A blend of motion, culture, and projection mapping dazzled audiences at a recent trade show

At InfoComm China 2025, Christie captivated audiences with an extraordinary video mapping display of a life-sized animatronic elephant. Drawing crowds throughout the three-day event, the exhibit combined lifelike movement with visually stunning projections, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AV technology. 

Our projection mapped elephant drew a crowd at InfoComm China 2025.

This showcase marked a groundbreaking moment: arguably the first indoor video mapping installation in China on a moving object. It fused cutting-edge technologies—high-resolution laser projectors, advanced camera-based auto-calibration and alignment software, AV-over-IP, and motion tracking—into a complete visual spectacle. 

The installation was the result of nearly a year’s effort by Christie’s technical and solutions delivery teams in China. According to Steven Sheng, senior technical and service manager, the elephant mapping is a continuation of Christie’s legacy of innovation, following the iconic wolf head mapping in 2016, the intricate pagoda mapping in 2021, and the awe-inspiring Temple video mapping at InfoComm China 2023. 

“From the wolf head to the Temple, each project is a leap forward in complexity and creativity,” says Steven. “We’ve built up deep technical expertise and a culture of innovation that lets us imagine and deliver experiences that redefine video mapping. This elephant is the next step in that evolution.” 

Turning imagination into experience 

Following the global success of the Temple mapping—a 6-meter-wide and 2-meter-high 3D-printed masterpiece that toured major ProAV trade shows like InfoComm Asia 2024 and Integrated Systems Europe 2025—Christie’s team set out to surpass themselves. The brief: deliver something even more eye-catching, with cultural significance and dynamic movement. 

“We wanted something more visceral, something that delivers impact at first glance,” Steven explains. “The elephant was a natural choice—it’s majestic, deeply symbolic across many cultures, and full of movement. In China, it stands for strength, wisdom, and prudence. In India and Thailand, it also represents reverence, intelligence, and good fortune.” 

Beyond its dramatic presence, the elephant mapping also serves a higher purpose: to ignite new ideas among Christie’s partners and customers in fast-growing sectors such as cultural tourism and themed entertainment, fueled by rising domestic travel and an increasing appetite for unique cultural experiences. 

“With this display, we’re showing what’s possible when you combine creativity with Christie technology,” says Steven. “This concept opens the door for interactive exhibits, immersive environments, and a new era of storytelling through projection.” 

Engineering the elephant 

Our team worked with a local vendor in Shanghai to engineer and build the elephant, starting with the exoskeleton. 

To bring this ambitious vision to life, Christie collaborated with a local vendor in Shanghai to engineer the animatronic elephant. Designed to fit within the trade show booth, the 2.5-meter-high, 2-meter-long figure features an exoskeleton with 12 points of articulation in the head, ears, trunk, and front legs—each movement meticulously tuned for realism and smooth integration with motion control systems. 

With the mechanical movements perfected, the team turned their attention to crafting a lifelike exterior, carefully selecting materials to encase the exoskeleton. “We experimented with various silicone compounds to find one that was malleable and had the right surface texture for projection,” says Steven. “The surface couldn’t be too glossy or too matte, and extensive testing and fine-tuning were required to achieve the ideal texture.”  

The team carefully selected materials to encase the exoskeleton, selecting a silicone “skin” that was an ideal texture for video mapping.

Then came the technical heart of the showcase: projection setup, motion tracking, and image calibration. Three Christie Jazz Series 4K2100-JS laser projectors were deployed, each delivering 21,350 lumens and crisp 4K UHD resolution. With a dynamic contrast ratio of 25,000:1 and powered by Texas Instruments’ 0.8” HEP DMD, the visuals were vivid and consistent—even on the moving silicone surface. A motion tracking system complemented the setup, allowing projected content to align precisely with specific parts of the elephant, no matter how subtly they shifted. 

We used three 4K2100-JS 1DLP laser projectors to projection map the elephant.

“The mapping process was extremely demanding,” Steven recalls. “We needed pinpoint calibration on a surface that was constantly shifting—each part moving independently. Integrating real-time signal transmission via our Terra SDVoE solution streamlined the process despite the project’s technical demand. It took months of testing, but the result was worth every effort.” 

After numerous rounds of rigorous testing and detailed adjustments, the team successfully aligned motion, projection, and signal delivery into a seamless system. The elephant—now fully animated and projection-ready—stood poised for its public debut. 

A roaring success on the trade show floor 

From the moment the doors opened at the China National Convention Center on April 16, the Christie booth quickly became a crowd magnet. Attendees gathered to witness the elephant come to life— its front legs lifting in a rhythmic stride, trunk swaying in harmony, head turning gently, and ears flapping with measured grace. All the while, vivid content danced across its form, shifting from lush floral patterns and organic textures to sleek industrial and metallic designs. 

“The response was phenomenal,” says April Qin, senior sales director for China. “This isn’t just a technical feat—it’s a convergence of hardware innovation, software precision, and cultural storytelling. With decades of experience, Christie is uniquely positioned to turn bold ideas into reality.” 

She adds that the elephant video mapping opens doors for real-world applications that blend physical movement with digital content, particularly in museums, experiential spaces, and entertainment venues. It’s a glimpse into a future where dynamic environments are brought to life through projection. 

“More than just a showcase, this reflects Christie’s deep investment in R&D and our commitment to empowering customers with inspiring, real-world AV solutions,” April says. “From immersive brand activations to next-generation live performances, the opportunities are limitless.”