Simtec FUNRIDE® Hover Motion Simulator at Mercedes Benz Museum

FUNRIDE™ Hover:
Suspended Cabin Motion Ride

The FUNRIDE™ Hover is a fully enclosed 6-DOF motion ride system combining an immersive cabin environment with distinctive motion behavior and integrated floor-level boarding.

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Product Description

FUNRIDE™ Hover is our suspended-cabin motion ride system for immersive media-based attractions and a specialized configuration within the FUNRIDE™ family. Motion, media, audio, and special effects can be synchronized inside the cabin to create a focused attraction experience without external visual or acoustic distractions. 

What distinguishes FUNRIDE™ Hover from FUNRIDE™ CCS is its suspended motion architecture: the actuators connect to the upper structure of the cabin rather than to the cabin floor, with the rotation axis positioned above the passengers. This changes how movement is transferred into the cabin and creates a characteristic motion behavior that can feel lifted, floating, and less platform-bound.

The architecture also allows the cabin to travel directly down to floor level, supporting barrier-free boarding without conventional docking systems or movable passenger bridges.

Immersive Cabin Environment

The enclosed cabin creates a focused visual, acoustic, and sensory environment where motion, media, audio, and special effects can work together as one coherent experience.

Distinctive Hover Motion

With the motion axis positioned above the passengers, FUNRIDE™ Hover creates a distinctive movement behavior that can feel floating, lifted, and dynamically suspended rather than platform-bound.

Flexible Cabin Integration

The system can be adapted around a wide range of cabin concepts — from compact simulator capsules to themed vehicles, branded environments or project-specific show cabins.

Barrier-Free Access

The cabin can lower directly to floor level, supporting barrier-free access and simplifying the interface between the moving cabin and the station.

Precise 6-DOF Motion Cueing

Motion profiles can be synchronized with media, sound, and special effects to create controlled, physically credible ride experiences — from gentle educational journeys to more dynamic adventure formats.

The Engineering Behind the Hover Experience

FUNRIDE™ Hover was developed around two engineering objectives: to maximize the usable motion envelope within a defined building volume and to improve how motion is perceived by the passengers. By making the upper actuator joints the highest point of the simulator, with no cabin structure extending above them, the system can use more of the available space throughout its range of motion. This changes how motion is transferred into the guest cabin and creates the characteristic Hover sensation: the cabin can appear to float, lift, and move more freely than in conventional platform-based simulator layouts. Adjusting the axis of rotation changes the passenger’s perception of motion, which helps reduce motion sickness.

The same motion principle is used in Simtec’s Test Systems portfolio as HEXaDRIVE® Hover for driving simulation, where comfortable, realistic and precisely controlled motion feedback is essential. For ride applications, Simtec combines this principle with premium 6-DOF motion control, refined motion cueing, and frame-accurate synchronization between motion, media, and special effects. 

Custom-Engineered for Your Vision and Venue

FUNRIDE™ Hover is designed for attraction concepts that need more than a standard simulator cabin. The suspended architecture can be adapted around different cabin designs, passenger capacities, media environments, and operational requirements. 

Motion characteristics are programmed around the attraction concept, ranging from subtle environmental movement to high-impact ride dynamics. The objective is motion that supports the media and intended experience while remaining controlled, repeatable, and suitable for daily operation. 

Simtec brings motion technology, cabin integration, show systems, safety interfaces, and maintenance access together into one coherent attraction system — shaped around the venue, the story, and the intended guest experience. For clients seeking a fully integrated delivery model, FUNRIDE™ Hover can also be supplied as a complete turnkey attraction. Simtec leads the system integration and takes the project through installation, commissioning, and operator and maintenance training. AV technology and film production are provided by selected partners under Simtec’s coordination.

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FUNRIDE™ Hover Specifications

The FUNRIDE™ Hover is a configurable closed-cabin simulator ride platform. Technical specifications are adapted to the attraction concept, passenger capacity, motion system, media environment, safety requirements, and venue conditions.

Capacity & Operations

Guest Capacity

Configurable for 2 to 50 passengers per ride unit

Passenger Configuration

Supports seated and standing configurations depending on the attraction concept and safety requirements

Passenger Flow

Entry and exit concepts can be adapted to support efficient loading and unloading procedures

Motion Technology

Degrees of Freedom

Premium 6-DOF motion system with movement across all translational and rotational axes

Drive Technology

Configurable with hydraulic or electric drive systems

Motion Performance

Motion characteristics are tailored to the attraction concept, ranging from subtle environmental movement to high-impact ride dynamics

Motion Cueing & Motion Texture

Engineered for believable, comfortable and media-synchronized motion

Controls

Control Architecture

Developed in-house by Simtec using industrial PLC and safety control technology for ride automation, motion control, and system-wide synchronization

Real-Time Synchronization

Synchronizes motion, media, audio, effects, and show systems with frame-accurate timing

Show Control Integration

Integrates into project-specific show control architectures

Operator Interfaces

Operator panels support ride operation, system monitoring, start/stop functions, reset procedures, and emergency handling

Attraction Integration

Media Environments

Supports cabin-integrated media environments, typically using projection and screen setups or LED screen solutions inside the cabin

Special Effects

Wind, water mist, scent, seat vibration, lighting,, and other cabin-integrated effects can be synchronized with motion and media

Themed Cabin Integration

Interior design, lighting, finishes, and branding elements can be integrated to support project-specific themes, branded environments, and IP-based attraction concepts

Cabin Ventilation & Comfort

Active cabin ventilation supports fresh air supply and guest comfort during operation

Turnkey Attraction Integration

Available as a complete turnkey attraction, combining the motion system, show control, and special effects with partner-supplied AV technology and film production

Safety, Accessibility & Reliability

Floor-Level Boarding

The cabin can travel down to floor level, enabling barrier-free boarding without conventional docking systems or movable passenger bridges

International Ride Standards

Designed in accordance with international ride standards, including EN 13814, ASTM F2291, and GB 8408

Functional Safety

Integrated safety PLCs, certified safety functions, and redundant system architectures support safe attraction operation

Restraint Systems

Monitored seat belts or restraint bars are available

Accessibility Concepts

Supports step-free access and wheelchair-compatible configurations

Long-Term Durability

Key structural components are engineered for 20+ years of operation under defined load and operating conditions

Let’s discuss your project

Have an idea, a specific requirement or a challenging space to work with? Talk to us about your project. We will connect you with the right specialist at Simtec.

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The Best Trust Simtec

Simtec is proud to have provided products and services to world-famous brands and companies.

Your Expert Partner for Immersive Motion Rides

Simtec is more than a manufacturer; we are a technology partner with over 35 years of engineering expertise in the motion simulation sector. We take full system responsibility for every FUNRIDE™ attraction—from the initial concept and project management to turnkey delivery and lifelong technical support. Our engineering heritage ensures that every motion ride system delivers natural, controlled, and physically credible dynamics, providing a safe and reliable anchor for your venue’s success.

Award-winning Flagship Motion Rides

Our FUNRIDE™ motion platforms are recognized globally and featured in award-winning flagship projects at leading international theme parks for redefining immersion through sophisticated 6-DOF technology that is trusted in the world’s most visited destinations.

Extensive customizing options

We offer an extensive range of sophisticated customizing options that allow operators to perfectly tailor their FUNRIDE™ installations with modular profiles, interactive modules, and bespoke theming that ensures every attraction aligns perfectly with any specific IP.

Presence on 3 continents and on-site maintenance

Simtec maintains a robust global presence across three continents with wholly owned subsidiaries in Germany, the USA, and China, allowing our specialized engineering teams to provide rapid, high-quality on-site maintenance and comprehensive technical service throughout the entire lifecycle of your FUNRIDE™ installation.

German Innovation in Motion

Rooted in the philosophy of “German Innovation in Motion,” our precision-engineered FUNRIDE™ systems are designed to the highest standards, featuring pioneering technology and ensuring a sustainable, long-term structural lifetime of at least 20 years for continuous operational excellence.

Testimonial

“Only Simtec could do that.”

Keith Robertson

JKR & Associates

Entertainment References

Discover iconic ride projects where Simtec’s precision engineering meets world-class entertainment.

Simtec Systems: A World-Leading Motion Ride Manufacturer

Revolutionizing Experiences with Advanced Ride Engineering

Simtec Systems stands as a premier simulator ride manufacturer, specializing in high-end solutions like the FUNRIDE™ CCS. As an authority in ride engineering, we utilize a robust 6-DOF motion platform to create fully immersive environments that are entirely isolated from the outside world. This closed-cabin design allows for a precisely controlled show where every seat becomes a portal to another reality. Drawing from our extensive background in certified flight simulation, our engineering teams ensure that the motion is not just an add-on but a physically credible core of the experience. By integrating high-resolution internal displays and frame-accurate sensory effects, we provide guests with a journey that is technically coherent and emotionally impactful, setting a global standard for high-end theme park attractions and brand experiences.

Trusted Worldwide as a Simulator Ride Manufacturer

As a globally recognized motion ride manufacturer, Simtec is committed to the safety, throughput, and long-term success of every project. Our FUNRIDE™ CCS systems are engineered for a minimum 20-year structural lifetime and are compliant with the most stringent international standards, including EN 13814 and GB 8408. We pride ourselves on offering a complete turnkey delivery model, where we assume full system responsibility from the initial CAD layout to on-site commissioning and lifelong support. With a footprint spanning Germany, China, and the USA, Simtec provides the localized maintenance and technical expertise required by major leisure facilities and science centers. We invite you to experience why leading operators choose our German-engineered systems for their most ambitious and story-driven attractions.

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