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Draft:Simtec Systems

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Simtec Systems GmbH
Industry
  • Motion simulation
  • entertainment technology
  • automotive testing
Founded1989 [1]
Founders
  • Bernd Kaufmann
  • Volker Brandt
Headquarters
Braunschweig
,
Germany
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Andreas Stickel (CEO)
Products
Subsidiaries
    • Simtec Asia Co., Ltd.
    • Simtec North America, Inc
Websitewww.simtec.de

Simtec Systems GmbH is a German engineering company based in Braunschweig, Germany that designs and manufactures motion simulation systems, flying theaters, and industrial test platforms. Founded in 1989, the company operates internationally in the fields of themed entertainment, pilot training, and automotive and research testing.[2][3]

Simtec is known for developing the certified full-flight simulator for the Dornier 228 aircraft, which has been in continuous operation at Braunschweig Research Airport since 1992 and is reported to be the only certified device of its type.[4][5]

Its portfolio includes motion-based attractions such as flying theaters, simulator rides, and dark rides, as well as high-performance test benches used by automotive manufacturers and research institutions worldwide.[6][7][8]

History

Simtec was established in 1989 by engineers Bernd Kaufmann and Volker Brandt at the Braunschweig university technology park. The firm’s first project was a pilot-training simulator for the Dornier 228. Following its move to Braunschweig Research Airport, it produced a full-flight Dornier 228 simulator, reported as the only certified simulator for this type of aircraft.[9]

In the 1990s the company expanded into the entertainment sector. It developed the Galaxy simulator at Phantasialand (1994), then one of Europe’s largest simulator attractions and the first to use an IMAX film.[10]

In 1998 and 2000, Simtec delivered custom simulators for the German Pavilion at Expo '98 in Lisbon and for the Expo 2000 in Hanover, including large-scale installations such as the Oceanis submarine simulator.[11][12]

During the 2000s the product range was broadened. In 2005 the Alaska Ice Adventure at ZOOM Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen marked Simtec’s first turnkey zoo project.[13] In 2006 two driving simulators were installed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.[14] The company also expanded into industrial applications, delivering the first HEXaDRIVE six-axis test systems for fuel tanks and automotive components.[15][16]

A breakthrough in Asia came in 2010 with a large FUNRIDE TR simulator for the Expo 2010 in Shanghai, which established the company’s reputation in the Chinese market.[17][18][19] This was followed by multiple installations in China, including HEXaFLITE flying theaters for Wanda Group parks in Nanchang and Harbin (2016–2017).[20][21] To support this growth, the subsidiary Simtec Asia Co., Ltd. was founded in 2016 with offices in Shanghai and Wuhan.[22][23][24]

In 2018 the company launched ScreenFLITE, a kinetic digital signage system at Rome Fiumicino Airport,[25] which later received the Red Dot Design Award.[26] In 2019 Simtec opened Italy’s first flying theater, Volarium at Cinecittà World,[27] which was awarded the Parksmania Award.[28] That same year, HEXaFLITE 72 theaters in Wuxi and Kunming received Golden Crown Awards in China.[29]

The 2020s saw further international growth. In 2021 the company delivered a FUNRIDE simulator to the indoor theme park Doha Quest in Qatar[30] and supplied three FUNRIDE 21 open-cabin simulators for the Super Wings attraction at OCT Happy Valley Chongqing in Chongqing, China.[31] In 2022, to strengthen its presence in North America, it established Simtec North America, Inc. in Orlando, Florida.[32] In 2024 it installed a double-deck HEXaFLITE mini at Mercury Towers in Malta.[33]

Products and Technologies

Simtec Systems offers a diverse range of motion simulation and ride systems for entertainment, industrial testing, flight training, and custom engineering. The company’s product portfolio is presented below, grouped into core categories:[34][35]

Entertainment and Attraction Systems

  • **HEXaFLITE Flying Theaters** – motion-based rides using six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) platforms with horizontal floor-level loading and a transition into a flight show position with riders’ feet hanging.[36][37] Available with seating for 16, 40, or 72 passengers, delivered as turnkey packages including ride system, screen, projection, audio-visual equipment, and optionally content.[38]
  • **HEXaFLITE mini** – compact variant of the flying theater designed for venues with limited ceiling height, providing full 6-DOF motion within a smaller footprint. It features a rotating loading-to-show mechanism, up to 10 seats, immersive special effects, and options for VR integration.[39][40]
  • **FUNRIDE Simulator Series** – modular motion-based simulator attractions offered in open-cabin (OCS), closed-cabin (CCS), and track-based (TR) formats, accommodating between 2 and 96 guests. They include 3–6 DOF movement, synchronization with 2D/3D projection and special effects such as wind, water, and scent.[41][42][43]
  • **HEXaPOT Dark Ride System** – 6-DOF ride platform combining unlimited yaw rotation and Stewart platform motion for high-capacity dark rides.[44]
  • **Custom Ride Engineering** – tailored development of ride cabins, motion control, audiovisual integration, show control systems, and special effects, engineered for reliability and seamless integration in complex attractions.[45]

Industrial and Automotive Test Systems

  • **HEXaDRIVE** – six-axis hydraulic motion platforms used in laboratory testing of automotive components such as fuel tanks, seats and batteries.[46][47] According to company information, the systems are also available in versions designed for explosive environments (ATEX/IECEx compliant).[48]
  • **Flight and Driving Simulation** – systems derived from industrial research methods; tailored for flight or driving testing scenarios; supports integrated component and vehicle testing.[49]

Digital Signage Systems

  • **ScreenFLITE** – kinetic display system consisting of multiple LED panels mounted on robotic arms. The system allows the screens to move, rotate, and combine into dynamic formations, enabling airports and venues to present advertising and information in an eye-catching format.[50] The first installation was completed in 2018 at Rome Fiumicino Airport.[51]

Pilot Training

Simtec continues to operate the only certified full-flight simulator for the Dornier 228 aircraft, based in Braunschweig. The facility provides Type Rating and recurrent pilot training under EASA/JAA standards and attracts pilots from around the world.[52]

Major projects

Name Model Park / Venue Location Year Description Reference
Dornier 228 flight simulator Full-flight simulator Simtec Systems Facilities Braunschweig, Germany 1992 Only certified full-flight simulator for Dornier 228, used for pilot training. [53]
Galaxy FUNRIDE simulator Phantasialand Brühl, Germany 1994 At the time Europe’s largest simulator attraction and the first to use a dedicated IMAX film. [54]
Oceanis FUNRIDE simulator German Pavilion, Expo '98 Lisbon, Portugal 1998 Submarine-themed simulator for the world exposition (80 standing places). [55]
Time Shuttle FUNRIDE installations EU Pavilion, Expo 2000 Hanover, Germany 2000 Multiple simulators, including 'Time Shuttle', Regenwaldhaus and Oceanis Museum. [56]
Alaska Ice Adventure FUNRIDE CCS 50 ZOOM Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen Gelsenkirchen, Germany 2005 Closed-cabin simulator with 50 seats, first turnkey zoo project. [57]
Driving simulators HEXaDRIVE HOVER Mercedes-Benz Museum Stuttgart, Germany 2006 Immersive driving simulators installed as permanent exhibits. [58]
NürBus & NürTruck FUNRIDE ring°werk, Nürburgring Nürburg, Germany 2009 Motion-based simulators as part of the motorsport experience centre. [59]
Shanghai Pavilion simulator FUNRIDE TR 60 Expo 2010, Shanghai Shanghai, China 2010 60-seat simulator with dome projection; marked Simtec’s breakthrough in China. [60]
Power of Nature FUNRIDE OCS 96 Wanda Movie Park, Wuhan Wuhan, China 2014 Moving platform with seating for 96 visitors distributed across several sections.

[61]

Flying theater HEXaFLITE 16 Liaoning Science & Technology Museum Shenyang, China 2015 Compact flying theater for science museum visitors. [62]
Fly over Jiangxi HEXaFLITE 72 Wanda Movie Park, Nanchang Nanchang, China 2016 Large dome flying theater with 72 seats. [63]
Dark ride Interactive dark ride system Wanda Harbin Theme Park Harbin, China 2017 Track-based interactive dark ride with 9 trains and 360° rotation. [64]
Le Chandelier ScreenFLITE Rome Fiumicino Airport Fiumicino, Italy 2018 Kinetic digital signage system with 12 rotating LED displays. [65][66]
Volarium HEXaFLITE 40 Cinecittà World Rome, Italy 2019 First flying theater in Italy; received the Parksmania Award. [67]
Flying theater HEXaFLITE 72 Guangzhou Sunac Land Guangzhou, China 2019 Large-scale theater with spherical LED screen. [68]
Jiangsu in the Air HEXaFLITE 72 Wuxi Sunac Land Wuxi, China 2019 Large-scale theater with spherical LED screen; received Golden Crown Award. [69]
Legend of the Golden Oryx FUNRIDE CCS 30 Quest Doha Oasis Doha, Qatar 2021 Motion simulator with wind, water, scent and fire effects. [70]
Super Wings FUNRIDE OCS 21 (3 units) Happy Valley Chongqing Chongqing, China 2021 Three open-cabin simulators for theme park, recieved Golden Crown Award attraction.

[71]

Odyssey Malta HEXaFLITE mini (dual) Mercury Towers St. Julian's, Malta 2024 Double-deck mini flying theater with two 10-seat gondolas, described as a first-of-its-kind configuration in Europe.

[72]

Awards

  • 2019 – Red Dot Award for Product Design for the ScreenFLITE digital signage system at Rome Fiumicino Airport.[73]
  • 2019 – Parksmania Award for the Volarium flying theater at Cinecittà World, Rome.[74]
  • 2020 – Two Asia Attractions Golden Crown Awards: Outstanding Thrill Rides Supplier (International) for HEXaFLITE 72 in Kunming and Outstanding Big Rides Supplier (International) for HEXaFLITE 72 in Wuxi.[75]
  • 2022 – Two Asia Attractions Golden Crown Awards: Outstanding Motion/Flying Theaters Supplier (International) for HEXaFLITE 72 in Chongqing and Outstanding Family Ride Supplier (International) for FUNRIDE 21 in Chongqing.[76]


References

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  71. ^ Coates, Charlotte (28 October 2020). "Simtec Systems to supply FUNRIDE-21 simulators for Super Wings attraction at OCT Happy Valley Chongqing". Blooloop. Blooloop Ltd. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
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