Iron Sporting Goods, Fitness and Recreation Equipment Design · 2019
Torqway Hybrid Physical Exercise Vehicle.
- A' Design Award 2019 Iron Winner in Sporting Goods, Fitness and Recreation Equipment Design
- Awarded April 15, 2019
- CLIENT: Torqway Sp. z o.o.
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 30,516
- Verification code 86E733CA4C · Verify this award
About Torqway Hybrid Physical Exercise Vehicle.
The Nordic riding vehicle. This is an innovative activity device for physical exercise, which supports mature people in maintaining good condition and physical independence. Riding Torqway activates all muscle groups, it doesn’t put strain on joints, and its exercises are up to 20% more effective than walking. The Torqway is very safe and stable due to its low center of gravity with batteries located in the floor. By implementation of the advanced hybrid drive technology, navigating the Torqway is very easy and convenient. The vehicle connects with the app for the activity tracking updates.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Nordic Riding.
It is a vehicle for physical exercise,
which supports mature people in maintaining good condition
and physical independence.
Riding Torqway activates all muscle groups, it doesn’t put strain
on joints, and Torqway exercises are up to 20% more effective
than walking. - Dimensions & Packaging
- The weight is going to be less than 40kg
The general dimensions :
height - 1217mm,
width - 654mm,
length - 708mm
please see the attachment - Tags
- Torqway Hybrid, Nordic Riding, Physical Exercise Vehicle,
- Production Technology
- Overall body construction is made by Polyamide 66 in molds technology. Most important parts are reinforcement by aluminum structures. As a propulsion we used compact but high torque engines powered by dedicated power supply designed for Torqway Hybrid purpose only.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest challenge was to create elegant, sporty and yet very functional surface around the given technical package. The idea was to create aesthetically pleasing visual connection between user and the device/vehicle.
- Project Duration
- Project (the design stage) has started in Fall 2017 and the design/styling has been approved in Spring 2018. The project currently is in the pre-production stage. The project has started in Torun, Poland and design stage was created in Derby, UK .
The Torqway company is located in Torun, Poland. - Operation Flow
- User uses arms to drive the vehicle and his heels to turn. Keeping the balance during the ride involves most of the torso muscles.
- Research
- The initial research before the first sketched ideas was about the human interaction with the exercise device/vehicle. Although the Torqway is the mechanical device the idea was to provide more of the visual connection with the person riding it. The nature was the great source of those inspirations. In order to give it more upscale feel, I had to look at premium everyday products.
The project was first sketched out using paper and pencil/pens, then digital drawing were applied and in the final stages 3D applications had to be used in order to match the provided engineering package.
The design was later transformed into the full scale mockup painted model (also used later for the marketing purposes - www.torqway.com). - Inspiration
- The original idea was created at Polish startup company Torqway . Initialy Torqway created fully working concept of mechanical mobility device. Then there was the idea of combining this innovative muscle powered vehicle with electric power - the Hybrid. I was responsible for designing the external look of the more advanced Torqway Hybrid.
Timeless classic with smooth lines and sophisticated details, premium class products. Natural and organic shapes that create harmony with the user. - Patents
- Copyrights belong to
Torqway Sp. z o.o. ,
Zbigniew Dubiel/Dubiel Design Ltd, 2019,
Colors of Torqway Hybrid Physical Exercise Vehicle.
Design Interview about Torqway Hybrid Physical Exercise Vehicle.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We spent about about nice months in total beginning from initial discussion to the final mockup of the design.
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.
The design was commissioned by the Torqway Sp. z o.o. from Torun, Poland, which is in developing process of this product.
I really like designing vehicles, products that help human move around. For me it was very exciting time designing Torqway Hybrid.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I have collaborated with Torqway engineers and modelmaking specialists.
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.
Yes, there was a large research done based on scientifics data before we started designing.
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.
I have received the email from A"Design Award and Competition with proposition to participate with one of my tram design.
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.
I am thankful for the opportunity Torqway has gave me to be included in such a inspiring and important project.