Amo Sandaran Langan Forklift by Zhenghai Shang and Jing Zhao

Amo Sandaran Langan Forklift by Zhenghai Shang and Jing Zhao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Perak in Aksesori Kendaraan Competition Category.

PerakAksesori Kendaraan· 2026

Amo Sandaran Langan Forklift

by Zhenghai Shang and Jing Zhao

Client: Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH

A' Design Award Perak Winner in Aksesori Kendaraan Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #179645

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Amo Sandaran Langan Forklift

Amo adolah sandaran langan multifungsi nan dirancang untuak kabin forklift. Sandaran langan ko mangumpuakan tombol-tombol kontrol dalam suatu zona nan kompak, sahinggo operator dapek malakukan tindakan nan acok dilakukan jo garakan jari jo pagalangan tangan nan ketek, indak paralu garakan langan nan gadang. Pamukoan nan malengkuang manyokong langan bawah jo mangikuti bantuak tangan. Modul kontrol muko nan dapek diganti bisa ditukar jo capek untuak manyasuaikan jo kabiasoan supir nan babeda-beda, nan mangurangi jumlah jinih sandaran langan nan diparalukan. Amo dibuek dari bagian-bagian cetakan injeksi modular jo antarmuko nan sudah distandarisasi.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Perak

Amo Sandaran Langan Forklift adolah pamenang A' Design Award Perak, sabuah pangakuan nan luar biaso bapresti nan dibarikan ka rancangan tingkaik tatinggi, elok jo mangesankan. Pamenang Perak adolah karya nan sangaik cemerlang jo sangaik kreatif nan mamparlihatkan kapakaran, bakaik jo katajaman pikiran parancangnyo. Amo Sandaran Langan Forklift dipaokan manjadi karya nan mangaguikan, contoh tauladan, sangaik profesional jo inovatif sacaro dalam. Rancangan nan manang Perak iko adolah panemuan nan nampak jo dikagumi nan mambari sumbangan untuak maluaskan batas seni, ilimu, rancangan jo teknologi. Amo Sandaran Langan Forklift adolah ciptaan nan dicamburui banyak urang, nan mambangkikkan karinduan, mambaok parasaan positif jo malahiakan karagumon jo kakaguman.

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