Press Release
Evo G Forklift Modular Cab by Zhenghai Shang and Yingchun Bai Is Granted the Bronze A' Design Award in Heavy Machinery Design
Zhenghai Shang and Yingchun Bai honored for heavy machinery design by the international grand jury of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 28, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ Evo G Forklift Modular Cab by Zhenghai Shang and Yingchun Bai, designed for Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH, has been granted the Bronze A' Design Award in the Heavy Machinery Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The result belongs to the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition and was determined through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who evaluated anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
About the Bronze A' Design Award
The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
About Evo G Forklift Modular Cab
Evo G is a modular cab designed for forklift trucks. The structure is made of polyurethane composite formed by reaction injection molding, a process that allows curved surfaces and a weight reduction of 15 to 20 percent compared with conventional steel cabins. The cab measures 1300 by 1060 by 1810 millimetres. Seat, control and safety modules are interchangeable through standardized mechanical interfaces, so the cab can be adapted, maintained and upgraded quickly. An inclined control console, an adjustable seat and reduced noise and vibration limit operator fatigue.
Award Record
This recognition makes Zhenghai Shang and Yingchun Bai a winner of 3 A' Design Awards. All of the awards belong to the 2025 - 2026 edition of the A' Design Award & Competition.
About the A' Heavy Machinery Design Award
The A' Heavy Machinery Design Award is an international competition recognizing good machinery designs by best machinery designers and brands worldwide. The competition is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to heavy machinery designers, industrial designers, heavy machinery brands and heavy machinery manufacturers from all countries. Entries typically include construction, agricultural, mining, earthmoving, production equipment and machinery and excavators. Awarded heavy machinery designs are published at https://designers.org/design-category/heavy-machinery
About A' Design Award & Competition
A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade organized annually since 2008. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The A' Design Award has a philanthropic mission to advance society through good design by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Entries are peer reviewed and anonymously evaluated by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. The A' Design Prize granted to eligible laureates includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, the upload of a work and the preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. Further information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://designers.org/181057
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/181057
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!181057
- Laureate Profile: https://designers.org/d/371539
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Evo G Forklift Modular Cab
- Function
- Forklift Modular Cab
- Category
- Heavy Machinery Design
- Discipline
- Industrial Design
- Industry
- Manufacturing
- Colors
- Indian Red, Dim Gray, Dark Slate Gray, Black and Gainsboro
- Images
- 5
- Client
- Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Zhenghai Shang and Yingchun Bai
- Country
- Germany
- Recognition
- Bronze A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2025 - 2026
- Design ID
- #181057
Credits
- Team
- Zhenghai Shang, Yingchun Bai, Jing Zhao, Yang Chen, Guofeng Cai, Hongtao Zhang, Hongsheng Zhao, Zixian Li, Chao Hu, Yang Meng, Fei Ye, Wei Li, Jie Wang, Lin Zhang, Xueyin Shi, Xuemin Zhang
- Image Credits
- Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- The modular forklift cabin integrates automotive technology and aesthetics, utilizing RIM (Reaction Injection Molding) to create a lightweight, high-strength structure with superior ergonomic comfort. Modular operational components adapt to diverse working conditions, enhancing efficiency and safety. Human-centered in concept, it redefines industrial vehicle operation through modularity and car-like innovation.
- Inspiration
- The design originates from real operator needs. Traditional forklift cabins often cause fatigue due to confined space and complex controls; research revealed a demand for both efficiency and comfort. This led to the fusion of automotive-inspired aesthetics with modular functionality. RIM technology enabled fluid surfaces and lightweight structures, supporting removable modules. In a homogenized market, aesthetic innovation creates clear differentiation and elevates perceived quality.
- Research
- Research Background Traditional forklift cabins often prioritize mechanical performance over operator experience, resulting in fatigue, limited comfort, and inefficient workflows. Increasing demand for human-centered and sustainable industrial solutions necessitated a new design paradigm. Methods Qualitative user interviews, on-site observation, ergonomic analysis, and competitive benchmarking were conducted to identify key pain points and innovation opportunities. Tools Anthropometric data modeling, ergonomic simulation software, CAD/CAE engineering platforms, and RIM material feasibility testing supported design validation.
- Challenge
- The greatest challenge was reconciling industrial durability with automotive-level comfort and aesthetics. Forklift cabins must withstand heavy-duty environments, strict safety regulations, and structural load requirements, leaving limited flexibility for expressive form. Integrating lightweight RIM structures with modular architecture while maintaining strength, stability, and cost efficiency required extensive engineering validation. Another key challenge was balancing innovation with operator familiarity, introducing a car-like, human-centered cockpit without disrupting established workflows.
- Realization and Technology
- Reaction injection molding structure, polyurethane-based composite materials formed through low temperature RIM processing enable complex aerodynamic surfaces with integrated lightweight, high-strength construction, reducing material consumption and enhancing corrosion resistance. Lightweight Engineering, 15–20% weight reduction compared to conventional steel cabins improves vehicle energy efficiency and operational stability. Modular architecture cabin decomposed into interchangeable functional units (seat, control, safety modules) using standardized mechanical interfaces for rapid assembly, maintenance, upgrade, and customization.
- Operation and Interaction
- Human-Centered operational logic, ergonomically optimized layout based on anthropometric data ensures intuitive reach zones, minimized motion range, and reduced operator fatigue during long-hour shifts. Immersive cockpit interaction, inclined control console, adaptive seat adjustment, and optimized sightlines create a focused, car-like driving experience that enhances situational awareness. Modular task adaptability, interchangeable control and function modules allow rapid configuration changes to match diverse operational workflows and application scenarios.
- Project Duration and Location
- The project started in May 2025 in Germany and will finish in May 2026.
- Specifications
- Cab size: 1300mm x 1060mm x 1810mm
- Keywords
- Modular Forklift, RIM Manufacturing Technology, Smart Logistics,Ergonomic Optimization,Human-Centered Design
