Ieo IForklift Yombane Yomsebenzi Onzima by Jing Zhao and Zhenghai Shang

Ieo IForklift Yombane Yomsebenzi Onzima by Jing Zhao and Zhenghai Shang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ibhaso Leplatinam le-A' Design Award in Uyilo lweMatshini aMakhulu Competition Category.

IplatinamUmatshini oMkhulu· 2026

Ieo IForklift Yombane Yomsebenzi Onzima

by Jing Zhao and Zhenghai Shang

Client: Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH

Ibhaso Leplatinam le-A' Design Award Winner in Umatshini oMkhulu Category

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The Design

About Ieo IForklift Yombane Yomsebenzi Onzima

Ieo yiforklift yombane yomsebenzi onzima eyenzelwe amazibuko kunye nemisebenzi yezothutho enzima. Ibhetri etshaja ngokukhawuleza inika ukusebenza okude kufike kwiiyure ezili-10 emva kweyure enye yokutshajwa, kunye nokusebenza kakuhle kwamandla okuphezulu ngeepesenti ezingama-40 kunezixhokelelo zedizili ezifanayo. Isihlalo esijikeleza ngeedigri ezili-180, umbono weedigri ezingama-360 oncedwa yi-AR, kunye nolawulo ngelizwi kuxhasa ukusebenza okulula. Izilinganisi zobunzima eziziqhelanisayo kunye neefoloko ezimodyuli ziphucula ukhuseleko, uzinzo, kunye nokusebenza ngeendlela ezininzi. Izinto ezisetyenziswayo ezinokuphinda zisetyenziswe kunye noyilo lomjikelo wobomi olumodyuli zandisa ubomi benkonzo kwaye zinciphisa ukukhutshwa komsi ekuphathweni kwemithwalo enzima.

The Recognition

About the Ibhaso Leplatinam le-A' Design Award

Ieo IForklift Yombane Yomsebenzi Onzima ngumphumeleli weIbhaso Leplatinam le-A' Design Award, ukuqatshelwa okuhlonitshwayo kakhulu okunikwa imiyilo eyahlukileyo ngokwenene, entle nenobungangamsha. Abaphumeleleyo bePlatinam zizimanga zendalo, ubungqina bemida yobuchule bengqondo, kwaye babonisa ubungcali nobuchule obungenakuthelekiswa babayili babo. Le miyilo iyathenjwa ukuba ibe yeyona misebenzi idumileyo echaza ubuhle bexesha, ineegalelo kwintlalontle yoluntu kwaye inyusa imida yobugcisa, inzululwazi, uyilo kunye nobuchwephesha. Ieo IForklift Yombane Yomsebenzi Onzima ibonisa inqanaba elingaphaya kokuqhelekileyo lokugqwesa kwaye ngokungathandabuzekiyo yenza ihlabathi libe yindawo engcono ngeempawu zayo eziluncedo nezixabisekileyo. Ieo IForklift Yombane Yomsebenzi Onzima ngumsebenzi ophumeleleyo weIbhaso Leplatinam le-A' Design Award ovusa iinqwenelo, ukhuthaza, ushukumisa, uvuyisa kwaye udala uvuyo olukhulu.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: IEO redefines heavy logistics with zero-emission power and human-centered intelligence. Its fast-charging battery provides 10 hours of operation after one hour of charging-40% more efficient than diesel. A 180° rotating seat, AR-assisted 360° vision, and voice control enable intuitive operation. Adaptive counterweights and modular forks improve safety and versatility. Built with recyclable materials and a modular lifespan design, IEO evolves from machine to smart partner for a greener future.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 12450mm x Depth 4180mm x Height 4720mm
Tags: Heavy-duty forklift, electric forklift, AI-Assisted Vision, 180 rotatable seat, Truck, Sustainable Industrial Design, Ergonomic Design
Production Technology: High-capacity zero-emission electric drivetrain engineered for ultra-heavy load applications.
Fast-charging lithium-ion battery system: 1-hour rapid charge enabling up to 10 hours of continuous operation, delivering 40% higher energy efficiency than conventional diesel systems.
180° rotating ergonomic seat integrated with AR-assisted 360° surround vision and AI-driven predictive safety monitoring.
Voice-activated digital cockpit featuring HUD interface and intelligent navigation architecture.
Modular fork configuration with adaptive counterweight system for optimized load stability and operational flexibility.
Advanced ergonomic engineering to minimize operator fatigue and enhance handling precision.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge was resolving the endurance–load paradox: delivering zero-emission electric power at a 55-ton capacity while maintaining structural integrity, stability, safety compliance, and operational efficiency in extreme port environments.

A second challenge was balancing industrial robustness with automotive-level comfort and intelligent interaction. Introducing AI vision, AR navigation, and a car-like cockpit had to enhance usability without increasing system complexity or disrupting operator familiarity.

Integrating heavy-duty engineering, modular architecture, and digital intelligence into a scalable, production-ready platform required extensive cross-disciplinary validation, cost control, and lifecycle optimization.
Research: Research Background:
Heavy-duty forklifts face three critical challenges: high emissions, operator fatigue, and limited safety systems. As global ports move toward carbon neutrality, there is increasing demand for electrified, intelligent equipment that balances ultra-heavy load capacity with endurance, comfort, and sustainability.

Methods:
Field observations in port operations, in-depth operator interviews, ergonomic studies, and competitive benchmarking were conducted. Engineering feasibility studies and sustainability lifecycle assessments guided concept validation.

Tools:
Anthropometric data analysis, digital cockpit simulation, AR vision testing, CAD/CAE structural modeling, battery performance modeling, and lifecycle carbon assessment tools supported development.

Participants:
Forklift operators, logistics managers, safety engineers, R&D engineers, and industrial designers across European and Asian markets.

Results and Insights:
Research revealed that comfort, intuitive interaction, and zero-emission performance are as critical as load capacity. Integrating lithium electrification, AI-assisted vision, modular systems, and automotive-level ergonomics significantly improves safety (+60%), reduces learning time (–50%), enhances efficiency, and establishes a new paradigm: from heavy machine to intelligent industrial partner.
Inspiration: I work in the cab 8 hours a day, I need comfort, efficiency, and safety, said a swedish forklift driver. High emissions, limited comfort, and inadequate safety systems are the top three pain points. IEO550-700 responds with zero-emission power and human-centered intelligence. Guided by gravity intelligence, it merges mechanical strength with technological lightness, elevating the operator from driver to system conductor through an immersive digital cockpit and adaptive control.
Project Duration: The project started in May 2025 in Germany and will finish in May 2027.
Operation Flow: Smart evolution transforms operation into intelligent orchestration. AI-powered vision and AR navigation optimize workflow awareness, reduce blind spots, and increase operational safety by 60%. Real-time data visualization streamlines decision-making and minimizes process latency.

Human–Machine synergy redefines interaction. A car-like cockpit layout, intuitive controls, and adaptive feedback systems reduce learning time by 50%, enabling seamless control logic, faster task execution, and a smoother transition from traditional operation to intelligent collaboration.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH
Team Members: Jing Zhao, Zhenghai Shang, Yingchun Bai, Jie Wang, Lin Zhang, Yang Meng, Hongkai Zhang, Chao Hu, Fei Ye，Yue Yang
Image Credits: Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH