DB Show Control and Automation completed a full technical delivery for ECA2’s nightly production at Expo 2025 Osaka, providing a complete show control system that supported six months of continuous operation. The project drew together control, networking, video mapping, audio, lasers, lighting, PLC-based water effects, safety systems, flame control and automated reporting into a unified platform manufactured in the UK.
The installation required twelve equipment racks and numerous field panels positioned throughout the site, each designed to offer operational continuity. Failover measures were built into the architecture so that production could run with minimal risk of interruption during the extended operating season.
System Architecture Built Around Precision And Scale
The core of the project was a bespoke Show Supervisor interface designed to collect and process a large volume of technical data. The system gathered more than ten thousand data points from the field and presented key status information clearly to operators. This supported a fast response to any irregularities while giving production teams a complete overview of the site’s behaviour.
The technical requirements of the show demanded tight coordination across multiple effect categories. Video mapping covered a complex set of surfaces, while water, flame, laser and lighting systems required precise timing. The PLC-based water effects and dedicated safety PLC added further layers of control, each linked to the central system and programmed to stringent reliability standards. Automated reporting and data logging helped teams track performance across the six-month run.
Supporting ECA2’s Creative Vision For Expo 2025 Osaka
The production titled Under the Midnight Rainbow was created by ECA2 under the creative direction of Naoki Tanaka. The show occupied the Water Plaza and used a combination of light, water, fire and multimedia techniques to establish a distinct visual signature each night. A central vertical arch, standing eighteen metres high, carried a large cascade screen, with two wide water screens positioned on either side. The structure could be viewed across much of the Expo site, which placed additional emphasis on reliable long-range visibility, control stability and accurate synchronisation.
The creative brief drew on Japanese and French influences and referenced themes found in animism, anime and manga. The resulting style relied on a visual language that did not need spoken narration, which placed even greater importance on timing accuracy, media control and the interplay between physical effects and projected imagery.
Demonstrating Capability For High Throughput Environments
Across the full operating period, the system supported a fault-free run that handled large nightly audiences and repeated performances. For companies involved in complex visitor experiences, the project illustrates how robust control architecture underpins modern multimedia productions. It shows the value of integrated reporting, clear operator interfaces and strong redundancy planning when delivering long-term outdoor shows.
The project also highlights the ongoing collaboration between DB Show Control and Automation, ECA2 and 7thSense, contributing to a production that presented a high level of technical complexity through a focused, dependable control environment.
