Swytch 전기 자전거 전환 키트 by Swytch Technology Ltd

Swytch 전기 자전거 전환 키트 by Swytch Technology Ltd is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award 철상 in 차량, 모빌리티 및 운송 디자인 Competition Category.

철차량· 2023

Swytch 전기 자전거 전환 키트

by Swytch Technology Ltd

Client: Swytch Technology Ltd

A' Design Award 철상 Winner in 차량 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #143116

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

Colors

The Design

About Swytch 전기 자전거 전환 키트

Swytch는 일반 자전거를 전기 자전거로 바꿔주는 전환 키트입니다. 이 키트는 전륜 모터 휠, 페달 센서, 핸들바 마운트, 그리고 대형 스마트폰과 비슷한 크기의 주머니에 들어가는 배터리인 파워 팩으로 구성됩니다. 시스템은 페달 어시스트 방식으로, 라이더가 페달을 밟는 동안 동력이 공급됩니다. 파워 팩은 주행 거리 15킬로미터와 30킬로미터 두 가지로 제공됩니다. 설치에는 기술적 경험이 필요하지 않습니다. 이 키트는 기존 자전거를 교체하지 않고 재사용할 수 있게 하여 폐기물을 줄여줍니다.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 철상

Swytch 전기 자전거 전환 키트, 이 작품은 A' Design Award 철상 수상작으로, 잘 디자인된 창작물에 기대되는 전문적·산업적 요건을 충족하는 좋은 디자인에 수여되는 권위 있는 인정입니다. 철상 수상작은 창작자의 뛰어난 기술, 높은 전문성, 전문가다운 이해, 창의적 역량을 보여 줍니다. Swytch 전기 자전거 전환 키트, 이 작품은 높이 평가받고 감탄과 사랑을 받는 창작물로서 실용적이고 혁신적일 것으로 기대됩니다. 이 철상 수상 디자인은 업계 모범 사례를 통합하며 노하우와 재능으로 연결된 유능한 기술적 특성을 갖추고 있습니다. Swytch 전기 자전거 전환 키트, 이 작품은 철저함으로 존중받으며 삶의 질을 개선하여 세상을 더 나은 곳으로 만들도록 디자인되었습니다.

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