Engineering Sci-Fi: How DEFARA Built the 360° Rotating Battleships for The Three-Body Problem Roadshow

Project Category: IP Art Installation / Mechanical & Kinetic Sculpture
Client: The Three-Body Universe
Installation Size & Weight:

• 1m Battleship — 0.6 tons

• 4m Battleship — 1.2 tons

• 6m Battleship — 2.3 tons

• 13m Battleship — 6.7 tons

Services Provided: Mechanical Engineering, Kinetic Sculpture Fabrication, Sound-Light-Electricity Integration, Touring Roadshow Installation

Introduction

For the promotional campaign of The Three-Body Problem, DEFARA created a series of high-tech, rotating battleship installations that toured key commercial locations across China. The effect was immediate: malls, plazas, and event venues saw surges in visitor traffic and viral social media engagement.

These battleships didn’t just sit still—they moved, lit up, produced sound, and captivated crowds with a futuristic energy that matched the spirit of Liu Cixin’s world.

Bringing Science Fiction to Life Through Engineering

The roadshow required DEFARA to produce four battleship models ranging from 1 meter to 13 meters long. Each unit was engineered with:

• 360-degree rotation systems

• Automatic hatch opening & closing

• Integrated sound and lighting effects

• Programmable motion cycles

• Durable structures for touring and transport

• High-fidelity sci-fi surface detailing

Their glowing, shifting lights created an immersive environment that instantly pulled in crowds.

Fabrication & Engineering Highlights

Mechanical Precision

We developed stable rotation mechanisms capable of safe, continuous operation in public spaces.

Advanced Lighting Systems

Colorful programmed lighting created a futuristic, immersive aura—a perfect match for the Three-Body IP.

Touring-Ready Structural Engineering

Each battleship was reinforced and modularized for efficient transport and repeated assembly across multiple cities.

Audience-Captivating Visual Design

The detailed textures, sci-fi surfaces, and kinetic elements created the iconic “wow factor” that made audiences stop, gather, photograph, and share.

Commercial Impact

Every stop of the roadshow resulted in:

• Large fan gatherings

• Significant increases in mall foot traffic

• Viral video content across platforms

• Strong engagement from sci-fi communities

• Higher dwell time and event participation

The battleships acted as powerful commercial magnets, turning promotional content into immersive physical storytelling.

The Value of IP Installations for Commercial Venues

IP-driven installations like these generate:

• Strong emotional pull

• Instant visual attraction

• Free user-generated marketing

• High cross-category retail sales

• Cultural conversation and buzz

The Three-Body battleships proved that commercial art installations with dynamic engineering can outperform traditional advertising.

Find out more about what we do and our projects