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Torqway Hybrid Physical Exercise Vehicle by Zbigniew Dubiel |
Home > Winners > Design #83264 >Interview |
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FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
ZD: The Torqway Hybrid target market is mature and active people age 55+. There are quite a few different personal mobility products on the market, which are destined for young audience. My goal was to make Torqway look modern, timeless and attractive. I also wanted to visually connect it with the technology behind it. Most of all by applying this design I wanted to encourage future users to try it. I think it is fresh, dynamic and still elegant design.
FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
ZD: It is still very common to see the not to well designed products for senior citizens in comparison to younger buyers. We don't agree with this. I am absolutely certain that it doesn't matter how old one is, we still like our products, vehicles to look nice. The design of Torqway looks safe and stable - it is very important. It gives impression like it is quite light and dynamic. The shape of the Torqway moving poles were inspired by muscular arms. Visual connection between our body and the device.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
ZD: The Torqway Company is currently working very hard on pre-series prototype production of the Hybrid. It should be on the market fairly soon. I reckon there will be a lots of people packing their Torqways to their electric cars and taking them to (for example) Northern Holland to explore tulip fields, seaside and sand dunes using endless bike roads. Fantastic alternative to the bicycles.
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
ZD: We spent about about nice months in total beginning from initial discussion to the final mockup of the design.
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
ZD: The Torqway company had approached me with the initial technical concept of the product. The general idea of how it should work like were known to me before I started my work. Two big and two small wheels, stable floor, two arms/poles for powering the vehicle. My job was to bring this technical concept to the level, where the visible parts are well designed and where the aesthetics of the vehicle work well with the practicality of Torqway. We wanted it to look very encouraging to be active in any age and with style.
FS: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
ZD: The design was commissioned by the Torqway Sp. z o.o. from Torun, Poland, which is in developing process of this product.
FS: What made you design this particular type of work?
ZD: I really like designing vehicles, products that help human move around. For me it was very exciting time designing Torqway Hybrid.
FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
ZD: I always look at surrounding nature, it is the biggest inspiration source for me. I also like to look on some futuristic architecture, science fiction movies. I think I like my designs to stay as simple as possible with a little touch of emotions. I am a big fan of simplistic design style of Dieter Rams.
FS: Who is the target customer for his design?
ZD: The product is for everyone who prefers to stay active and is looking for new forms of active mobility. The original idea of this product was to create mobile sports device for seniors in order to maintain their physical health.
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
ZD: Torqway Hybrid is very unique. Some see the similarities with Segway but it is an apparent similarity. It is all about maintaining physical activity by arm and entire body movement. Besides the obvious practicality there is also the styling which sets Torqway apart from many available on the market exercise devices. We are certain, that aging society will appreciate more the products, which provide not only practicality but also can visually connect with the user.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
ZD: Torqway has been created by by the company founders Beata and Andrzej Sobolweski. The name Torqway comes from the word torque - force causing rotation. The heart and the most important innovation of the Torqway Hybrid is the torque mechanism itself. It eliminates the neutral gear ride and because of this, it changes the levers motion to the rotational movement of the wheels without any unnecessary energy loss. Andrzej Sobolewski is the idea creator and the main engineer of the company.
FS: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
ZD: I prefer to stick with conventional pen and paper for the very initial ideation stage. Later I use the typical 2D and 3D digital designers tools, which help achieve the desired results.
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
ZD: I tried really hard to visually connect the Torqway Hybrid mechanical design with the future user expectations. So the way it looks it really represents the way it works.
FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
ZD: I have collaborated with Torqway engineers and modelmaking specialists.
FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
ZD: The mechanical torque mechanism along with the supporting electric power make the ideal combination for achieving desired use for the exercise, health and fun results.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
ZD: Yes, there was a large research done based on scientifics data before we started designing.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
ZD: I think the biggest challenge was to stay true to the mechanical and engineering requirements. It is a relatively small device and every millimeter counts.
FS: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
ZD: I have received the email from A"Design Award and Competition with proposition to participate with one of my tram design.
FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
ZD: Every project gives new challenges and opportunities to learn. The Torqway Hybrid project was also challenging and inspiring and because of the uniqueness of the product itself the design process required sometimes different approach. Being flexible and able to adjust in order to provide successful design solution.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
ZD: I am thankful for the opportunity Torqway has gave me to be included in such a inspiring and important project.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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