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The Shanghai Expo Cultural Park has unveiled a nighttime experience with an ingenious immersive design that blends natural flora with enchanting light artistry. Immersive Night Tour Blends Nature with Imaginative Light and Projection Technology The Shanghai Expo Cultural Park has unveiled a nighttime experience with an ingenious immersive design that blends natural flora with enchanting light artistry. Edited by EE Staff Attractions May 7, 2026 Theme Parks Located in the heart of the Shanghai Expo Cultural Park, the Shanghai Greenhouse Garden features three themed pavilions—Coastal Sandbar, Cloud Forest, and Mist Canyon—each showcasing rare global flora and breathtaking natural landscapes. The Greenhouse Garden is Asia’s largest glass conservatory, known as the “City of Wild Plants.” Its latest night tour projection not only showcases the Garden’s natural wonders but also highlights exceptional projection capabilities designed and installed by Barco. The project seamlessly integrates projection systems with landscaping and creative content to produce a visual spectacle. Images courtesy of Barco. The highly irregular projection surfaces, featuring curved glass walls, trees, cacti, and rocky formations presented some very unique challenges for the team. This demanded extraordinary precision in color calibration and image alignment. Civil engineering, decoration, greenery, and multimedia projector setup were conducted simultaneously, increasing coordination difficulty and potential obstructions to the light path. In addition, projector placement required meticulous pre-visualization to avoid plant coverage, heat exposure, and to ensure stable mounting in all locations. Images courtesy of Barco. A total of forty-nine Barco G-series projectors brought the immersive storytelling to life across all three pavilions. The Coastal Sandbar Pavilion offers a captivating introduction to the immersive experience. “The Journey Begins” uses two G60-W7 projectors to immediately draw visitors into the story with meticulously designed visuals. As guests continue, “The Water Ritual” comes to life through four G62-W11 projectors, animating two massive baobab trees, the ground, and surrounding stone platforms with lively, playful imagery. The journey progresses into “The Pillar Jungle,” where two G62-W14 projectors cast dynamic lighting patterns onto three giant cacti, creating an interactive sound and light experience that responds to visitors as they pass by. The experience culminates with “The Starry Party,” which integrates sixteen G60-W7 projectors to create a fully immersive environment. This is where visitors can trigger interactive effects, such as flocks of butterflies and wings of light that gather at their touch—making the environment both magical and participatory. Images courtesy of Barco. In the Cloud Forest Pavilion, “Beauty in Harmony” employs five G100-W22 projectors to display vibrant scenes of rainforest life. These units provide 22,000 lumens of light using a single-chip laser phosphor projector with up-to-date input capabilities and future-proof design with full operational flexibility through a wide lens range. The projections feature lush flowers, hummingbirds, and lizards on uneven landscape surfaces, seamlessly intertwined with animations of robots and alien flora encountering a gorilla. The blend of natural and fantastical elements creates a rich, layered visual narrative. Additionally, “Passing Warmth” applies two G60-W7 projectors to illuminate an L-shaped fallen tree installation, illustrating the natural process of trees nurturing fungi as they grow into mushrooms. The Misty Canyon Pavilion immerses visitors in a world of vibrant flora and fauna. “Flower Road Drift” uses nine G60-W7 projectors to light up a vivid petal pathway where lizards, frogs, and other small creatures appear and disappear beneath the blossoms. The projections blend seamlessly with surrounding floral pillars and scenic decoration, enveloping visitors in a dazzling ocean of blooms. “Floral Waterfall Drift” combines the power one G62-W11 and one G62-W14 projector to project a 10-meter-tall cascading image over a rock-face waterfall, merging the motion of real water with a mesmerizing stream of light. Finally, “Blooming Rebirth” features seven G100-W22 projectors forming a circular immersive space that revisits the adventurous journey of robots and alien plants through cinematic visuals, providing a memorable conclusion to the pavilion’s narrative. This project showcases the unique charm of the Shanghai Greenhouse Garden while highlighting Barco’s exceptional projection capabilities in complex environments. In all, the project uses a total of 49 projectors to provide vivid color accuracy and rich detail to create an immersive 4K visual space. Low-noise operation ensures a serene and uninterrupted experience for the audience. Beyond delivering high-performance equipment, Barco provided flexible engineering expertise and tailored solutions, creating an experience that exceeded client expectations, enhanced the city’s cultural identity, and redefined the standards of nighttime cultural tourism. For more information: Barco G100-W22 Shanghai Expo Cultural Park Read more about theme parks and attractions >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

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Archive of Entertainment Engineering Magazine's past newsletters. Video Archive Click on a link below to view past videos One-on-One: Henry O'Bryan of Biomerics on Hobby Engineering and Creativity One-on-One: Chris Porter of igus on Amusement Park Technology Announcing Our Relaunch: Interview with EE Co-Founder Terry Persun Video intro credits: Theme Parks El Charcoal Video of roller coaster Roller Coaster Stock Videos by Vecteezy Sports & Games Yevhen Roshchyn Video of car Vehicle Stock Videos by Vecteezy Stage Events Media Whale Stock Video of stage event Adventure Stock Videos by Vecteezy

Sign up for Entertainment Engineering Magazine's newsletter for the latest innovative technologies and epic applications. Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration, insights, and compelling applications. View past newsletters here. Help us ensure our content remains relevant and valuable. Please tell us about your expertise and current challenges. First name* Last name* Company name Job title Engineering Expertise (please check all that apply) Electrical/Electronics Fluid Power Materials Mechanical Other / Additional Expertise Tell us more about your expertise What is your most pressing technology, tech-transfer, or innovation challenge? Company Size 0–50 51–250 251–1000 Over 1000 Primary Industry (please check all that apply) Aerospace Automation Automotive Broadcast (Radio, TV, etc.) Communications/ Telecommunications Computers/ Peripherals Construction Consumer Products Entertainment Heavy Equipment Industrial/ Manufacturing Machine Tool Marine Medical/ Life Sciences Military/ Government Packaging and Production Robotics Semiconductor Other Purchasing influence or involvement (please check all that apply) Computers/ Peripherals Factory Automation Hydraulics/ Pneumatics Mechanical Components Motors and Motion Control Plastics and Other Materials Robotics Sensors and Transducers Software Support Components Other Favorite Type of Entertainment (please check all that apply) Amusement Parks Books/Reading Computer/Internet Concerts Games Movies Music Outdoor Sports Television Theater/Stage Performances Other Email* Subscribe or Renew Your Free Subscription Our team thanks you.

High performance tooling proves essential in motorcycle design and rider experience. Precision Tooling Solutions Meets Creative Motorcycle Innovation High performance tooling proves essential in motorcycle design and rider experience. Kennametal Sports Aug 21, 2025 Cool Stuff When you strive for innovation, you can’t get much more advanced or even cooler than the partnership between Kennametal and Kraus Motor. High-performance tooling and sleek surface finishes make the perfect combination for unequaled craftsmanship. Kraus Motor is a custom CNC shop that designs and manufactures ergonomics, suspensions, and braking systems for motorcycles. Their focus is on consumer products based in an industry that is all about aesthetics and quality of finish. And that is super important to them because each product is front and center for the customer to see. All photos courtesy of Kennametal and Kraus Motor Co. When Kennametal learned that Kraus Motor had been fighting with different tooling for their aluminum and stainless steel products to obtain the right finish quality they needed, our representatives stepped in and presented solutions to solve their machining challenges. According to Satya Kraus, Owner of Kraus Motor Co., “The quality of the tooling has been great. Being able to speak with people who know what you're talking about—and are machinists and have done machining makes a big difference when you have a technical question. There's somebody there who understands what you're talking about and has some experience with it. I've found we get that with Kennametal.” Kraus Motor runs a ton of tooling through their shop and is making a big push to transform a majority of their drilling and milling solutions to Kennametal. Satya highlights that his machinists and programmers appreciate the Kennametal systems, tooling, and catalogs. A key benefit is the ability to load tooling models into their CAM systems directly. As a leader in their industry, Kraus Motor designs and fabricates their products using lathes, 5-axis machines and horizontal and vertical machines. Some of their complex tooling includes the use of 3D machining for their ball-end finishes. With so many machines and the need for several types of tools including Beyond™ Evolution cut-off inserts, Kennametal provides innovative options at every stage of product development. “You want to work with companies that are continuing to develop,” Satya said. As the industry continues to shift toward performance, ergonomics has become Kraus Motor's primary focus. Their research and development team, composed of experienced riders, understands what customers seek to experience. “Ergonomics is the first thing we attack. We set that bike up for the individual. If they are comfortable on that bike, they are confident on that bike. Then they are going to be able to use the OEM performance to its extent before they start adding some really high-grade suspension and braking technologies,” Satya explains. Kraus Motor is dedicated to producing products that require multiple operations and have features that must be precisely aligned with each other. With Kennametal’s precision tooling solutions and Kraus Motor’s dedication to creating a new functional experience for the rider, their partnership is set to push the boundaries of motorcycle design and manufacturing. For more information: Kennametal Kraus Motor Beyond Evolution Cut-Off Insert Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

How large synchronized telescopes utilize industrial devices and PC-based control technology. Discovering Traces of the Big Bang Requires Telescopes with Precise Controls How large synchronized telescopes utilize industrial devices and PC-based control technology. Edited by Terry Persun Cool Stuff Dec 9, 2025 The Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC–Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands), a research institute at the University of La Laguna, Spain, operates two astronomical observatories on the Canary Islands: the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma and the Teide Observatory on Tenerife. These two locations enable astrophysicists to explore the limits of space. To do this, the IAC partnered with Beckhoff. The partnership between IAC and Beckhoff began with the first telescope for the Q-U-I Joint Tenerife Experiment (QUIJOTE I) over twelve years ago. Its aim was to characterize the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and other galactic and extragalactic emission processes in frequency ranges from 10 to 42 GHz, and to discover traces of the Big Bang in this way. All other images ©Beckhoff. The telescope’s enormous dimensions are precisely aligned with stars and galaxies and tracked using a control system based on TwinCAT 2 NC PTP and a C5102 19-inch slide-in Industrial PC, which precisely controls the azimuth and elevation of the telescope. In addition to the digital and analog inputs and outputs required to control the telescope, the EL6688 (IEEE 1588/PTP) communication interface facilitated the programming and implementation of the Precision Time Protocol. This EtherCAT Terminal supports PTPv1 (IEEE 1588-2002) and PTPv2 (IEEE 1588-2008) as a device in the IEEE 1588 synchronization system. “Clock synchronization is crucial for synchronizing telescopes very precisely with the movements of the stars and galaxies being observed,” states Jose Miguel Herreros, Engineering Director of IAC. Another major challenge was moving the axes with exceptional precision at both very slow speeds and higher speeds. The reason for this was the significant moment of inertia on the direct drive of the azimuth axis, which required extensive adjustments to the speed controller in the AX2000 servo drive used at the time, recalls Roberto Iraola, Sales Manager at Beckhoff, who adds: “This was fundamental to the project’s success.” This project was followed by the QUIJOTE II telescope for the TFGI (Thirty and Forty GHz Instrument), which consists of a total of 30 receivers. AX5000 digital compact servo drives were already in use with this telescope. Beckhoff developed both telescopes in close cooperation with Spanish company IDOM, while IAC employees developed the control software. In 2022, both control systems were migrated to TwinCAT 3 and C5240 19-inch slide-in Industrial PCs. “We are currently working with Beckhoff on many projects such as ‘Harmoni’ for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), robotic telescopes, and various instruments mounted on these telescopes,” says Jose Miguel Herreros. All other images ©Beckhoff. Extensive Modernization The Carlos Sánchez (TCS) and IAC80 telescopes at the Teide Observatory on Tenerife are manually controlled by astronomers using computer applications that were developed back in the 1990s. Although some modernization measures have been carried out, a large part of the control system is still based on components that are now completely outdated. A project that started in mid-2019 and has not yet been completed aims to migrate the control systems of these telescopes to state-of-the-art, robust software and hardware, and to implement advanced remote control in the process. This future high-level control software will be based on the ROS (Robot Operating System) open-source operating system, while the underlying control architecture will be based on EtherCAT and TwinCAT 3 from Beckhoff. To reduce the possibility of technical risks affecting the project, the team developed a telescope simulator to represent the telescopes’ drive system and data network, and provide a virtual test bed for developing and testing the new system. An ongoing investigation is assessing the suitability of using TwinCAT Vision for automatic star tracking by telescope—an autoguiding system has been selected for testing and can also be used for other telescope tracking systems. All other images ©Beckhoff. Different Site, Same Technology The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM) on the edge of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, sitting at an altitude of 2396 meters in the municipality of Garafía (La Palma), boasts one of the most comprehensive telescope technologies in the world. Thanks to the clear atmosphere and its location far away from disruptive light waves, the observatory offers ideal conditions for astronomical research. This is why the location has been home to some of the largest-ever telescope projects as well as the new generation of Cherenkov telescopes for exploring the universe using very high-energy gamma rays. The observatory operates what is currently the world’s largest optical and infrared telescope, the Gran Telescopio de Canarias (GTC), alongside twenty other telescopes and astronomical instruments for applications such as nocturnal, robotic, solar, and astrophysical observations involving high energy. These telescopes have already made significant progress in exploring the universe: for example, identifying the most distant galaxy or confirming the existence of black holes and the accelerated expansion of the universe. Cross-Industry Application With a mirror diameter spanning 10.4 m, the GTC is the largest telescope at this observatory. Its planning phase began in 1994 and the GTC was put into scientific operation around 15 years later in 2009. As the technology of the control system specified at the time eventually became outdated, it has since been replaced by PC-based control. This occasion also enabled subsystems such as building automation and lighting systems to be integrated. “We have been able to implement these subsystems thanks to Beckhoff’s open PC-based technology and its experience in building automation,” explains Roberto Iraola. The close cooperation between Beckhoff and GTC extends not only to modernization, but also to the development of new technologies such as instrument calibration modules (ICMs). In the GTC, this system consists of a series of lamps with defined wavelengths and a mechanism for positioning a parabolic mirror that reflects the light onto the telescope mirror. PC-based control is used to control and dim the ICM’s spectral and incandescent lamps. A CANopen interface (master) for operation with the existing CANopen infrastructure was also implemented. Beckhoff technology has also played a role in other projects, such as monitoring and controlling the helium tank compressors and their refrigerants. *Lead image ©AdobeStock/underworld. For more information: Beckhoff TwinCAT Automation Software Industrial PC Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands Read about the automation of other telescopes >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Leveraging the power of spatial computing with manufacturing’s digital twin technology leads to more capabilities for engineering collaboration, from product design to manufacturing. Spatial Computing Allows Engineers and Designers to Bring 3D Designs to Life Leveraging the power of spatial computing with manufacturing’s digital twin technology leads to more capabilities for engineering collaboration, from product design to manufacturing. Terry Persun Cool Stuff Nov 3, 2025 From a recent release, Dassault Systèmes announced that 3D UNIV+RSES, which is powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, will use spatial computing capabilities to provide a new dimension to virtual twins, with the use of the “3DLive” visionOS app. According to the release, Dassault Systèmes partnered with Apple to integrate Apple Vision Pro into the next generation 3DEXPERIENCE platform. This deep engineering-level collaboration between Dassault Systèmes and Apple has brought together the best of both platforms to deliver what Dassault Systèmes considers a magical experience. With 3DLive, virtual twins created on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform will appear to leap off the screen and into a user’s physical space, enabling real-time visualization and team collaboration in lifelike environments. Apple Vision Pro incorporates advanced cameras, sensors, and tracking to allow virtual twins to interact with the physical world around them in 3D UNIV+RSES with scientific accuracy. According to the release, this unique and powerful way to model, simulate, manufacture, train, and operate delivers value across all industry sectors and roles, enabling customers to harness the full potential of 3D UNIV+RSES and spatial computing to adapt quickly to market demand, ensure scientifically accurate product quality, accelerate workforce training, and collaborate and share knowledge and know-how. Elisa Prisner, Executive Vice President – Corporate Strategy & Platform Transformation, Dassault Systèmes is quoted as saying, “Our engineering collaboration with Apple represents a bold advance that reveals the power of 3D UNIV+RSES, where 3D is a universal language for a new world combining real and virtual. The wide and growing adoption of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform by our clients makes this cooperation a unique value for our highly diversified customer base, seeing the high potential of 3D UNIV+RSES to collaborate and train our next generation AI-based experiences on their own virtual twin data set.” Mike Rockwell, Apple’s vice president of the Vision Products Group said, “Apple Vision Pro continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with spatial computing and is changing the way people work across key industries. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Dassault Systèmes to supercharge the 3DEXPERIENCE platform with spatial computing capabilities that will enable engineers and designers to easily bring 3D designs to life in ways not previously possible.” Enterprise customers can download Dassault Systèmes’ new 3DLive app for Apple Vision Pro. In addition, the release said that Dassault Systèmes has released a new Apple Vision Pro app—HomeByMe Reality—that allows users to imagine, explore, and visualize home interior options from the comfort of their own home, a furniture store, or in a showroom. All images courtesy of Dassault Systems. For more information: Dassault Systèmes 3DLive HomeByMe Reality Apple Vison Pro Read more about virtual reality >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

“We were pushing the limits of the robots.” SISU Cinema Robotics and reaching new heights with motion control robotics. How Motion Control Makes Tron: Ares a Powerful New Visual Experience “We were pushing the limits of the robots.” SISU Cinema Robotics and reaching new heights with motion control robotics. Joe Gillard Film and TV Aug 12, 2025 Tron: Ares is the third installment of Disney's Tron franchise. The film stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, and other, as well as engineers, cinematographers, and others working behind the scenes to create the movie magic that’s possible in 2025. ALSO FROM EE: WATCH: One-on-One with Chris Porter of igus Tron has always made use of innovative special effects and this latest installment carries on that technological legacy. In an interview SISU Cinema Robotics, the company responsible for motion control robotics on the film, explained a little bit about the innovations in motion control used. Films make use of robotics and motion control to capture interesting or difficult shots, allowing the camera to jump or move around an object or person in quick or unusual patterns. Scary shots in Tron: Ares Cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth and SISU's Mike Morgan explained how the safety-conscious SISU Cinema Robotics pulled off some harrowing shots, in an interview published on YouTube. “We had some shots in our film where we had Jared Leto laying on his back and a 12-inch probe lens half an inch from his eyeball and rotated the camera up and then pulled back away from him, and that is terrifying,” said Cronenweth. The motion control and robotics are a crucial part of how the shots were able to get the desired look. “We wanted to create, in this digital world, when they’re in the web, this very mechanical program perspective of things,” said Cronenweth. Watch the full interview below: And here is a trailer for TRON: Ares: Learn more about SISU Cinema Robotics Learn more about Tron: Ares . Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

This education center required lighting that could adjust vertically and rotate with precision, while also blending in with the aesthetics of the space. Specialized Lighting Illuminates Environmental Education Center This education center required lighting that could adjust vertically and rotate with precision, while also blending in with the aesthetics of the space. Cool Stuff Aug 18, 2025 Museums Located in an Illinois forest preserve near the convergence of three rivers that form the Illinois River, Four Rivers Environmental Education Center’s visitor center needed a variety of interior and exterior spaces, including a 2,000-gallon fish tank, to immerse visitors in the region’s natural habitat. Wight and Company, partnering for lighting and design with Bluestone and Associates, worked on the overall design and engineering for the project, led by architect Ania Szulc. Szulc was uniquely suited for the large-scale master planning and detailed work on such pedestrian-scaled spaces because of prior planning and design for parks and recreation projects, public and educational projects, and private commercial client applications. All photos courtesy of Alcon Lighting. A two-phase approach was selected for the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, which is part of the Forest Preserve District in Will County. IL. The initial phase involved converting an underutilized classroom into office space. Phase two involved the architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural infrastructure desig, which was carried out to support the exhibit scope of work designed by Bluestone Associates. The main exhibit is located in the confluence wing of the interpretive center, featuring a 2,000-gallon fish tank and mussels and bird exhibits. Additionally, there is an outside bird bath with a heated pad, providing water for birds year-round. To find the best lighting option to enhance the exhibits, Wight and Company’s challenge was to find the right museum-like lighting they could that also blended with the existing architecture and aesthetics of the education center. All photos courtesy of Alcon Lighting. Overall, the project used 89 of Alcon Lighting’s multi-sized LED track light. This LED track light is stylish and durable, with an aluminum body and clear glass lens. The track head adjusts 180° vertically and rotates 358° for precise lighting control, with a color temperature switch that transitions between 3000K, 3500K and 4000K. The track light met the flexibility required for beam spread and color temperature. The track light’s simple design also blended perfectly with the aesthetics of the space. For more information: Alcon Lighting Wight and Company Bluestone and Associates Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

The increase in the number of EVs on the road has also increased the demand for more charging stations, which require high-end components to keep them running cool. Pump Technology Keeps EV Charging Stations Cool The increase in the number of EVs on the road has also increased the demand for more charging stations, which require high-end components to keep them running cool. KNF Cool Stuff Jul 9, 2025 Sports The world has become more environmentally conscious, and emissions regulations are becoming stricter, making electric vehicles (EVs) increasingly popular. As the demand for newer, better EVs increases, so too does the demand for the charging stations that are necessary for keeping EVs powered and operational. These stations will need to be installed both commercially and residentially as more drivers move to EVs. Also from EE: Hydraulic Gimbal Aids Iron Man’s Motion Control Because charging stations output so much electricity, they also generate substantial amounts of heat. There are three different levels of chargers, with levels one and two available for both public and private use and level three available for public use only. The level three DC Fast Chargers (DCFCs) can output up to 500 A and 350 kW. Even more powerful chargers are on the horizon, which could be capable of outputting more than 400 kW and charging a vehicle to 200-mile range in less than eight minutes. How Cooling Systems Work Liquid cooling works by pumping a fluid, called coolant, through pipes or tubes, absorbing heat and dissipating it away from critical components. This reduces the temperature of those critical components, including capacitors, inductors, and control circuits, leading to more efficient charging and longer product life. The coolant is typically water mixed with glycol to prevent freezing or boiling. High quality liquid pumps are essential for effective liquid cooling operations. Constant and consistent flow is required for these systems to function properly. This ensures heat is being adequately transferred away from the element while also keeping the coolant at an appropriate temperature. Reliability is also key, as leaked coolant could result in catastrophic equipment damage. Photo from Depositphotos.com Liquid Pump Experts KNF has extensive experience creating state-of-the-art diaphragm liquid pumps for a variety of OEM and process industry applications. These pumps are self-priming and dry run safe, with flow rates ranging from 0.018 to 12.4 l/min and pressures up to 16 bar (rel.). KNF pumps are suitable for use with a variety of liquids, including abrasive and corrosive media and offer clean and reliable operation. Because of this, KNF pumps are trusted in some of the most demanding applications. In addition to offering a wide range of liquid pump series, KNF also provides custom options for all liquid diaphragm pumps. Pump heads, valves, and diaphragms are all available in various materials, while hydraulic and electrical connections can also be customized. Several motor options are available. KNF’s modular design approach allows pumps to be tailored to specific applications and ensures customer needs will be met. Cooling is Critical More power is required for EV chargers to provide faster charging. However, more power also leads to more heat generated. This makes cooling, specifically liquid cooling, an essential part of their operations. This is especially true in the larger, publicly available fast chargers, which need to output huge amounts of power to charge vehicles quickly and effectively. Faster charging is important for increased adoption of EVs, but it is also directly correlated to excess heat generation. Many readily available cooling systems are unable to adequately cool EV chargers quickly or efficiently enough, leading to slower charging speeds, performance issues, and increased maintenance costs. Cooling is also important in EV charging station cables, which are required to transport large amounts of energy very quickly. Reaching adequate charging speeds requires cables that are capable of doing so, often resulting in large, bulky cables that can be difficult to maintain. Liquid cooled cables allow for faster charging and better performance while also being easier to handle. A New Era for EVs The latest data from the International Energy Agency estimates there are more than 40 million EVs on the road worldwide, an increase from about 26 million in 2022. Sales of electric vehicles are climbing worldwide, increasing substantially in North America, Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. Estimates vary, but predictions for percentage of global vehicle sales for EVs by 2030 are as high 86 percent. With this relatively new technology rapidly gaining in popularity, efficient and safe charging stations will be a necessity. For more information: KNF's Website Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Advertise with Us Why Advertise with Entertainment Engineering Magazine ? It's human nature to be curious and seek entertainment — that's why Entertainment Engineering exists in the first place! Here at Entertainment Engineering , we connect with our readers' insatiable curiosity to drive engagement, while providing an editorial package that focuses on content that is educational and valuable to our audience's jobs. The result is a publication that isn't just relevant, but fun, too! By prioritizing our readership, we guarantee a highly-engaged audience to our advertisers. We'd love to talk to you about how we can highlight the coolest and most innovative applications of your products to an audience that is enthusiastic, engaged, and interested in your product. To request our media kit, please message us below First name* Last name* Email* Company name Any specific inquiries you have? Submit 5 Ways to Attract a Design Engineer’s Attention The Entertainment Engineering Philosophy 1. Show Them Something Interesting - Entertainment Engineering incorporates the FUN design elements in editorial that focuses on the latest movies, games, amusement park, and more. 2. Teach Them Something They Don’t Know - Entertainment Engineering digs into TECHNOLOGY to find out what new unique electrical, mechanical, fluid power, materials, software and computer products are being used behind the scenes. 3. Excite Them About the Possibilities - Entertainment Engineering provides the platform to get an engineer’s CREATIVE processes flowing, allowing them to consider how the product they’re reading about will fit with the project they’re working on—we call it Tech Transfer. 4. Deliver Them to A Place of Information - Entertainment Engineering opens deep links pertinent to the page an engineer is reading, giving them the chance to deepen their learning and have access to the companies and products their interested in. 5. Repeat The Process - Entertainment Engineering provides the right formula of Technology, Creativity and Fun to attract an engineer month after month.

A behind-the-scenes look at the drive systems, automation, and comms that keep America’s #1 Broadway musical running smoothly. The Technology Behind The Lion King Musical’s North American Rafiki Tour A behind-the-scenes look at the drive systems, automation, and comms that keep America’s #1 Broadway musical running smoothly. Nicole Persun Stage Events Dec 16, 2025 Lead photo: Cheetah and Giraffes with the sun in the background | Photo by Joan Marcus and courtesy of Disney Since its debut in 1997, more than 114 million people have experienced the awe-inspiring artistry of Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway. The musical has won six Tony Awards, is Broadway’s third-longest running show in history, and is the highest-grossing Broadway production of all time. From the iconic first notes of “Circle of Life,” to the song’s reprise at the end of the final act, every element of the show — moving sets, puppets, dancers, actors, and the crew behind the scenes — must work together with precision. To celebrate The Lion King’s latest North American Tour, Entertainment Engineering spoke with Head Carpenter Kyle Techentin at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre about what goes into running this iconic and beloved show, and the technology that helps make it happen. Managing 23 Axes of Motion As the Head Carpenter, Kyle Techentin manages the setup, takedown, and ongoing maintenance of the show. “We start with a blank canvas,” he said. “The stage, lighting, hardware — all of it is ours.” The show never stops, so the production owns duplicate sets: one for the current city, and one that travels to the next location on the tour. “If something breaks,” Techentin explained, “we send it to the upcoming city to be maintenanced, so that it’s ready for the next stop.” This strategy helps keep the tour running continuously without unforeseen breaks. The Lion King musical has gone on multiple tours since its inception, with slightly different set configurations evolving over time to suit the needs of the locations it visits. The show is currently touring North America on their Rafiki Tour; the tour is open-ended, with cities currently announced through the end of September 2026. “There was actually more automation in the Gazelle Tour,” Techentin said, referring to the previous tour. “We cut the set down by about four feet to be able to fit it into smaller theaters.” This resulted in more manual set pieces and fewer electronically-operated elements — but there are still plenty of ways that technology fits into the show. The production itself has 23 axes of motion. “Anything that moves is considered its own axis,” Techentin explained. Pride Rock — a motorized staircase that travels across the stage on a track circuit system — is considered one axis of motion. The grasses — props with wooden bases that also move across the stage on the track — are another. The diaphanous fabric sun is its own axis, too. Company of The Lion King on Broadway during “Circle of Life” | Photo by Matthew Murphy and courtesy of Disney “There can be up to thirty-six actors onstage at a time, and many of the costumes greatly hinder the actor’s ability to see,” Techentin said, emphasizing the importance that everything runs according to plan. All axes must move with precision and reliability to ensure a safe environment for the actors and crew — and an unforgettable experience for the audience. Motion Control Pride Rock is perhaps the most iconic and recognizable part of the set, traveling out from the wings and turning in slow circles while the actors move through a scene. Its path is operated by a circuit track system in the stage that incorporates pneumatic switching units and eleven magnetic sensors. Inside Pride Rock, there’s a battery powered friction drive that controls its speed and timing as it moves along the track. A top-down camera allows a stage manager to monitor its progress in relation to the actors onstage. Peter Hargrave as Scar atop Pride Rock | Photo by Matthew Murphy and courtesy of Disney Entertainment Engineering also got an inside look at the mechanical wildebeest “herd” that is used to indicate the fateful stampede scene toward the end of Act I. As Simba runs from the stampede of wildebeest, there are three visual elements used to create a sense of depth onstage. First, in the background, a piece of fabric painted with tiny wildebeest rotates on a wheel to give the illusion of the herd running toward the audience from a distance. Then, in the middle ground, is a motor driven “herd,” which consists of multiple wooden wildebeests mounted on rotating arms. If there’s an error, the crew can flip a switch to “kill the beast” and operate it manually. Finally, in the foreground, actors in large wildebeest masks crowd the stage. It’s an intense moment in Simba’s journey — but it’s also an intense part of the musical for the crew due to the various set axes happening simultaneously. Closeup photo of the mechanical, motor-driven wildebeest “herd” taken by EE Staff with permission. This combination of set design, motorized components, and actors all add to the grand scope of one of the most pivotal and emotional scenes in the musical. How it All Comes Together It takes about 120 people — including actors and behind-the-scenes crew — with a minimum of three stage managers (there are five on staff) to run the show on any given night. Techentin manages many of the moving parts at his onsite automation desk that incorporates a Blackmagic Design control system and software used to monitor all of the set axes. The backstage support crew stays in touch using a professional-grade, multi-channel intercom system from Clear-Com, known for their complete connectivity and effortless scaleability. Techentin relies primarily on Hudson Scenic for much of the motion control and automation components, including custom jobs when required. “They get us whatever we need,” Techentin said. When watching Disney’s The Lion King Musical, it’s easy to get swept away in the incredible set designs, puppets, costumes, and superb acting. The technology might be subtle, but the seamlessness is intentional. From friction drive motors, to all-LED lighting, to CO2 “geysers,” and more, all the components — and the crewmembers who operate those components — are an essential part of the magic. The result? A truly unforgettable experience. For more information: Disney’s The Lion King Musical Seattle Theatre Group / Broadway at the Paramount Theatre Blackmagic Clear-Com Hudson Scenic Studio Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next