History
LOBO's history starts in 1982 in Aalen with its foundation by Lothar Bopp. Since then, LOBO has been synonymous with homegrown German innovation and creation. Today, LOBO is one of the world's leading suppliers in the field of lasers and multimedia.
1982
LOBO electronic is founded by Lothar Bopp. The company's initial activities focus on equipping discotheques and developing custom-built lighting control systems.
1984
LOBO initially distributes laser systems from third-party manufacturers. Their disappointing quality level and massive deficits in operation and technical design lead to the initiation of their own, more comprehensive research and development program in the area of show laser technology.
1986
The business activities of LOBO Lighting Systems have recorded enormous growth both at home and abroad. Lighting systems are already being sold to Japan on a large scale. Due to the continuous expansion, new buildings are occupied. At the end of the year, the first LOBO laser controller, LACON-2®, celebrates its premiere.
1987
On the occasion of the "SIB '87", LOBO presents the first standardized solution to colorize a laser graphic at any position, based on the LACON-2® laser controller, the AMP-2 scanning unit and the so far unique RGB color mixing unit. This system, unique over the years and awarded with the SIB Award, is the initial spark for the international success of LOBO laser systems.
One of the first customers in the field of classical stages is the "Wagner Festspielhaus" in Bayreuth. Here, pioneering work is being done for further installations.
In the same year, the LOBO design group is founded. This not only allows the expansion into the steadily growing event market, but also provides valuable impetus for the development and ongoing enhancement of new products.
1988
LOBO introduces the legendary LACON-3® real-time laser controller to the market. It offers unmatched performance by bundling the latest achievements in parallel computing with a sophisticated user interface. With showframe management, mirror effect generation via the new AMP-3 scanner unit, and multi-channel animation, fundamentally new concepts are reaching the laser industry.
Even Cliff Richard, one of the first artists to directly benefit from this development on the occasion of a live television broadcast, marvels at the new possibilities of laser technology.
1990
LOBO makes history. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the GDR acquires a large laser system for the Palace of the Republic. In the presence of Mikhail Gorbachev, the system is inaugurated. In front of the palace, people shout "We are the people". After the event, the famous words "He who is late is punished by life" are uttered.
1991
Presence at many international trade shows established the LACON-3 platform and RGB color mixing unit as a new market standard around the world.
In the meantime, LACON-3® is growing into an entire product family with the LACON-3® plus, which combines two LACON-3® devices in one machine, and the LACON-3® Player Unit.
1992
LOBO is presented with the coveted Innovation Award of the State by the Minister of Economics.
LOBO has now established itself as one of the leading companies in the laser sector. LOBO laser systems can now be found in installations from South America to the Gulf region and the Far East in discotheques, IMAX cinemas and museums. LOBO is also setting new standards in the rental sector with events in the Middle East and the implementation of complex multimedia shows, such as in the Hoensch Pavilion at the Hannover Messe.
.On the occasion of the "Showtech" in Berlin, LOBO introduces the Laser Truck principle. Two 16-ton standard containers together form a mobile large laser system with integrated control room and almost 60 watts of white light laser power, ready for use in the shortest possible time. At the Olympic Games in Barcelona, the system impressively demonstrates its technical superiority in practice.
1993
On the occasion of its first participation in an American trade show, LOBO receives the prestigious LDI Award for the best laser technology.
1994
LOBO becomes a member of the "International Laser Display Organisation" (ILDA).
The same year sees the release of the ECONOMY LINE product family, designed for use in discotheques, theaters and advertising and incorporating the latest security monitoring systems. It consists of the EPU-3T player and the new ELGP-3 compact projector.
.1995
With the ILDA award-winning laser safety measurement system LMS-2, LOBO sets new standards in terms of laser show safety. For the first time, it is possible to assess the safety of scanned laser radiation in the audience area in the shortest possible time and fully automatically.
This year, the development of the new LACON generation and the signal transmission process DDL®, which was later awarded by ILDA, will start in the LOBO laboratories. DDL® is a high-speed optical bus that connects all interconnected components to form a self-contained safety system.
In search of new projection materials for large events, LOBO develops the Water Screen® system. It consists of fountain segments, each two meters long, that can be lined up in any order to provide a rectangular, wind-resistant and almost completely transparent projection surface for creating hologram-like laser, slide or video projections.
1996
Prof. Hermann Simon lists LOBO for the first time as the world market leader in laser show technology in his famous book "The Hidden Champions". In its research, the renowned "Handelsblatt" also comes across the realization that LOBO has in the meantime grown to become the market leader in its industry.
The live effect generators MICON-3® and MICON-5® presented on the occasion of the Photokina in Cologne make the ECONOMY LINE the perfect platform to create impressive laser shows live by means of two MIDI keyboards. MICON not only supports scanner mirrors and a direct evaluation of the sound signal, but is probably the first laser controller that can be controlled via DMX.
The AMP-5 high-speed scanner unit and the new RGB-A05 color mixing unit combine to create the first digital projector with unsurpassed efficiency.
Due to the high demand for Water Screens, LOBO develops an Indoor Water Screen®. Thousands of specially designed nozzles, housed in segments and attached to the ceiling, create a perfect waterfall ideal for rear projections.
.1997
LACON-5® celebrates its premiere at SIB. This first LACON-5® workstation follows a hybrid hardware approach, combining the transputer network of the LACON-3® platform with the computing power of the latest DSPs. This first step allows LOBO to develop shows for both the widely used LACON-3® systems and LACON-5® simultaneously.
.With the "Mercury", LOBO equips the third and last cruise ship of the Celebrity Cruises fleet with a laser entertainment system based on fiber optic technology. An entire series of seawater-resistant components has been developed to meet the customer's extremely high specifications, which no competitor was able to fulfill.
1998
In Valencia, the inauguration of the "Hemispheric" created by Santiago Calatrava, celebrated with a multimedia spectacle, causes an international sensation. ILDA names this show the outdoor laser show of the year.
For Europa-Park, Germany's leading theme park, LOBO develops a multimedia revolving theater in which the entire audience area can be moved between 6 technically differently equipped sceneries. 5 laser projectors, 40 slide projectors, 6 video projectors, special effects and physical experiences like wind, rain and temperature changes lead the visitor into a world of pure emotions.
.1999
The MODULA-5® controller sees the light of day. Its compact design, its extreme ease of use and the unmatched modular expansion possibilities make this device one of the most successful products LOBO has ever manufactured. Just by inserting expansion modules, this MO-based computer for playing laser shows becomes an interactive show development system via MIDI to a design console, a DMX laser system, a universal controller for controlling peripheral systems, or a component of an externally controlled multimedia system.
At mid-year, LOBO inaugurates its new, futuristic-looking company headquarters, which houses, among other things, the famous multimedia studio. This technically sophisticated studio allows even large events to be realistically simulated in advance.
2000
Viewers from 65 TV stations and more than two million visitors on site watch LOBO's laser spectacle live in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, which is the highlight of Germany's official millennium celebration. At exactly the same time, the show can be seen in the form of gigantic projectors at the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz and on the Porta Nigra in Trier. With further millennium projects in Germany, Austria, Hong Kong and Cape Town, LOBO proves its status as a one-stop shop for the implementation of shows on a large scale.
In October, LOBO will host this year's conference of the "International Laser Display Association" (ILDA), receiving around 120 representatives of laser companies from all parts of the world at its headquarters.
2001
With the second and final generation of the LACON-5 workstation, LOBO introduces the result of almost seven years of development work with installations in three German planetariums to the market. This completely new development in hardware and software is based on experience with previous systems, the wishes of the company's own design group and intensive discussions with customers, and offers features that stand out far from the usual market standard. These include, for example, the Laser Scanline® Video function, which allows the display of high-resolution, video-like images via conventional vector projectors.
At the first ILDA Awards Ceremony held online, LOBO receives more ILDA Awards than any other company for the third year in a row. With a total of nearly 50 awards in the short time of its membership, the LOBO design group has established itself as a force to be reckoned with at the forefront of international laser design.
2002
At a total of 4 international trade fairs, LOBO will present the TriDome® projection system developed for use in planetariums with the show "Mentopolis", which for the first time enables the dome-filling projection of laser graphics with unsurpassed accuracy.
In August, LOBO delights 1.2 million spectators on the banks of the Danube in Budapest on the occasion of the Hungarian National Day with a superlative laser spectacle featuring a total of 9 independently controllable high-performance laser projectors distributed throughout the city.
At the first ILDA Awards Ceremony held online, LOBO receives more ILDA Awards than any other company for the third year in a row. With a total of nearly 50 awards in the short time of its membership, the LOBO design group has established itself as a force at the forefront of international laser design.
2003
LOBO receives a major order from Costa, Europe's leading cruise line, to install sophisticated laser systems on a total of 5 ships.
LOBO is an exhibitor and official sponsor of the Middle East's first professional live entertainment exhibition, PALME in Dubai.
There, as at other international trade fairs, LOBO shows the consistent further development of the LACON-5 platform, among other things with the presentation of the SMS module as well as the GPS module for the synchronization of shows over arbitrary distances.
2004
In 2004, LOBO sets another innovative highlight with the first multicolor laser moving head called ZAPHIR®. It is available in a fiber-powered version with up to 15 W or alternatively with an integrated laser.
For the first time, LOBO is responsible for the staging of the Summernights open-air laser show at Holiday Park.
The company's expertise in multimedia continues to expand with sensational installations, such as on the world's largest cruise ship, the Queen Mary II, or in theme parks, such as Mines Wonderland in Kuala Lumpur or Habtoorland in Beirut.
.2005
The new DDL-2® concept celebrates its premiere. It allows remote control of all components of a laser system directly from the controller and also improves the already unsurpassed laser safety system from LOBO.
.With the first prototype of the self-balancing 12-line color mixing unit RGB-AO7, LOBO once again demonstrates its innovative strength in the laser display sector.
In the middle of the year, LOBO receives the International Show Award.
The world's largest private yacht will be topped with a gigantic X15 LOBO laser system, and the Sultan Bin Abdulasiz Foundation's science center in Saudi Arabia will open with a stunning multimedia laser show.
2006
The year begins with the spectacular presentation of the new Mercedes GL-Class at the Detroit Motor Show.
With a total of 88 awards, LOBO has not only topped the ILDA Awards for the eighth year in a row, but has also taken the lead in the 18-year awards ranking of the International Laser Display Association.
The year closes with the most spectacular use of lasers at Olympic-ranked events at the opening ceremony of the Asian Olympics in Doha.
2007
LOBO celebrates the 25th anniversary of the company in 2007.
In the Stuttgart Planetarium, LOBO is installing a TriDome projection system for the first time using four projectors.
In Holiday Park in Hassloch, "AMACEON" is a new attraction that heralds a new era in multimedia design with its unique integration of computer animation, video, lasers and special effects.
2008
After a sophisticated, sensational installation at the Dead Sea and numerous events, including the White Night in Bucharest, LOBO realizes complete show concepts, e.g. for Gazprom, Uralkali and Tecoms "SmartCity Malta".
Onboard the "Carnival Imagination", LOBO receives the 100th ILDA Award. A record in terms of ILDA Awards!
2009
The New Year's show in Bucharest marks the beginning of a new era in show laser technology. It was the first use of the revolutionary "sparks" series. With sparks, LOBO has rethought the setup and use of entertainment lasers. Thanks to the innovative PCS system, sparks are the brightest multicolor entertainment lasers on the world market.
For the Dieter Schwarz Foundation, LOBO creates an impressive start for the "experimenta" Science Center and sparks lasers create a worthy setting for the Innovation Award of the State of Baden-Württemberg.
2010
The highly successful sparks® lasers are showered with awards, including the VR Innovation Award, the redDot Award and the IF Design Award.
A large number of sparks® systems are going to Egypt and Japan. A multimedia installation based on sparks is realized in Hamedan. For Europa-Park, LOBO is responsible for the realization of the new attraction "Historama"; in the event sector, LOBO can be found at the World Economic Forum in Davos and stages the world premiere of the BMW "Vision Efficient Dynamics" prototype.
Last but not least, Lothar Bopp will receive ILDA's highest honor for his life's work - the "Career Achievement Award."
2011
A year of superlatives: LOBO is responsible for the concept, direction and realization of the anniversary Muscat Festival with 4 million visitors, presents BMW's new sub-brand "i", inaugurates the world's largest paper mill for corrugated board with a pompous multimedia show and is responsible for the overall realization of the opening of the "Wirtgen Group Technology Days".
From ILDA, LOBO receives the certification as "ILDA Accredited Professional Company" as one of only 4 companies.
At the end of the year, LOBO realizes an order worth millions in Nigeria and is also again awarded the East Württemberg Innovation Prize.
2012
The year begins with the launch of what willbe the largest fixed installation of entertainment lasers in Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat.
Shortly thereafter, LOBO turns 30.
More projects will follow in Turkmenistan as well as a large-scale projection in Baku on the occasion of the Eurovision Song Contest.
On the deck of Madame GU - a new, 94-meter super luxury yacht - 4 laser systems will be installed for entertainment purposes.
2013
As the official show act and at the same time the largest exhibitor, LOBO opens the Palm 2013 in Dubai in the presence of Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum. For this purpose, the multimedia spectacle "Mental Force" was specially produced.
As a product novelty, the waterproof marine outdoor projector bliss®-X4A is presented especially for yachts and similar demanding applications.
In November LOBO invites to the studios in Aalen. The result: the biggest international laser show meeting ever - ILDA Conference and Laser Freaks Meeting.
At the same time, this serves as the perfect setting to introduce a completely new product category: the infinity beam®, a powerful colossus of laser that almost literally outshines everything else in terms of outdoor laser brightness!
2014
LOBO creates a multimedia experience for the music DVD chart-toppers LICHTMOND.
\When the Minister of Economics presents the CyberOne high-tech awards, CEO Lothar Bopp will have the honor of delivering the key note at this event.
The TV station ARD broadcasts a comprehensive contribution about LOBO and the infinity beam® under the title "Expedition to the homeland"
.In Las Vegas, LOBO is honored as the industry leader in show design with its 150th ILDA award - a world record!
In Cairo, LOBO engineers hand over a new amusement park attraction to the operator for the Family Park: a permanent outdoor show with laser, video, moving lights and fire effects as well as a Spray Water Screen® and much more is used for the exciting entertainment of the visitors.
2015
A year full of exciting projects:
LOBO stages a monumental outdoor spectacle for the Wirtgen Group, integrating not only countless lasers and special effects, but also 20 artists and huge construction machines - thunderous applause from the approximately 2,500 guests!
At the same time, at the BOSCH booth at the IAA in Frankfurt, visitors experience lasers in a completely different way: not radiantly bright in dark surroundings, but subtly and elegantly reduced, LOBO's laser projectors breathe life into the large-format prints of the illuminated booth.
In Senise, southern Italy, LOBO creates a grandiose fusion of modern theater with actors and an interplay of lasers and video projections on Water Screens® in a huge open-air amphitheater - unique in the world!
In Las Vegas, Daimler CEO Zetsche presents the first show car produced exclusively for CES, F015 - an autonomously driving vehicle with an integrated laser display from LOBO.
2016
The two large planetariums in Stuttgart and Hamburg are expanding their laser systems with the sparks® PowerDeck.
In the mountains of Kyoto, Japan fascinating outdoor shows will be presented over 4 months with LOBO laser systems.
Campari has Ben Becker appear on Holo Flows as a hologram-like projection for the "Bitter Diaries" tour in several scene bars in Germany.
2017
Just in time for Easter, an indoor laser show installation featuring 5 sparks® and bliss® laser systems will be completed at the High-Impact Amusement Park in Lagos.
In the fall, LOBO is faced with a completely different challenge: at a dizzying height of 246 meters and at a distance of 1,300 meters, a laser performance was to be precisely aimed at three spectator areas. But with the help of a laser truck equipped with 5 ultra-bright sparks® as well as an additional infinity beam®, LOBO masters the opening of the Thyssen test tower with flying colors.
This year, LOBO also celebrates its 35th anniversary.
2018
After Spray Water Screens® were already used with great success in 2017 as part of the Neversea Festival on the Black Sea and at the Summer Well Festival in Romania, the organizer of these events has also decided in 2018 to enrich the Summer Well Festival in Buftea with projections on a gigantic Water Screen®.
With the LILAS® series, LOBO is launching extremely robust laser devices that are even suitable for underwater use - making completely new types of applications possible!
The year ends with an elaborate multimedia show for the company Telenot. LOBO is not only responsible for the laser and multimedia spectacle including Water Screen®, but also for the staging with video transmissions, lighting, stage technology and special effects.
2019
After extensive expansions, the new experimenta Science Center will be launched in March. Here, LOBO is not only responsible for the opening event again, but also for a groundbreaking permanent installation in the Science Dome - a worldwide unique combination of planetarium and science theater. 6 laser projectors, a sparks® PowerDeck as well as a Water Screen® are among others in permanent use here since then.
.Another megaproject causes a stir some time later: Neom is a completely new planned city and technology park in Saudi Arabia. Here, LOBO delivers eye-catching and versatile possibilities for spectacular projections with Water Screens®.
In Orlando, LOBO is once again honored with further ILDA Awards: thus LOBO can now adorn itself with a total of 171 of these awards - world class by a wide margin!