Groove Patefonas by Daniel Henneh is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Sidabrinis apdovanojimas A' Design Award in Vartojamoji elektronika Competition Category.

SidabrinisVartojamoji elektronika· 2025

Groove Patefonas

by Daniel Henneh

Client: Groove

Sidabrinis apdovanojimas A' Design Award Winner in Vartojamoji elektronika Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Groove Patefonas

Groove – tai patefonas, sujungiantis vinilinių plokštelių atkūrimą su skaitmeninėmis technologijomis. Korpusas pagamintas iš vientiso anoduoto aliuminio bloko frezavimo būdu ir sukomplektuotas su poliruoto nerūdijančiojo plieno komponentais. Trumpo atstumo projektorius netoliese esančioje sienoje rodo meniu, dainų tekstus, albumo viršelį ir takelio informaciją. Padėjus plokštelę ant disko, ji aptinkama automatiškai, o tonarmas išskleidžiamas iš savo poilsio padėties. Muzikos atpažinimo funkcija identifikuoja dainą per pirmąsias atkūrimo sekundes. Įtraukiama rankenėlė pasislepia, kai grotuvas nenaudojamas, taip išlaikant minimalistinę formą.

The Recognition

About the Sidabrinis apdovanojimas A' Design Award

Groove Patefonas laimėjo Sidabrinį apdovanojimą A' Design Award, nepaprastai prestižinį pripažinimą, skiriamą aukščiausios klasės, puikiems ir įspūdingiems dizainams. Sidabro laureatai yra itin puikūs ir labai kūrybingi darbai, rodantys jų kūrėjų išskirtinę kompetenciją, talentą ir įžvalgumą. Tikimasi, kad Groove Patefonas bus nuostabus, pavyzdinis, labai profesionalus ir giliai novatoriškas kūrinys. Šis Sidabriniu apdovanojimu įvertintas dizainas yra žymus, žavimas išradimas, padedantis plėsti meno, mokslo, dizaino ir technologijų ribas. Groove Patefonas yra kūrinys, kuriam daugelis pavydi, žadinantis troškimus, teikiantis teigiamų jausmų ir sukeliantis nuostabą bei stebėjimąsi.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Experience timeless music and cutting-edge technology in one elegant package. Groove is made from a solid block of anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel components ensuring both durability and a modern aesthetic. It is equipped with advanced AI and a short range projector to automatically detect and display lyrics, album art, music meta data and all the relevant information that modern music players are capable of. This truly elevated Grove beyond the conventional record player.
Dimensions & Packaging: Physical dimensions: 500mm x 350mm x 80mm (WxBxH)
Audio: Built-in stereo amplifier, Bluetooth 5.1, 3.5mm Aux Out, Beam forming microphones.
Connectivity: Wifi, LAN
Display: Short range projector
Platter: Direct drive BLDC motor with precision speed control
Tags: Record player, Turntable, High End, Hifi, Audiophile, Music, Timeless, Premium
Production Technology: To be made from machined aluminum, and polished stainless steel components. Actuators will be used to implement mechanisms that automatically deploys the tonearm and retract and dial to maintain a minimalist look when Grove is not being used. It will also have advance electronics which comprices a projector module, wireless connectivity and a central onboard computer.
Design Challenge: The most challenge part of designing Groove was simplifying the conventional record player to only its essential components in order to achieve a clean minimal design. For instance spring preload mechanism was used in order to get rid of the counterweight which is used in the tonearm of conventional record players.
Research: Most of the research done for groove was to understand the current state of music recognition and explore feasibility of such a technology with minimal computing power. The ideal solution for Groove will be one that is accurately recognizes music in the shortest amount of time.

Additional research was done a retractable mechanism and actuators that could be application for implementation of the retractable dial and tonearm. I identified off-the-shelf stepper motors with reduction gears as well as short distance linear motion systems that could be used.
Inspiration: Inspired by my love for music, advance technology and high end products with durable materials. My goal for groove is to leverage recent advancements in technology to give the traditional record player a modern revival.
Project Duration: 2 months, in San Jose California.
Operation Flow: Once powered on, the multifunctional retractable dial is deployed to enable an interface to interact with the menu system that is displayed on the projected UI on the wall. When a record (vinyl) is placed on the platter, it is automatically detected and presents the music controls on the UI, once the play button in selected the tonearm is automatically deployed from the resting position to the platter to begin playing the music. The first few seconds of the music is automatically used for AI music recognition. Once the song is identified, the lyrics, album art and other useful details about the songs is displayed on the UI.
Team Members: Daniel Henneh