Bronze Fashion and Travel Accessories Design · 2026
Cross Pod Self Standing Cane
by Koji Sato
- A' Design Award 2026 Bronze Winner in Fashion and Travel Accessories Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 11,834
- Verification code DC7876DFE8 · Verify this award
About Cross Pod Self Standing Cane
This product brings convenience to the 1 point cane. During walking, the leg section at the tip of the cane closes, enabling nimble handling comparable to a standard 1 point cane. When stationary, open the leg to instantly stand stable. The folding legs, designed to avoid obstructing walking, provide stable support only when needed. Convenience and sophisticated design bring the fun. This design feels like a product that goes being a mere walking aid to support the user's lifestyle.
Koji Sato's Cross Pod Self Standing Cane represents a significant contribution to contemporary assistive device design, situating itself within the broader evolution of mobility aids from purely utilitarian instruments toward objects that integrate functional innovation with aesthetic refinement and user dignity. The work emerges from a design tradition that recognizes assistive technology serves both practical and psychological needs, acknowledging that mobility aids become intimate companions and extensions of self for their users, and thus merit the same design consideration afforded to any object intended for daily human interaction. The compositional presentation in paired configuration proves instructionally effective, demonstrating both the compact vertical transport mode and the deployed tripod stance that constitutes the design's central innovation—this dual display invites viewers to understand the mechanical transformation and appreciate the engineering elegance that enables a slender walking cane to achieve autonomous stability through a triangulated base system. The chromatic strategy demonstrates notable sophistication in its restraint, employing a predominantly neutral palette of grays and metallic tones that convey professional credibility and material quality while avoiding the overtly medical aesthetics that can stigmatize assistive devices, the strategic deployment of vibrant yellow at the functional pivot point serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it creates visual interest and product distinction, it clearly identifies the mechanical feature that differentiates this design from conventional canes, and it suggests optimism and forward-thinking innovation rather than limitation or compromise. Technical execution evidences considerable attention to ergonomic principles and manufacturing refinement, from the carefully sculpted handle that promises comfortable grip and weight distribution, to the telescoping shaft segments that enable personalized height adjustment, to the protective ferrules that ensure stable ground contact and surface protection—each component appears thoughtfully resolved to balance functional necessity with visual coherence. The tripod base mechanism represents a genuinely valuable innovation addressing a persistent challenge faced by cane users: the inconvenience and indignity of dropped canes, the awkwardness of trying to lean devices against unreliable surfaces, and the constant spatial negotiation of where to place one's mobility aid when both hands are needed for other tasks. By transforming the cane into a self-supporting structure, Sato's design grants users a measure of independence and ease that extends beyond ambulation itself into the many moments of pause, rest, and engagement that punctuate daily life. The design invites consideration of how thoughtful innovation in assistive technology can enhance quality of life while respecting user agency and aesthetic sensibility, suggesting questions about the relationship between form and function, the role of beauty in practical objects, and the ways design can honor human dignity across all circumstances of embodiment and mobility.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- CrossPOD is a one point cane stably standable anywhere. Just open its four legs attached to the tip of the cane to allow it stand anywhere in situations you need to have your hands free.
When walking, you can close your legs to use it as a one point cane, allowing you to walk smoothly.
It was small and lightweight, and it was designed so that switching of the legs can be done with simple operation.
The pure one-point cane that can be stand is an unprecedent. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Wide: 130mm
Depth: 50mm
Height: min750mm max 970mm /10 level adjustment
Weight: 360g
Material: aluminum,Wood,Resin - Tags
- Cane, Health, Care, Wellness, Rehabilitation, Independence, Standing, Walking, #Senior, SDGs, CrossPOD, Onepoint
- Production Technology
- A one point cane is a portable item, it must be lightweight.
Therefore, complex mechanisms cannot be added.
It also requires simple and easy operation.
Considering this balance, we designed it using a spring and link mechanism.
The result is:
* Simple manual operation/ two actions: twist and slide
* An easy-to-grip handle
* A slim form that doesn't get in the way when closed like a bud before it blooms
* A wide leg span when opened
Furthermore, while maintaining a minimalist overall appearance, we incorporated vivid accent colors to create a fun and enjoyable product. - Design Challenge
- The following are important for this product to be enjoyable.
*Comfort
*Stability
*Ease of Use
*Lightweight
*Form
*Cost
However, there are conflicting aspects, so we focused on balancing them when designing. - Project Duration
- The project started in April 2018 in Oita Japan and was released for sale in Jan 2020.
Following several internal refinements, it evolved into the current model in October 2023. - Operation Flow
- Closing the legs allows you to walk smoothly, and opening them when standing.
Opening the legs is a two step operation.
Slightly twist the grip to unlock, and slide the cane towards the tip to open and stand up.
Closing is the reverse operation. - Research
- *Type of Research
Design Proposals for the Ageing Society Ahead.
*Research Objectives
Enriching the lives of those with walking difficulties.
*Methodology
Fun to use!
Make the 1 point cane easier to use.
*Data Collection
Interviews with practitioners, workshops, etc.
*Participants or Experiments
Conducted load testing and other safety verification experiments.
*Results
Perfectly fine.
*Insights and Impacts,
Positive feedback from purchasers.
Design awards and patent contest accolades.
Export track record to Canada, Germany, Thailand,etc.
It is also commonly used as a gift. - Inspiration
- A one point cane is the most common tool used to assist with walking.
However, when you want to let go of the cane, the tip is the point, so it is inconvenient because you cannot stand it up.
There are also canes with four rubber tips, but they make it difficult to walk smoothly, are unstable when standing up, and are a little heavy.
So we came up with the idea of solving this problem by adding opening and closing legs to the tip of the cane. - Image Credits
- N/A
- Patents
- Patented in Japan.
Patent No.6590177
Patent Holder. KOJI SATO
Year. 2019
Jurisdiction. Japan Patent Office
Colors of Cross Pod Self Standing Cane
Design Interview about Cross Pod Self Standing Cane
Fun to use!
Something that is enjoyable to use.
I also aim for designs that allow the user to express themselves through the object.
Something that is enjoyable to use.
I also aim for designs that allow the user to express themselves through the object.
It is about the balance of the product.
Something convenient, easy to use, and beautiful, all at just the right price.
We aimed to create a product that offers true value overall.
Something convenient, easy to use, and beautiful, all at just the right price.
We aimed to create a product that offers true value overall.
I currently export my products not only within Japan but also to six other countries: Germany, Canada, Thailand, South Korea, China, and Taiwan.
I hope that this award will enable me to reach even more countries.
I hope that this award will enable me to reach even more countries.
I created the basic design and mechanical layout for the prototype in about a week.
It took roughly a year to turn that into a finished product ready for mass production.
It then took another two years to refine and improve it further.
It took roughly a year to turn that into a finished product ready for mass production.
It then took another two years to refine and improve it further.
It all started when I participated in a workshop aimed at developing products to benefit an aging society.
During the workshop, I learned about the inconveniences associated with standard 1-point canes.
While 1-point canes are highly convenient for safe walking, their slender shape makes them difficult to set down securely.
Recognizing the need for a cane that offers both comfortable walking and stability when placed down, I decided to develop and commercialize such a product.
During the workshop, I learned about the inconveniences associated with standard 1-point canes.
While 1-point canes are highly convenient for safe walking, their slender shape makes them difficult to set down securely.
Recognizing the need for a cane that offers both comfortable walking and stability when placed down, I decided to develop and commercialize such a product.
I handle both the aesthetic and mechanical design.
Currently, I also manufacture and sell the finished products myself.
Currently, I also manufacture and sell the finished products myself.
Creating convenient products for an aging society is a meaningful endeavor.
I would be delighted if this product increased opportunities for people to go out and made their lives more enjoyable and enriched.
I would be delighted if this product increased opportunities for people to go out and made their lives more enjoyable and enriched.
There are many designs and designers that I admire.
My interests span various fields—not only products but also graphic design, architecture, and music.
I won't single out specific names, but I draw inspiration from the things around me.
My interests span various fields—not only products but also graphic design, architecture, and music.
I won't single out specific names, but I draw inspiration from the things around me.
CrossPOD is a product designed to support safe and comfortable walking.
It is intended for those who feel uneasy about walking.
Notably, it is frequently chosen as a gift for children, parents, grandparents, and acquaintances.
It is intended for those who feel uneasy about walking.
Notably, it is frequently chosen as a gift for children, parents, grandparents, and acquaintances.
Its design is unique, as it functions as a genuine 1-point cane that can stand its own.
While canes with four-pronged rubber tips represent a similar category of design, the CrossPOD excels in walking comfort, stability when standing, and lightweight construction. It also boasts a sophisticated, beautiful appearance.
While canes with four-pronged rubber tips represent a similar category of design, the CrossPOD excels in walking comfort, stability when standing, and lightweight construction. It also boasts a sophisticated, beautiful appearance.
The logo design was inspired by the cross-shaped form the product takes when its legs are extended.
We also incorporated this characteristic into the name.
A cross-shaped stand—in other words, "Cross Pod."
We also incorporated this characteristic into the name.
A cross-shaped stand—in other words, "Cross Pod."
I used 3D CAD and 3D CG software for design and visual evaluation.
The primary tools used included AutoCAD, 3ds Max, Inventor, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
The primary tools used included AutoCAD, 3ds Max, Inventor, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
Its most distinctive feature is that a single person handles both the exterior and mechanical designs.
I engage in a dialogue between these two roles within myself to refine and improve the design.
I engage in a dialogue between these two roles within myself to refine and improve the design.
No, I created everything myself.
I can acquire any skills I lack, and I believe I can produce something good within the scope of my current abilities.
I can acquire any skills I lack, and I believe I can produce something good within the scope of my current abilities.
Technology is essential for creating products that are compact, lightweight, and easy to use.
It also plays a role in striking the right balance to bring everything together into a high-quality product.
It also plays a role in striking the right balance to bring everything together into a high-quality product.
I examined situations where one might need to let go of a 1-point cane.
I visited various locations to observe the actual inconveniences involved—such as restrooms, checkout counters, cafes, dining halls, and ATMs.
I also conducted interviews.
Actual users told me that if the cane falls over after being propped up, it is difficult to pick it up.
I also learned that there are cases where the cane cannot be kept by the bedside, even indoors.
I visited various locations to observe the actual inconveniences involved—such as restrooms, checkout counters, cafes, dining halls, and ATMs.
I also conducted interviews.
Actual users told me that if the cane falls over after being propped up, it is difficult to pick it up.
I also learned that there are cases where the cane cannot be kept by the bedside, even indoors.
The ultimate goal of product design is to create a tangible, real-world product.
It must also reach the hands of many people.
The major challenge lay in creating a product with high market appeal through a design that made this possible.
It must also reach the hands of many people.
The major challenge lay in creating a product with high market appeal through a design that made this possible.
International design awards pave new paths for products.
We have already exported to six countries in addition to our domestic market, but we submitted our entry with the hope of reaching even more countries and people.
We have already exported to six countries in addition to our domestic market, but we submitted our entry with the hope of reaching even more countries and people.
For this project, I expanded my scope beyond design to include manufacturing and sales.
The experience gained in manufacturing techniques and sales channels provided me with a wealth of new knowledge.
This process also highlighted the need to feed insights back into the design, leading to further improvements.
The experience gained in manufacturing techniques and sales channels provided me with a wealth of new knowledge.
This process also highlighted the need to feed insights back into the design, leading to further improvements.
A product is an expression of the person who makes it and the person who uses it.
I believe that products create connections.
I believe that products create connections.
Grand Interview about Cross Pod Self Standing Cane
In the fields of welfare and elderly care products, functionality is still the top priority, isn't it?In this context, I hope that the products I create will not only provide convenience but also bring joy to everyday life.Simply improving inconveniences with convenient functions only brings the negative aspects closer to zero.I hope that using CrossPod will add enjoyment, turning zero into a positive.
CrossPod aims to improve not only physical but also mental well-being by pursuing the joy of use.Its lightweight design, crisp operation, and refined form uplift the spirits of those who carry it, encouraging more walking.Furthermore, enjoyable walking contributes to a longer healthy lifespan and promotes greater independence, doesn't it?
Mechanisms are a means of human-centered design.Technically, I think and experiment until I am satisfied.I repeatedly modify the mechanism to suit reality and refine it to be beneficial for people.I believe that if we think through it carefully while being mindful of balance, we will find the answer.
I believe that creating something from nothing is incredibly difficult and may require immense effort.In contrast, if there is a negative state, it can simply be transformed into positive energy.Perhaps the power of design can make this possible.
My initial motivation was to deliver my creations to as many people as possible.To achieve this, the product needed to solve inconveniences, be easy to use, have a beautiful design, and be affordable for everyone.I believe that the desire to share my creations with people is the driving force behind my efforts to overcome these challenges.Of course, I don't think it's perfect, but the CrossPOD is the result of balancing these elements to the best of my ability.
As you said, I may have been imagining the action of a bud opening.And I added the joy of choosing an accent color within a sense of cleanliness.Some people will like the design of CrossPOD.However, it's not wrong for some people not to like it.It's important to cherish the values and aesthetic sense that each person has cultivated throughout their life.Therefore, I hope that people will choose a product when they can share the same values as the creator, and that by owning and carrying it around, they will express their own values.
Fun to use!Today's young people will grow old someday, and the image of the elderly will change over time.And I believe that pursuing the joy of living is one of the essential things in the fields of health, welfare, and products for the elderly.I want to create products that embody this.
I hope this can help people, both elderly and young, who have difficulty walking, to live fulfilling lives.Being able to continue walking independently is a blessing.
Even if these are assistive devices for the elderly or others, I hope people will use them with more confidence, rather than with hesitation. To achieve this, I believe a certain affection for the product is necessary. Whether it's a vibrant color or a more subdued one, I hope people will use it with a sense of attachment to the color they've chosen.
We made the operation as simple as possible. You can operate it simply with minimal force while holding the comfortably sized grip.Ideally, the operation would involve placing a button on the handle and automatically opening and closing it with a press.However, achieving this would require a more complex mechanism.This would increase costs and sacrifice lightness due to the increased number of parts.Considering all these factors, we settled on the current mechanism.