The world’s first IMAX private theatre has been installed on a £170m super yacht by an East Yorkshire tech company.
SMART Technology Advisers, based in Hessle, was approached to design and project manage on-board theatre – a hybrid system which combined IMAX and Dolby Atmos technology - on the 93m-long Lady S superyacht.
The installation, which was two decks high, included a huge screen, 17 speakers and seven subwoofers.
SMART Technology Advisers also worked on soundproofing the theatre space - the first of its kind to be installed on a superyacht.
Elliot Dixon, marketing manager at SMART, said: “One of the first major challenges our senior technology adviser Tom Richardson encountered managing the relationship between IMAX and Dolby, in order to get them to work together on this system.
“They are big competitors, and it took some time, but we managed it. The owner of the superyacht had a request that he wanted the best sound system and viewing experience possible, but he did not want it to be heard from the outside of the cinema.
“We were first approached back in 2015, and the boat was launched in 2019, so it’s been a four-year project for us. Due to the theatre system being a hybrid between the two brands, Tom had to design the system from scratch - we still have the original paper drawing where he mocked up the first version of the concept."
Lady S is understood to be owned by a billionaire US businessman.
As well as the IMAX theatre, it also features a swimming pool, helipad, beach club and two fire pits and a 201-inch LED screen on the exterior deck.
It is able to accommodate up to 12 guests and almost 30 crew. When launched, it became the first superyacht to feature an IMAX cinema.
SMART Technology Advisers, which has offices in Waterside House in Hessle, was chosen to design and manage the onboard theatre, having grown a strong reputation in the industry.
“The sound system we fitted in was more powerful than the 1960s Woodstock concert,” Mr Dixon said.
“It has been brilliant for the company to be involved in the project. It really helps strengthen our reputation.
“The business has always been at the forefront of technology, and we have actually done a lot of world-firsts over the years. We have just never really shouted about what we do.
“We are travelling to the Boat International Superyacht Design Festival this weekend, to speak about the project and show people our work. That will be brilliant for us."
SMART Technology Advisers specialises in solutions for superyacht builds and refits.
The company works exclusively with people referred to as UHNWI - ultra high net worth individuals.
