Cruden is the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of interactive, motion-based racing simulators and a developer of motion-based rides.

The company’s founders – formerly of the Fokker Aircraft Company and FCS Racing Simulation – have been developing professional motion simulator technology since the 1990s for the aerospace industry and helped lead the technology transfer into the marine, automotive and motorsport industries.

As a result, Cruden has the world’s leading experts in motion-cueing and it is this industrial-grade accuracy and realism that distinguishes Cruden simulators from other ‘game’ simulator providers on the market.

Cruden has been working with the global attractions business since 2005. Its installations include Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, I-WAY in France, Magic Planet in Dubai and various static and mobile leisure and corporate entertainment attractions around the world.

The group’s headquarters are in Amsterdam, Netherlands, but it also has sales and service operations in North America, Australia, Singapore and South Africa. A big change for the company this year has been its move to a new purpose-built facility in Amsterdam.

Cruden is currently enjoying strong sales of its Hexathrill simulators to new market segments. By making the product 30 per cent more compact than the Hexatech model and priced at under €100,000 (US$122,800), it is proving attractive to mobile and corporate attractions.

"We are also seeing some of the technology developments we are making for our professional motorsport customers – race data analysis, seat harnesses and the creation of new tracks and scenery for example – creating even more appeal to the attractions industry," noted company spokesperson, Judy Collins.

"These are the sort of updates we can pass on to existing customers as part of regular updates to keep their attractions fresh. A good example is the racetrack on the moon we created for the I-WAY simulator centre. It’s beautiful and features a transparent glass driving surface and roller coaster-like section. They have been open for over four years now and are always coming up with excellent ways to keep customers coming back."

Collins added: "Cruden’s core skill is the ability to convert human input into accurate motion feedback. This provides a world of possibilities, which we are starting to explore. For example, we are currently developing a unique ‘multiple interactive ride’ concept that challenges the boundaries of interactivity.

"We want to create a ride that will see groups of guests work together to operate the vehicle or craft – whether as weight transfer or via the operation of controls – with each team members’ interactions contributing to the overall outcome of the challenge.