Amo Lagolago Lima o le Forklift by Zhenghai Shang and Jing Zhao

Amo Lagolago Lima o le Forklift by Zhenghai Shang and Jing Zhao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Ario in Mea Fa'aopoopo Ta'avale Competition Category.

ArioMea Fa'aopoopo Ta'avale· 2026

Amo Lagolago Lima o le Forklift

by Zhenghai Shang and Jing Zhao

Client: Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH

A' Design Award Ario Winner in Mea Fa'aopoopo Ta'avale 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 Lagolago Lima o le Forklift

O le Amo o se lagolago lima e tele ona faʻaoga ua mamanuina mo potu faʻauluulu o forklift. E faʻapotopoto e le lagolago lima ia faʻamau faʻatonu i totonu o se sone faʻapipiʻi, ina ia mafai e le tagata faʻafoe ona faia gaioiga faifaipea i ni gaioiga laiti o tamatamai lima ma le tapulima nai lo gaioiga tetele o le lima atoa. O le fogāfale piʻo e lagolagoina ai le alalima ma mulimuli i le foliga o le lima. E mafai ona vave suia se vaega faʻatonu pito i luma e mafai ona suia ina ia fetaui ma masaniga eseese a le au aveta'avale, lea e faʻaitiitia ai le numera o ituaiga lagolago lima e manaʻomia. O le Amo e faia mai vaega faʻavaega ua gaosia i le injection molding ma faʻafesoʻotaʻiga faʻataʻatia tutusa.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Ario

O le A' Design Award Ario na manumalo ai Amo Lagolago Lima o le Forklift, o se faamaoniga matuā mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu sili ona lelei, matagofie ma mataʻutia. O ē manumalo i le Ario o galuega susulu tele ma fatufatuaʻi e faaalia ai le poto, le taleni ma le atamai o tagata mamanu. E faamoemoeina Amo Lagolago Lima o le Forklift e avea ma galuega matagofie, o se fesuiaiga mo isi, e iloga i le tomai faapolofesa ma mea fou loloto. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Ario o se mea e iloga, ua mataʻina e aogā ma tuleia atu tapulaʻa o le faatufugaga, saienisi, mamanu ma tekonolosi. Amo Lagolago Lima o le Forklift o se mea e fiafia i ai le toatele, e fafagu ai manaʻoga, aumaia ai lagona lelei ma tupu ai le ofo.

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