We are currently the only animation controls vendor fully embracing the digital motor (direct control of DC/AC Servo drives) control revolution. We have added around 25 motors and counting and have released several new Pro I/O™ models based around this control ranging from Ethernet to CAN-Open. In celebration of our 10th year, we’ve also launched our X-Series controllers, once again bringing again next generation control to themed entertainment through full polyphony, DSP control, dual networking, Wi-Fi and onboard touchscreen and digital motor control options. The X-Series controllers may contain more than 10x the processing and control power of our original WEMC-1, but can still run the same animation profiles as over 10-years ago.

Weigl is committed to the future of advancing entertainment motion control, as well as supporting lighting, show action and interactivity wherever possible. 2017 also brought the release of a fully Mac-based platform for configuring and programming animation. Another industry first, Showforge™ and Weigl Hardware Configurator for MacOS allow users to ditch emulation software when they only carry a Mac with them each day. Showforge™ is our third supported programming platform, now directly complementing ConductorPro™ on the PC. Each of these platforms ‘second generation programming platforms,’ can now fully embrace Characterview™ and our 3D programing processes for direct digital visualization of animation and rapid rough in where possible.  We’ve come a long way from early audio-based Yak functions.

At the IAE (IAAPA Expo) in 2017, we globally rebranded as Weigl Controls, dropping the separate original company identities and solidifying our unified commitment to our customers. With engineering staff on multiple continents through the world, Weigl Controls can offer near 24/7 response to complex installation problems and requests. We are again pleased to be able to support our customers at this enterprise level and look forward to the future.

ProCommander® X-Series Controller – ProCommander® HX (2017)

 

 

2017 was our most significant year ever, with 2018 already off to an even better start. From small FECs to THEA award-winning theme park attractions, Weigl could not be prouder of what we have built these past 10-years. Of course, there’s much we cannot mention, but the next time you are behind the scenes at a major theme park or attraction, look just a bit closer.

Thank You to our customers and partners for 10-years of success:

 

 

Mike Blasko, Manfred Weigl & The Weigl Control Team