K2 Debuts X-arm Programmable Robotic Mount

By Staff On Jun 19 2006 - 6:00am

K2 Mounts announced the X-arm, a programmable remote-controlled robotic arm designed to eliminate glare and reflection by allowing the user to adjust the variable tilt, swivel and telescopic functions while seated in the viewing position. It is designed to accommodate 40-inch to 61-inch plasma or LCD flat-panel TVs.

Incremental remote adjustments are designed to permit users to obtain the optimum glare-free viewing angle quickly and easily from any viewing location in the room, and versatile tilt up/down and swivel range provides a wide range of mounting location possibilities. The X-arm sits flush to the wall (4.6 inches) when retracted and stows the display upright, eliminating any possibility of trapping heat in the upper bezel of the display due to tilt-down mounting on fireplaces, according to the company.

Designed with attention to form and function, the X-arm is meant to offer easy and intuitive operation. At the touch of a button on the provided universal remote control, or via a RS-232 controlled touch panel, it smoothly extends the TV 12 inches from the wall, allowing the viewer to adjust the swivel left/right range of motion from 20 degrees to 32 degrees (depending on display size) in either direction, and tilt range up to 25 degrees down and 7 degrees up. Two programmable memory locations are provided to recall viewing preferences.

“X-arm effortlessly eliminates glare and reflection problems while the remote tilt down, telescopic and swivel functions quickly adjust the optimal on-axis viewing angle to accommodate seated viewing, floor viewing or both positions simultaneously” said Tony Grasso, sales and marketing VP, said in a release.

Engineered to be invisible from the front of the TV, the product is suitable for flat-panel displays up to 180 pounds. It is reportedly installed in the same manner as any conventional manual wall mounting unit, and a universal mounting attachment kit is provided to facilitate easy coupling with the flat-panel display.

The universal IR remote control provided is able to control the X-arm as well as any other A/V components. Cable management provisions include concealment via a bellows located behind the display, prohibiting foreign objects from interfering with the movement of the actuators.

Its features a suggested retail of $1,995.