Crabee Kaiāwhina Ako Kauhoe by Chih-Yun Li

Crabee Kaiāwhina Ako Kauhoe by Chih-Yun Li is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Parahi in Hoahoa Taonga Tākaro, Kēmu me ngā Hua Runaruna Competition Category.

ParahiTaonga Tākaro· 2025

Crabee Kaiāwhina Ako Kauhoe

by Chih-Yun Li

Client: Li Chih-Yun

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Taonga Tākaro Category

42,108

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #163061

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Crabee Kaiāwhina Ako Kauhoe

Ko Crabee he taputapu manu ako mō ngā tamariki 3 tae atu ki te 9 tau te pakeke. Ko te whāinga o Crabee he whakaiti i te wehi ki te wai mā roto i te tākaro ngākaunui. He mea hanga te anga āhua ki te puoro (foam) āhei ki te wai, ā, kei roto ko ngā mowhiti e rima ōna nui rerekē, nā reira ka taea te whakarite i te tinana matua kia rite ki te nui o ia tamaiti. Ka taea e ngā tamariki te maka, te hopu, me te whakanoho i ngā mowhiti ki runga i te tinana. E rua ngā karu tirotiro (periscopes) hei tirohanga ki te ao o raro wai mai i te mata o te wai. He pōro māngū e taea ana te tāwerewere hei tāpiri i tētahi tākaro rapu taonga huna. Ka taea e ngā tamariki o ngā taumata kauhoe rerekē te tākaro tahi.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Crabee Kaiāwhina Ako Kauhoe te toa o te A' Design Award Parahi, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke e tohua ana mā te auaha, te mahi mōhio me te whakaaro hōhonu. Ko ngā toa Parahi he mahi pukenga e rite ana, he auaha mīharo, e whakatūturu ana i te wheako nui, te whakaaro me te mōhio-ā-ringa o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Crabee Kaiāwhina Ako Kauhoe he taonga whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he ngaio, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Parahi e whakauru ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa i te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau, ā, he tino mīharo ki ngā taipitopito. Ka whakatutuki a Crabee Kaiāwhina Ako Kauhoe i ngā hiahia, ka pā ki ngā hiahia, ka whakaoho i ngā kare-ā-roto, ā, ka kume i te pākiki.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Crabee is a learning flotation device designed for children aged 3 to 9, to reduce their fear of water through interactive play. Its modular shell design lets children switch between different play modes, enhancing their water adaptability while having fun.
Additionally, accessories such as periscopes and floating balls are included, allowing children of various swimming abilities to engage together. This helps prepare them for future swimming lessons and reduces the risk of drowning.
Dimensions & Packaging: 1. All five rings are assembled: the dimensions are 44 cm in height, 38 cm in length, and 36 cm in width. With three rings assembled, the height is 34 cm.
2. The diameters of the five rings: from largest to smallest, are 36 cm, 33 cm, 30 cm, 26 cm, and 21 cm.
3. The product uses eva foam, mirrors, and polycarbonate.
Tags: Flotation device, Children, Learning
Production Technology: 1. The main body and five rings are made from eva foam, offering water resistance, high chemical stability, and durability, produced using foam molding technology, followed by cooling and cutting processes.
2. Periscope housing constructed from pp plastic using injection molding technology, cooled, polished, and surface-treated.
3. Periscope lenses are made from pc plastic using injection molding technology. After cooling, the lenses are polished and coated to achieve optimal optical clarity and durability.
Design Challenge: This project initially used pvc and pp to manufacture the products to reduce storage space. However, these materials are prone to rupture, posing safety risks, and users are unwilling to inflate the products before each use. Additionally, discussions with manufacturers revealed that pvc and pp face challenges in buoyancy calculations and cannot produce intricate designs. After careful consideration, we decided to switch to eva materials to extend the product's lifespan and simplify production.
Research: We collect secondary data to analyze the shortcomings of swimming aids available in the market and employ qualitative research methods to interview parents. This helps us understand their educational approaches and the timing and circumstances under which children learn to become comfortable with water. Ultimately, we integrate child development benchmarks to provide tailored play recommendations for users of different ages, incorporating short stories to enhance children's learning motivation.
Inspiration: According to the world health organization , approximately 370,000 people die from drowning each year globally, with 60% of these deaths occurring in children under the age of 18. Drowning is also a leading cause of accidental death in children aged 1 to 4. We interviewed a primary school swimming instructor, who indicated that individuals who fear water are at a higher risk of drowning. Therefore, reducing children's fear of water through appropriate education is crucial for ensuring their safety in aquatic environments.
Project Duration: The project began in June 2023 and completed the samples in February 2024. Expert testing is scheduled for August with plans to launch in mid-2025.
Operation Flow: First the crabee’s body (a conical tube) can be adjusted according to the child's body size, allowing for the assembly of different sizes that can be held and floated on the water. Second, children can throw, catch, and place multiple rings onto the crabee, helping it find its shell. Third, children who are not yet able to hold their breath can use crabee's eyes (periscopes) to explore the underwater world while staying at the water's surface. Finally, children can use floating and sinking gems (floating balls) to play a treasure hunt game.
Team Members: Lead Designer: Li Chih-Yun
Assistant Designer: Lin Yu-He, Wu Yi-Chen, Chen Zih-Jin, Chuang Chu-An
Professor: Li Kai-Chu
Image Credits: Image #1: Creator Li Chih-Yun, 2024
Image #2: Creator Li Chih-Yun, 2024
Image #3: Creator Li Chih-Yun, 2024
Image #4: Creator Li Chih-Yun, 2024
Image #5: Creator Li Chih-Yun, 2024