Amo フォークリフト用アームレスト by Zhenghai Shang and Jing Zhao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 銀賞 in 車両部品・自動車アクセサリー・ケア製品デザイン Competition Category.
銀車両アクセサリー· 2026
Amo フォークリフト用アームレスト
by Zhenghai Shang and Jing Zhao
Client: Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH
A' Design Award 銀賞 Winner in 車両アクセサリー Category
- 16,696
- Verified Award Winner
- Verify Award Status for #179645
The Design
About Amo フォークリフト用アームレスト
Amoは、フォークリフトのキャブ用に設計された多機能アームレストです。操作ボタンをコンパクトな範囲に集約することで、オペレーターは腕を大きく動かすことなく、指と手首のわずかな動きで頻繁な操作を行えます。曲面形状が前腕を支え、手の形状に沿うデザインとなっています。前部の交換可能なコントロールモジュールは、ドライバーごとの操作習慣に合わせて素早く付け替えることができ、必要となるアームレストの種類を削減します。Amoは、標準化されたインターフェースを備えたモジュール式の射出成形部品で構成されています。
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award 銀賞
Amo フォークリフト用アームレストは、見事で印象的なハイエンドのデザインに授与される、非常に権威ある評価である A' Design Award 銀賞の受賞作品です。銀賞の受賞作品は、きわめて輝かしく創造性に富んだ作品であり、デザイナーの傑出した専門知識、才能、洞察力を示しています。Amo フォークリフト用アームレストは、素晴らしい代表作であり、驚くほどプロフェッショナルで、深く革新的であることが期待されます。この A' Design Award 銀賞を受賞したデザインは、非常に注目すべき称賛される発明であり、芸術・科学・デザイン・技術の境界に寄与し、それを前進させます。Amo フォークリフト用アームレストは、多くの人に羨まれる創造物であり、欲求を呼び覚まし、前向きな感情をもたらし、驚きと感嘆を灯します。
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- Heli Forklift cab intelligent control system redefines forklift operation by enhancing comfort and efficiency. Its replaceable front control module adapts easily to regional forklift driver’s habits, reducing development costs. The ergonomic curved form fits the hand naturally, improving long-term comfort. Integrated control buttons allow operators to perform multiple actions with minimal movement, boosting efficiency and safety through human-centered, modular design.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Fingertip model: 545mmx178mmx175mm
- Tags
- folklift operation; armrest; modular; ergonomics
- Production Technology
- The armrest is produced using modular injection-molded components, achieving precise ergonomic contours and integrated button layouts. The replaceable front module uses durable, lightweight materials to adapt to different driver habits. Advanced assembly processes and standardized interfaces enable efficient mass production, reduce material waste, and ensure a high-quality, sustainable industrial design solution.
- Design Challenge
- The main challenge was balancing standardization with individual adaptability. Forklift operators have significantly different control habits, yet the design needed to reduce product variation and manufacturing complexity. Integrating diverse interaction preferences into a single ergonomic interface, while maintaining intuitive use, precision, and durability, required extensive iteration. Developing a modular system that allows flexible control configurations without compromising structural integrity or usability was the most critical and complex aspect of the project.
- Research
- This project is based on ergonomic studies, field observations, and user interviews with forklift operators. Motion analysis revealed excessive arm travel and repetitive strain in traditional lever systems, while user research highlighted diverse control preferences. Findings informed an integrated control layout and modular front-end system, reducing movement, improving comfort, and enabling adaptable interaction within a single platform.
- Inspiration
- Amo was inspired by fatigue caused by traditional forklift armrests in long working hours. Valve-lever controls require large repetitive arm movements, leading to physical strain. Meanwhile, diverse driver habits force manufacturers to produce multiple armrest types, wasting resources. Through an ergonomic form with integrated controls and a replaceable front module, AMO adapts to different users while improving comfort, efficiency, and sustainability.
- Project Duration
- The project started in April 2025 in Germany and will achieve mass production in May 2026 in China.
- Operation Flow
- The armrest enables an intuitive rest-to-control workflow. The driver places the forearm on the ergonomic surface, with all key functions accessible within a compact control zone. High-frequency operations are executed through minimal finger and wrist movements, reducing arm fatigue. Controls are logically arranged and tactically differentiated for fast, distraction-free use. A replaceable front module allows quick switching between control types to match user preferences. This unified platform improves comfort, efficiency, and adaptability while minimizing resource redundancy.
- Patents
- Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH
- Team Members
- Zhenghai Shang, Jing Zhao, Ping Wang, Yingchun Bai, Wei Li, Jie Wang, Yang Meng, Chao Hu, Jianxiong Jia, jiong Ye, Xuemin Zhang
- Image Credits
- Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH
Sponsored
Explore Beyond Designers.org
Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.
More to Explore
Related Designs
Explore more award-winning designs from the same category, selected by merit.
