Amo Imamatlapechyo Forklift Tepozhuilanqui by Zhenghai Shang and Jing Zhao

Amo Imamatlapechyo Forklift Tepozhuilanqui by Zhenghai Shang and Jing Zhao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl in Tepoztemalacatl Tlatquitl, Tepoztemalacatl Tlanehuililli ihuan Tlapializtlachihualli Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

IztacteocuitlatlTepoztemalacatl Tlanehuililli· 2026

Amo Imamatlapechyo Forklift Tepozhuilanqui

by Zhenghai Shang and Jing Zhao

Client: Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl Winner in Tepoztemalacatl Tlanehuililli Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Amo Imamatlapechyo Forklift Tepozhuilanqui

Amo ce imamatlapechyo miec itequiyo tlen omochihchiuh ipampa in icalihtic in forklift tepozhuilanqui. Inin mamatlapechtli quicentlalia in tepoztlatzacuiloni ipan ce tepiton tlalli, ic in tequitqui huel quichihua in tlen mochipa monequi ica tepiton imahpil ihuan imaquechtlan olinilistli, amo ica huey ima olinilistli. In coltic ixco quitlapaloa in matzotzopaztli ihuan quitoquilia in iyeliz in maitl. Ce tlaixpan tlatzacuiloni tlamantli tlen huel mopatla iciuhca huel momalacachoa ipampa occequi teyacanqui intlanemiliz, inin quitepitonoa in quezqui mamatlapechtli tlamantli monequi. Amo omochihchiuh ica tlaquetzalli tepoztlamantli tlen omopitzque ihuan quipia tlanepanolli tlen ce zan iyeliz.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl

Amo Imamatlapechyo Forklift Tepozhuilanqui ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl, hueyi tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in huel yectli, tlanextic ihuan mahuiztic tlachihualli. In quicuicah Iztacteocuitlatl ca cenca cualli ihuan cenca yancuic tlachihualli in quinextia in tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ixtlamatiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Amo Imamatlapechyo Forklift Tepozhuilanqui ca cenca cualli, cenca motequiuhtia ihuan yancuic. Ni dizayno in quicuic Iztacteocuitlatl quihuelitia in toltecayotl, tlamatiliztli, dizayno ihuan teknolohia. Amo Imamatlapechyo Forklift Tepozhuilanqui quiyolchicahua in tlacah, quipaquiltia ihuan quitlamahuiztiltia.

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