Wrapped in carbon fiber-like material and accented by privacy windows, it looked like it would be more at home on a CIA stakeout than parked on the trendy west side of Los Angeles. But there it was, lounging in the zip code of the rich and famous.

When the cabin doors of this 50,000-pound mystery swung open, the man behind the machine, Daren Smith, appeared—pleasant, articulate, and immensely proud of what he had created. Smith is the CEO of Radar, and I caught up with him after he spent the week showcasing the attributes of Radar One to Hollywood’s movers and shakers.

Its purpose is to expedite the workflow for hurried producers, directors, and studio czars. Radar One was developed by Smith’s Utah-based company using portable aspects of computer science that were virtually absent until it rolled into town.

Special Effects
At its core, Radar One speeds up the process of digital film and commercial production without the distractions found in typical brick-and-mortar studios. In that regard, it is revolutionary—offering full editing suites, visual effects and color correction platforms, and massive amounts of computer data capacity, as well as the top three operating systems: Mac, Windows, and Unix/Linux. Oh yes, there’s also a kitchen, a high-end shower/bath, and dual sofas that can be extended for sleeping.

Raising the bar on other production vehicles, Radar One runs for 45 days without refueling thanks to a powertrain that uses bio-diesel, natural gas, and solar panels. It is as green as 50,000 pounds can be.

According to Smith, the use of solar technology, bio-fuel, and batteries provide high-energy output and longer life than normal AGM batteries. Radar One uses LED lights, Energy Star-compliant computers and appliances, and instant hot-water heaters that only heat the water being used.

“The real technology, though, is how we integrate all the forms of power we generate, through our own energy management computer system, which constantly monitors how efficient the use of that power is,” Daren said.