Ieo Carretilla Elevadora Eléctrica de Alta Capacidad by Jing Zhao and Zhenghai Shang

Ieo Carretilla Elevadora Eléctrica de Alta Capacidad by Jing Zhao and Zhenghai Shang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Platino in Diseño de Maquinaria Pesada Competition Category.

PlatinoMaquinaria Pesada· 2026

Ieo Carretilla Elevadora Eléctrica de Alta Capacidad

by Jing Zhao and Zhenghai Shang

Client: Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH

A' Design Award de Platino Winner in Maquinaria Pesada Category

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The Design

About Ieo Carretilla Elevadora Eléctrica de Alta Capacidad

Ieo es una carretilla elevadora eléctrica de alta capacidad diseñada para puertos y operaciones logísticas pesadas. Su batería de carga rápida ofrece hasta 10 horas de funcionamiento tras una hora de carga, con una eficiencia energética un 40 por ciento superior a la de sistemas diésel comparables. Un asiento giratorio de 180 grados, la visión de 360 grados asistida por realidad aumentada y el control por voz favorecen un manejo intuitivo. Los contrapesos adaptativos y las horquillas modulares mejoran la seguridad, la estabilidad y la versatilidad. Los materiales reciclables y un diseño modular orientado al ciclo de vida prolongan la vida útil y reducen las emisiones en la manipulación de cargas pesadas.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Platino

Ieo Carretilla Elevadora Eléctrica de Alta Capacidad ha ganado el A' Design Award de Platino, un reconocimiento sumamente prestigioso concedido a diseños verdaderamente excepcionales, elegantes y magníficos. Los ganadores de Platino son maravillas de la creación, testimonios de los límites de la creatividad intelectual, y demuestran el profesionalismo y el genio inigualables de sus diseñadores. Se espera que estos diseños sean las obras más renombradas, que definen la estética de una época, contribuyen al bienestar de la sociedad y amplían las fronteras del arte, la ciencia, el diseño y la tecnología. Ieo Carretilla Elevadora Eléctrica de Alta Capacidad exhibe un nivel trascendente de excelencia y, sin lugar a dudas, hace del mundo un lugar mejor con sus características ventajosas y valiosas. Ieo Carretilla Elevadora Eléctrica de Alta Capacidad es una obra ganadora del A' Design Award de Platino que despierta deseos, inspira, entusiasma, deleita y provoca una gran alegría.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: IEO redefines heavy logistics with zero-emission power and human-centered intelligence. Its fast-charging battery provides 10 hours of operation after one hour of charging-40% more efficient than diesel. A 180° rotating seat, AR-assisted 360° vision, and voice control enable intuitive operation. Adaptive counterweights and modular forks improve safety and versatility. Built with recyclable materials and a modular lifespan design, IEO evolves from machine to smart partner for a greener future.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 12450mm x Depth 4180mm x Height 4720mm
Tags: Heavy-duty forklift, electric forklift, AI-Assisted Vision, 180 rotatable seat, Truck, Sustainable Industrial Design, Ergonomic Design
Production Technology: High-capacity zero-emission electric drivetrain engineered for ultra-heavy load applications.
Fast-charging lithium-ion battery system: 1-hour rapid charge enabling up to 10 hours of continuous operation, delivering 40% higher energy efficiency than conventional diesel systems.
180° rotating ergonomic seat integrated with AR-assisted 360° surround vision and AI-driven predictive safety monitoring.
Voice-activated digital cockpit featuring HUD interface and intelligent navigation architecture.
Modular fork configuration with adaptive counterweight system for optimized load stability and operational flexibility.
Advanced ergonomic engineering to minimize operator fatigue and enhance handling precision.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge was resolving the endurance–load paradox: delivering zero-emission electric power at a 55-ton capacity while maintaining structural integrity, stability, safety compliance, and operational efficiency in extreme port environments.

A second challenge was balancing industrial robustness with automotive-level comfort and intelligent interaction. Introducing AI vision, AR navigation, and a car-like cockpit had to enhance usability without increasing system complexity or disrupting operator familiarity.

Integrating heavy-duty engineering, modular architecture, and digital intelligence into a scalable, production-ready platform required extensive cross-disciplinary validation, cost control, and lifecycle optimization.
Research: Research Background:
Heavy-duty forklifts face three critical challenges: high emissions, operator fatigue, and limited safety systems. As global ports move toward carbon neutrality, there is increasing demand for electrified, intelligent equipment that balances ultra-heavy load capacity with endurance, comfort, and sustainability.

Methods:
Field observations in port operations, in-depth operator interviews, ergonomic studies, and competitive benchmarking were conducted. Engineering feasibility studies and sustainability lifecycle assessments guided concept validation.

Tools:
Anthropometric data analysis, digital cockpit simulation, AR vision testing, CAD/CAE structural modeling, battery performance modeling, and lifecycle carbon assessment tools supported development.

Participants:
Forklift operators, logistics managers, safety engineers, R&D engineers, and industrial designers across European and Asian markets.

Results and Insights:
Research revealed that comfort, intuitive interaction, and zero-emission performance are as critical as load capacity. Integrating lithium electrification, AI-assisted vision, modular systems, and automotive-level ergonomics significantly improves safety (+60%), reduces learning time (–50%), enhances efficiency, and establishes a new paradigm: from heavy machine to intelligent industrial partner.
Inspiration: I work in the cab 8 hours a day, I need comfort, efficiency, and safety, said a swedish forklift driver. High emissions, limited comfort, and inadequate safety systems are the top three pain points. IEO550-700 responds with zero-emission power and human-centered intelligence. Guided by gravity intelligence, it merges mechanical strength with technological lightness, elevating the operator from driver to system conductor through an immersive digital cockpit and adaptive control.
Project Duration: The project started in May 2025 in Germany and will finish in May 2027.
Operation Flow: Smart evolution transforms operation into intelligent orchestration. AI-powered vision and AR navigation optimize workflow awareness, reduce blind spots, and increase operational safety by 60%. Real-time data visualization streamlines decision-making and minimizes process latency.

Human–Machine synergy redefines interaction. A car-like cockpit layout, intuitive controls, and adaptive feedback systems reduce learning time by 50%, enabling seamless control logic, faster task execution, and a smoother transition from traditional operation to intelligent collaboration.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH
Team Members: Jing Zhao, Zhenghai Shang, Yingchun Bai, Jie Wang, Lin Zhang, Yang Meng, Hongkai Zhang, Chao Hu, Fei Ye，Yue Yang
Image Credits: Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH