Groove Platenspeler by Daniel Henneh is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award in Zilver in Consumentenelektronica Competition Category.

ZilverConsumentenelektronica· 2025

Groove Platenspeler

by Daniel Henneh

Client: Groove

A' Design Award in Zilver Winner in Consumentenelektronica 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 Groove Platenspeler

Groove is een platenspeler die vinylweergave combineert met digitale technologie. De behuizing is machinaal vervaardigd uit een massief blok geanodiseerd aluminium en voorzien van gepolijste roestvrijstalen componenten. Een projector met kort bereik toont een menu, songteksten, albumhoezen en trackgegevens op een nabijgelegen muur. Wanneer een plaat op het plateau wordt gelegd, wordt deze automatisch gedetecteerd en komt de toonarm uit zijn ruststand. Muziekherkenning identificeert het nummer tijdens de eerste seconden van het afspelen. Een intrekbare draaiknop trekt zich terug wanneer de speler niet in gebruik is, waardoor de vormgeving minimaal blijft.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Zilver

Groove Platenspeler is winnaar van de A' Design Award in Zilver, een buitengewoon prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan topontwerpen die prachtig en indrukwekkend zijn. Winnaars in Zilver zijn enorm briljante en uiterst creatieve werken die de uitmuntende expertise, het talent en de scherpzinnigheid van hun ontwerpers illustreren. Groove Platenspeler wordt verwacht een prachtig paradepaardje te zijn dat opmerkelijk professioneel en diepgaand innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in Zilver heeft gewonnen, is een hoogst opmerkelijke, bewonderde uitvinding die baat en de grenzen van kunst, wetenschap, ontwerp en technologie verlegt. Groove Platenspeler is een zeer benijde creatie die verlangens oproept, positieve gevoelens brengt en verbazing en verwondering doet ontvlammen.

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