Simtec Systems: German Innovation in Motion
Explore the engineering behind Simtec. We develop customized motion systems and simulator attractions for applications worldwide combining precision engineering, safety, and long-term reliability.
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Over 35 Years of Engineered Motion
Simtec’s journey began in 1989 in Braunschweig, Germany, when engineers Bernd Kaufmann and Volker Brandt founded the company with a clear technical ambition: to develop and operate the world’s first Dornier 228 full flight simulator. Commissioned in 1992 and still in use for pilot training today, the simulator established the foundation for what continues to define Simtec: precise motion, real-time control, safety-critical engineering, certification, and long-term operational responsibility.
In 1994, Simtec took its first major step beyond the cockpit and into themed entertainment. For the attraction “Galaxy” at Phantasialand Simtec developed 16 independently controlled 3-DOF motion platforms, including individual control systems and central show control. At that time it was one of Europe’s largest simulator attractions. This was the moment when flight simulation expertise became physical storytelling for public attractions.
Soon after, motion moved in another direction: from entertainment into industrial testing. After experiencing the FUNRIDE™ simulator at Phantasialand, Johnson Controls approached Simtec with the idea of using motion technology to test automotive seats. In 1996, Simtec adapted its hexapod technology for automotive component testing, marking the beginning of what would later become the HEXaDRIVE® test systems and the industry test standard. Road loads, vibration, and long-term wear could now be reproduced in the laboratory — realistic, repeatable, and controlled.
Today, Simtec is an independent, family-owned engineering partner for motion simulation, themed entertainment, and advanced test systems worldwide, combining decades of simulation expertise with safe, reliable, and custom-engineered motion solutions.
1989: Where It All Began
Simtec is founded in Braunschweig, Germany by Bernd Kaufmann and Volker Brandt, with the ambition to develop and operate the world’s only Dornier D228 full-flight simulator.
1992: From Vision to Flight
The Dornier D228 full-flight simulator begins operation at Braunschweig Research Airport. The project lays the foundation for Simtec’s expertise in certified flight simulation, 6-DOF motion, and real-time control.
1994: From Flight Simulation to Entertainment
Simtec enters themed entertainment with Galaxy at Phantasialand, which was then one of Europe’s largest simulator attractions. Sixteen independently controlled motion platforms bring Simtec’s flight simulation expertise to a public ride experience.
1996: Motion Meets Automotive Testing
Simtec brings its motion technology into automotive testing with Johnson Controls. The project marks the beginning of the HEXaDRIVE® test systems and enables road loads and seat wear to be reproduced in repeatable laboratory simulations.
1998 – 2000: Taking Simulation to the World Stage
With major Expo projects in Lisbon and Hanover, Simtec demonstrates its ability to deliver large motion simulator attractions for international audiences. These projects expand Simtec’s role from specialized simulator engineering to complex visitor experience systems.
2005: From Motion System to Turnkey Attraction
Simtec delivers Alaska Ice Adventure at ZOOM Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen. The project becomes Simtec’s first complete turnkey simulator attraction, combining motion technology, media, and audiovisual integration into one immersive public experience.
2010: A Major Step into China
For the Shanghai Expo, Simtec delivers a custom FUNRIDE™ 360 simulator under an exceptionally tight schedule. The project marks Simtec’s first major step into China and shows how quickly complex motion systems can move from engineering to operation.
2011: A New Home for the Next Chapter
Simtec moves into its new headquarters on Hermann-Blenk-Straße in Braunschweig. With larger offices, assembly halls, and its own pilot training center, the new facility creates space for the company’s next stage of growth.
2015: HEXaFLITE® Takes Flight
First HEXaFLITE® – The Liaoning Science & Technology Museum in Shenyang opens with a compact Simtec HEXaFLITE® 16 flying theater. The project becomes an early milestone for Simtec’s flying theater technology in China.
2016: HEXaFLITE® Takes Off at Scale
The first HEXaFLITE® 72 marks a new chapter for Simtec’s flying theater technology, bringing full 6-DOF motion to a 72-seat platform. Since then, the system has proven its success internationally, with 15 HEXaFLITE® 72 units installed worldwide.
2018: Motion Takes a New Form
Simtec introduces an innovative kinetic digital signage system – ScreenFLITE® – that marks a significant step in the evolution of motion-based media technology. The project demonstrates how Simtec’s engineering expertise drives new development.
2019: Building More Space for Big Ideas
Simtec expands its production facilities in Braunschweig to create more space for the assembly, integration, and testing of increasingly complex motion systems.
2024: Flying Theater, Reimagined for Small Spaces
First HEXaFLITE® mini in Europe. Simtec brings flying theater technology into compact spaces. The installation at Mercury Towers in Malta shows how full 6-DOF flight experiences can be realized even within limited building conditions.
2025: A New Generation of Dark Ride Motion
HEXaPOT® technology reaches a major international flagship dark ride project in USA. The milestone highlights Simtec’s role in engineering complex motion systems for next-generation immersive attractions.
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Flight Simulation Roots and Engineered Motion Realism
Motion is not treated as a standalone effect. It is engineered as controlled system behavior — shaped by mechanical design, hydraulics, control architecture, software, safety logic, and precise synchronization. The result is motion that is measurable, repeatable, and designed for safe, reliable, and long-term operation.
Our technical foundation is rooted in real flight simulation and certified pilot training. This background continues to shape how we think about motion realism: not as exaggerated intensity, but as physically credible movement, engineered system response, frame-accurate synchronization, and motion that feels right.
One of Simtec’s defining strengths is the deliberate combination of Ride Systems, Test Systems, and R&D applications within one engineering organization. Experience from flight simulation, themed entertainment, vehicle testing, industrial validation, and research environments continuously informs how we develop product platforms and custom motion solutions.
This cross-domain technology transfer helps us translate creative, technical, and operational requirements into motion systems that work in the real world, whether the goal is an immersive guest experience, a repeatable test or R&D environment, or a custom-engineered solution beyond standard platforms.
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The Best Trust Simtec
Simtec is proud to have provided products and services to world-famous brands and companies.
Our Global Organizational Structure
Simtec combines a focused German engineering organization with wholly owned companies in Asia and North America. This structure keeps engineering responsibility, technical decision-making, and quality standards closely connected while giving clients direct access to Simtec in key international markets.
Simtec Systems GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
Simtec Systems GmbH is the parent company and engineering core of the Simtec Group. Product development, system architecture, assembly, factory acceptance testing, engineering responsibility, and group-wide quality principles are anchored here.
This central structure keeps technical decisions close to the teams that develop and validate our systems.
Simtec Asia Co., Ltd., Shanghai & Wuhan, China
Simtec Asia is a wholly owned subsidiary and an integral part of the Simtec Group with locations in Shanghai and Wuhan. It connects customers and projects across Asia directly with Simtec’s wider engineering organization and provides the regional perspective needed to operate effectively in one of our most important international markets.
Rather than functioning as an independent distributor, Simtec Asia works within the same organizational, technical, and quality framework as the parent company in Germany.
Simtec North America, Inc., Los Angeles, California, USA
Simtec North America is Simtec’s wholly owned subisdiary for the North American market and extends the group’s engineering-led partnership model into the region.
Its role is to create a direct connection between North American clients, partners, and projects and Simtec’s global organization. This gives customers regional access and proximity while keeping engineering responsibility, system expertise, and technical decision-making closely connected across the group.
Simtec simulation technology GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
Simtec simulation technology GmbH is a separate legal entity within the Simtec Group dedicated exclusively to professional pilot training.
Simtec simulation technology operates Simtec’s Dornier D228 full-flight-simulator and represents an important part of the group’s roots in professional flight simulation. Its activities are organizationally separate from the development, engineering, and delivery of Simtec Systems products and customer projects.
Certified Quality and Safety Standards
Our commitment to excellence is backed by international certifications, ensuring compliance with global amusement ride and industrial regulations.
ASTM F2291 Certification
Simtec Ride Systems were awarded the ASTM F2291 certification, the global safety standard regulating ride design to ensure passenger safety.
DIN EN 13814 Certification
Simtec Ride Systems were awarded the DIN EN 13814 certification, the European safety standard regulating ride system safety.
GB 8408 Certification
Our structural lifecycle engineering is strictly calculated to meet or exceed GB 8408, China’s safety standard for large amusement rides.
ISO 9001:2015 Certification
Complete quality management governance over our structured engineering requirements and supplier networks.
Specialized Testing Certification
Proven capability to deliver dynamic platforms certified for hazardous and explosion-risk zones under ATEX / IECEx.
Testimonial
“Simtec makes the impossible, possible.”
Advent Allen Entertainment
Strong Roots in Global Industry Networks
Simtec is an active member of leading international themed entertainment, amusement park, and machinery manufacturer associations globally.