Swytch Bizikleta Elektrikorako Bihurketa Kita by Swytch Technology Ltd

Swytch Bizikleta Elektrikorako Bihurketa Kita by Swytch Technology Ltd is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award in Ibilgailu, Mugikortasun eta Garraio Diseinua Competition Category.

BurdinaIbilgailua· 2023

Swytch Bizikleta Elektrikorako Bihurketa Kita

by Swytch Technology Ltd

Client: Swytch Technology Ltd

Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Ibilgailua Category

30,154

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #143116

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Swytch Bizikleta Elektrikorako Bihurketa Kita

Swytch bizikleta arrunt bat bizikleta elektriko bihurtzen duen bihurketa-kit bat da. Kitak aurreko motor-gurpil bat, pedal-sentsore bat, manuberako euskarri bat eta Power Pack izeneko sakelako bateria bat dakartza, smartphone handi baten tamainakoa. Sistema pedalatze-laguntzakoa da, hau da, gidariak pedalatzen duen bitartean ematen da energia. Bi Power Pack eskaintzen dira, 15 kilometroko edo 30 kilometroko autonomiarekin. Instalazioak ez du esperientzia teknikorik behar. Kitak jada dagoen bizikleta berrerabiltzeko aukera ematen du, ordezkatu beharrean, eta horrek hondakinak murrizten ditu.

The Recognition

About the Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award

Swytch Bizikleta Elektrikorako Bihurketa Kita Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, ondo diseinatutako sorkuntzetatik espero diren eskakizun profesional eta industrialak betetzen dituzten diseinu onei ematen zaien aitorpen prestijiotsua. Burdin-mailako irabazleek beren sortzaileen trebetasun handia, espezializazio handia, adituen ulermena eta sormen-gaitasuna erakusten dituzte. Swytch Bizikleta Elektrikorako Bihurketa Kita oso estimatua, miretsia eta maitea den sorkuntza izatea espero da, praktikoa eta berritzailea dena. Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu honek sektoreko praktika onenak integratzen ditu eta know-how-ari eta talentuari lotutako ezaugarri tekniko gaituak ditu. Swytch Bizikleta Elektrikorako Bihurketa Kita zehaztasunagatik errespetatua den lana da, eta mundua leku hobea egiten laguntzen duten bizi-kalitatearen hobekuntzak eskaintzeko diseinatua dagoena.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The Swytch eBike conversion kit features a pocket-sized battery (the Power Pack) which is similar in size to a large smartphone. The Swytch Kit enables customers to upcycle their existing bike, making it electric and reducing waste. Electric assist unlocks extra range and provides convenience to traveling which allows people to use their bicycle as a primary mode of transport. Anyone can turn any bike electric with the Swytch Kit, no matter their technical experience.
Dimensions & Packaging: The powerful hub motor provides 250W of power. There are two Power Packs available with a range of 15km (Air) or 30km (Max). The Air Power Pack weighs as little as 700g while the Max Power Pack is only 1100g. The Air can be recharged in around 1 hour, the Max takes around 2.5 hours. The Air Power Pack's dimensions are 212mm X 100mm X 25mm. The Max Power Pack's dimensions are 228mm X 100mm X 35.5mm. Both Power Packs are available in multiple different colourways.
Tags: ebike, bike, bicycle, electric bike, electric bicycle, light electric vehicle, electric vehicle
Production Technology: A regular bicycle produces emissions of over 200kg of co2 during the manufacturing process, and larger, heavier electric bicycles are almost twice as pollutive. A Swytch Kit takes just 50kg of co2 to manufacture, meaning that the environmental impact is eight times lower compared to most complete electric bicycles.
Design Challenge: There are two Power Packs available with either 15km (Air) or 30km (Max) range. The width and length of the two Power Packs are different, however their heights are identical to ensure that the handlebar battery mount fits both and they are interchangeable. The packs contain different cell types with different outer dimensions. The challenge was to find a design language which can be scaled in any dimension to account for the differences in the cell sizes, without disrupting the overall aesthetics. Applying a subtle pattern on the sides of the Power Packs created a uniform design language which tied together the product series, despite the slight difference in shape and size.
Research: During the development of the Swytch Kit, the design team conducted extensive user research to explore how the users would assemble the Kit onto a bike, and how they would interact with the product. As the Swytch Kit is installed onto their existing bike by the customers, the design team conducted three different types of user testing. The first test was without any guidelines, to see how the users fit the fully disassembled kit onto the bike, without any instructions. The second test included a partially fitted kit. During the third round of tests, the users received a one-page instruction manual. All tests were recorded and summarized. The design team made changes to the design based on these results, including making the handlebar battery mount more user-friendly through interaction and mechanism improvements. Once these changes had been made, the user testing was continued to ensure that the design team was able to receive immediate feedback.
Inspiration: At Swytch, we are changing the way people move. We fundamentally believe that sustainable transport should not cost the Earth, so we have made it our mission to make electric transport accessible to everybody.
Swytch believes that eBikes should be lightweight, affordable and work like a regular bike, whilst having electric functionality. Studies show (and our customers tell us) that people with eBikes cycle considerably more than the average regular bicycle owner, increasing exercise rates and improving health. The Swytch Kit allows anyone to upcycle any bike, turning it into a powerful electric bike for use on all terrains and in any weather.
Project Duration: The project started in 2020 and ended in 2022. The design team was based in Swytch's London headquarters during the development.
Operation Flow: The Swytch Kit is pedal-assist, meaning that it provides power as you pedal. The pedal sensor (placed next to the bike’s cranks) detects when you are pedalling, and the motor controller (contained inside the handlebar battery mount) draws power from the pocket-sized Power Pack and powers the 250W front motor wheel. So, how do you Swytch your bike?
First, simply swap in the front motor wheel (built to fit your bike, and included in the Swytch Kit). Next, attach the pedal sensor and the handlebar battery mount, and finally clip on your Power Pack. That is it - your bike has been Swytched electric and will now give you 250W power for up to 30km. Once fitted, to get started simply clip in the Power Pack and start pedalling - the system detects your cadence and sends power to the front wheel, boosting your ride.
Team Members: Murray Allen
Lee Beale
James Cromarty
Louis de la Croix
Andy Durnan
Rebecca Fairchild
Helen Inman
Max Keizer
Dmitro Khroma
Oliver Montague
Delia Parrinello
Iola Ryland
Alex Salmon
Sohail Shahzad
Joshua Stone
Grace Tribe
Tamas Turi
Image Credits: Ardeshir Abdolrahimi