Silver Vehicle Parts, Auto Accessories and Care Products Design · 2026
Amo Multifunctional Folklift Armrest
by Zhenghai Shang and Jing Zhao
- A' Design Award 2026 Silver Winner in Vehicle Parts, Auto Accessories and Care Products Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 16,412
- Verification code 1BB4176F29 · Verify this award
About Amo Multifunctional Folklift Armrest
Amo is a multifunctional armrest designed for forklift cabs. The armrest gathers control buttons within a compact zone, so the operator can perform frequent actions with small finger and wrist movements instead of large arm motions. The curved surface supports the forearm and follows the shape of the hand. A replaceable front control module can be exchanged quickly to match different driver habits, which reduces the number of armrest types needed. Amo is made from modular injection molded parts with standardized interfaces.
Jing Zhao and Zhenghai Shang's Amo Multifunctional Forklift Armrest exemplifies the sophisticated integration of ergonomic research, material innovation, and aesthetic refinement that characterizes contemporary industrial design at its most accomplished. Emerging from the intersection of human factors engineering and visual design practice, this work demonstrates how functional necessity and formal elegance need not exist in opposition but may instead achieve synthesis through rigorous design methodology. The armrest system presents a commanding presence through its architectural organization of multiple operational zones: the primary support surface accommodating the operator's forearm, the cantilevered control module housing joystick and button arrays, and the adjustable elements permitting customization to individual anthropometric requirements. The chromatic strategy employs strategic restraint, with the dominant gray palette establishing professional gravitas while vermillion accents serve dual purposes of brand identification and visual wayfinding toward critical safety controls. Material selections reveal careful consideration of tactile experience across extended operational periods, with woven textile surfaces offering breathability and comfort where sustained contact occurs, while thermoplastic housings provide durability and cleanability in demanding industrial environments. The formal vocabulary demonstrates awareness of contemporary design discourse, particularly the movement toward integrated systems thinking where individual components achieve coherence through shared geometric language and material relationships. One might observe how the sweeping profile of the armrest echoes automotive interior design traditions while adapting these references to the specific functional requirements of material handling equipment operation. This work invites contemplation of how design intelligence transforms utilitarian necessity into objects worthy of aesthetic appreciation, demonstrating that attention to human experience enriches even the most functionally determined contexts.
Press Kit
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Image Credits
- Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH
- Patents
- Heli Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Europe GmbH