Cross Pod 自立式手杖 by Koji Sato is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 銅獎 in 配飾設計 Competition Category.

銅配飾· 2026

Cross Pod 自立式手杖

by Koji Sato

A' Design Award 銅獎 Winner in 配飾 Category

12,168

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #178817

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Cross Pod 自立式手杖

呢件產品嘅設計目的係令使用單點手杖更加方便。行路嘅時候，手杖尖端嘅腳架部分會收埋，令操控靈活自如，同一般單點手杖冇分別。企定唔郁嘅時候，將腳架撐開就可以即刻穩穩陣陣咁企立。呢個摺疊式腳架設計避免阻礙行路，只喺有需要嘅時候先提供穩固支撐。方便實用加上精緻嘅設計，為使用者帶嚟樂趣。呢個設計令佢唔單止係一件助行工具，更加似一件支持生活方式嘅產品。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅獎

Cross Pod 自立式手杖是 A' Design Award 銅獎得主，這是授予以創造力、獨創性和敏銳見長的傑出設計的極具聲望的認可。銅獎得主是技藝嫻熟、創意驚人的作品，印證了其設計師豐富的經驗、想像力與機智。預計Cross Pod 自立式手杖將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的物品，兼具顯著的專業性與創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銅獎的設計融入藝術、科學、設計和技術領域的最佳實踐，並因注重細節而出類拔萃。Cross Pod 自立式手杖出色地滿足需求，觸動渴望，迷住情感，並吸引好奇心。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: CrossPOD is a one point cane stably standable anywhere. Just open its four legs attached to the tip of the cane to allow it stand anywhere in situations you need to have your hands free.
When walking, you can close your legs to use it as a one point cane, allowing you to walk smoothly.
It was small and lightweight, and it was designed so that switching of the legs can be done with simple operation.
The pure one-point cane that can be stand is an unprecedent.
Dimensions & Packaging: Wide: 130mm
Depth: 50mm
Height: min750mm max 970mm /10 level adjustment
Weight: 360g
Material: aluminum,Wood,Resin
Tags: Cane, Health, Care, Wellness, Rehabilitation, Independence, Standing, Walking, #Senior, SDGs, CrossPOD, Onepoint
Production Technology: A one point cane is a portable item, it must be lightweight.
Therefore, complex mechanisms cannot be added.
It also requires simple and easy operation.
Considering this balance, we designed it using a spring and link mechanism.

The result is:
* Simple manual operation/ two actions: twist and slide
* An easy-to-grip handle
* A slim form that doesn't get in the way when closed like a bud before it blooms
* A wide leg span when opened
Furthermore, while maintaining a minimalist overall appearance, we incorporated vivid accent colors to create a fun and enjoyable product.
Design Challenge: The following are important for this product to be enjoyable.

*Comfort
*Stability
*Ease of Use
*Lightweight
*Form
*Cost

However, there are conflicting aspects, so we focused on balancing them when designing.
Research: *Type of Research
Design Proposals for the Ageing Society Ahead.

*Research Objectives
Enriching the lives of those with walking difficulties.

*Methodology
Fun to use!
Make the 1 point cane easier to use.

*Data Collection
Interviews with practitioners, workshops, etc.

*Participants or Experiments
Conducted load testing and other safety verification experiments.

*Results
Perfectly fine.

*Insights and Impacts,
Positive feedback from purchasers.
Design awards and patent contest accolades.
Export track record to Canada, Germany, Thailand,etc.
It is also commonly used as a gift.
Inspiration: A one point cane is the most common tool used to assist with walking.
However, when you want to let go of the cane, the tip is the point, so it is inconvenient because you cannot stand it up.
There are also canes with four rubber tips, but they make it difficult to walk smoothly, are unstable when standing up, and are a little heavy.
So we came up with the idea of solving this problem by adding opening and closing legs to the tip of the cane.
Project Duration: The project started in April 2018 in Oita Japan and was released for sale in Jan 2020.
Following several internal refinements, it evolved into the current model in October 2023.
Operation Flow: Closing the legs allows you to walk smoothly, and opening them when standing.
Opening the legs is a two step operation.
Slightly twist the grip to unlock, and slide the cane towards the tip to open and stand up.
Closing is the reverse operation.
Patents: Patented in Japan.
Patent No.6590177
Patent Holder. KOJI SATO
Year. 2019
Jurisdiction. Japan Patent Office
Image Credits: N/A