Wusa 電動個人代步車 by Anri Sugihara is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award 銀獎 in 車輛、出行及交通運輸設計 Competition Category.

銀車輛· 2021

Wusa 電動個人代步車

by Anri Sugihara

Client: RDS Co., Ltd.

A' Design Award 銀獎 Winner in 車輛 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #117242

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Wusa 電動個人代步車

Wusa係一款細型電動電單車，同時可以做手動輪椅嘅動力裝置。呢款輕巧嘅車輛適合喺市區出行同休閒使用。堅固嘅鋼架承托住一個輕量鋰離子電池，電池置於低位並偏向一側，令呢個裝置可以配合輪椅使用。後輪驅動令最高時速達到每小時35公里，而長行程嘅後懸掛系統則增添咗舒適感。可以安裝現有嘅電單車零件，所以呢款車輛可以自訂配置。Wusa嘅設計旨在吸引所有駕駛者，並唔止限於輪椅使用者。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銀獎

Wusa 電動個人代步車是 A' Design Award 銀獎得主，這是授予頂級、華美而令人印象深刻的設計的極為崇高的認可。銀獎得主是極其卓越、極具創造力的作品，展現出其設計師傑出的專業技能、才華與敏銳。預計Wusa 電動個人代步車將成為一件出色的典範之作，兼具非凡的專業性與深刻的創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銀獎的設計是一項備受矚目、令人欽佩的發明，造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Wusa 電動個人代步車是一件令人羨慕的創作，它喚起渴望，帶來積極的情感，並激發驚嘆與讚嘆。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: WUSA is a small electric motorcycle that you can easily ride. It is a vehicle with two sides, It isn't only a motorcycle but also a combined with a wheelchair to be used as electric mobility, and is intended for use in urban areas and leisure activities. It can also be docked with WF01, which won the Platinum Award at the A'Design Award in 2020, and is a proposal for a new means of transportation regardless of the rider, with a wide range of users with various usages.
Dimensions & Packaging: size:950 x 500 x 600
weight:25kg
max motor power:500W(to resister as a moped to ride on public road in japan)
Tags: eMoto, Movility, Wheelchair, SDGs, Inclusive Design, EV
Production Technology: A sturdy steel frame with a lightweight, high-capacity lithium-ion battery placed low and sideways for use in wheelchairs. Existing bike and mini bike parts can be used, and you can customize it as you like. Its rear-wheel drive up to 35 kph maximum and does not lose traction with wheelspin uphill with wheelchair use. Equipped with a rear suspension with a large stroke, riders can enjoy comfort ride and the difference of turning with acceleration and braking that is fun as a motorcycle.
Design Challenge: RDS Co., Ltd. has been engaged in R&D of various motor sports products for years and has been an official partner of F1 racing team Scuderia AlphaTauri recently. RDS have also developed competitive equipment for parasports with athletes. They live in wheelchairs and have limited mobility, but love vehicles and speed. The technology cultivated in racing field can create a vehicle enjoy together. “Cool thing is justice” is the philosophy of RDS, and we aim to create products that embody it.
Inspiration: Japan is a leading country of issues. One of the typical issue is the progressing of the aging and depopulation especially in local sites, causing how to keep daily moving as a issue. Some public transportation is being closed due to reduced demand. In addition, there are wheelchair users as existing vulnerable. Any transportation that fills the middle between a car and a wheelchair will help a lot yet for only limited demand for welfare use, it is often hard to solve it in reasonable price.
Project Duration: The project started in September 2019 in Japan and keep on going.
Operation Flow: WUSA is a vehicle with two sides, It isn't only a motorcycle but also a power unit for a wheelchair. This compact mobility won't separate user by their body ability. It can be enjoyed by both manual wheelchair users and able-bodied people for their own usage. By not to be a pure welfare product, an attractive design that everyone wants and be able to ride, RDS want to add a new way of the welfare mobilities should be.
Team Members: RDS Ltd., Co., exiii design Inc. Yoshihiro Hirata R2, MAGNET Inc., makesense Inc. and quod, LLC
Image Credits: RDS Co., Ltd.