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TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards 2021: Six gold award-winning design innovations revealed!


Taipei – WEBWIRE

Congratulations: This year, a total of 38 design innovations were honored with the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards 2021. Six most outstanding bicycle innovations were awarded with the TAIPEI CYCLE gold award. The special prize for newcomers, the Gold Award – Young Enterprise, went to a Taiwanese startup.

Organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Taiwan Bicycle Association (TBA) and executed by iF DESIGN ASIA Ltd., the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards 2021 makes clear that design innovations play an irreplaceable role in these extraordinary times.

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global industries, the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards this year still attracted nearly 110 qualified submissions from ten countries. Most of judges were surprised that there are still many innovative products participating in the competition under the influence of the epidemic this year, which shows that innovation still has an irreplaceable role even in difficult circumstances. Among all the participated products, the design of e-bikes is more competent and matured in terms of the integration of system and parts, which means the design tends to focus on the user experience. Under the outbreak of the pandemic, the bicycle industry has shown a strong V-shaped recovery, more solutions are developed to meet the daily commuter needs and to cater to larger groups. Also, many synergistic opportunities can be seen during this period. Overall, e-bikes and e-thinking will continue to make an impact on the industry, which will continue to thrive the bicycle industry.

 Exhibitions

Due to the unstable condition, TAITRA announced the postponement of the TAIPEI CYCLE physical show to an unknown date, while the virtual event TAIPEI CYCLE 2021 – ONLINE will still take place as scheduled between 3 March and 31 March 2021. 300 exhibitor booths are expected to be on display, the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards online pavilion will be featuring all award winners. In addition to this, the winners will be presented physically at the at iF design salon Taipei from 16 March 2021 to 9 July 2021, later move to Chengdu to be showcased at the iF design center Chengdu. Buyers, exhibitors, and the general public are cordially invited to visit.

 The six TAIPEI CYCLE gold awards 2021 went to:

Name of entry: REACTO TEAM-EAll-round aero bike
Category: Complete bicycle
Manufacturer: Merida Industry Co., Ltd.Changhua, Taiwan
Design office: Merida Industry Co., Ltd.Changhua, Taiwan

The REACTO TEAM-E is a special, aerodynamically refined aero bike, capable of efficiently turning the rider’s muscle power into forward motion. The bike features its stiffness, light weight, comfort, and outstanding climbing ability. Even though these features don’t always go hand in hand with achieving class-leading aerodynamic perfection, the amazing overall performance nonetheless makes the REACTO TEAM-E a unique all-round aero bike. All in all, the REACTO TEAM-E deserves the award with fantastic verdicts such as “game changer” & a 5/5-star score from Cyclingnews, “second to none” & a 10/10 score & Bike of the Month from CyclingWeekly, and top ranked in overall performance by Tour, etc.

Jury statement
“The mainstream aerodynamic design has a good visual balance with the shape design. The components and the frame are highly integrated, and the disc brake cooling fins, derailleur hanger and other parts are integrated with delicate design ingenuity. The appearance maintains in high quality and makes it an impressive bicycle product.”

Name of entry: Cadex BoostSaddle
Category: Parts and components
Manufacturer: [b]CadexTaichung, Taiwan [/b]
Design office: [b]Giant GroupTaichung, Taiwan [/b]

The CADEX Boost gives elite cyclists the performance advantage to stay ahead of the pack. It is developed around a two-piece advanced forged composite frame that eliminates unwanted flex for the greatest possible transfer of power. The integrated rail design enables the CADEX Boost to relieve common pressure points by positioning the rail connections at the base in an area that’s not a contact point for riders. Particle flow technology further disperses pressure at the saddle/sit bones’ contact points, offering the ultimate in support, compliance, and comfort.

Jury statement
“Beautiful execution of complex product that balances aesthetics, structure and comfort. Highly attractive, lightweight, distinctive styling. Usually a saddle at this weight would feel like sitting on a block of plastic but the Cadex Boost distributes pressure evenly, resulting in a comfort that is unique for a premium ultra light saddle.”

Name of entry: Liv Tropic CollectionRider gear
Category: Cycling accessories
Manufacturer: LivTaichung, Taiwan
Design office: Giant GroupTaichung, Taiwan

Liv Cycling is the only comprehensive cycling brand dedicated solely to women. The innovative gear fit and perform at the highest level and aim to empower all female riders from beginners to pros. The product design incorporates dappled sunlight shining through the vibrant green of palm fronds, a hint of bird of paradise flowers, and a tropical vacation look designed to transport you beyond the status quo. With bright coral accents that pop against the deep, jungle green, the Liv Tropic Series, which includes the Liv Avail Advanced bike, brings a fresh, lush feel to pro-level, innovative design features.

Jury statement
“A good consideration of a product integrative corporate design adjusted for a certain lifestyle group. The exhibited example gives also a good imagination about possible adjustments in surfaces and also in the hardware itself.”

Name of entry: VOTANI H3E-bike
Category: E-bikes and drive units
Manufacturer: Darfon lnnovation Corp.Taoyuan, Taiwan
Design office: Darad Innovation Corp.Taoyuan, Taiwan

The BESV Votani H3 provides user-friendly features to meet every riders’ needs. Sleek and stylish, the Votani H3 has a simple and aesthetically pleasing design. Furthermore, the Votani H3 is equipped with the Algorhythm power system, which increases the user’s comfort and enjoyment during city rides. Personalized accessories are compatible for different user purposes. The removable battery, boasting a high 252Wh capacity (36V, 7Ah), is easy to charge and is integrated into the entire frame design. Its technological control interface and automatic environmental headlight increase riding safety and convenience.

Jury statement
“For cyclists who ride for sports purposes, VOTANI H3 has changed the impression of e-bikes. It is easy to ride and the acceleration time is just right. Comfort and smoothness are the experience after the test ride. It is very suitable for riding in the city. A good choice of urban mobility for sports lovers!”

Name of entry: Gmigo OneModular smart e-bike
Category: E-bikes and drive units
Manufacturer: Tianjin Jidian Road Technology Co., Ltd.|Tianjin, China
Design office: Tianjin Jidian Road Technology Co., Ltd.|Tianjin, China

Gmigo One is an innovative modular electric moped with small wheels, designed for urban youth who are looking for environmentally friendly travel and multiple entertainment travel scenarios. To transform the Gmigo One into different travel products, the unique frame plug-in (disconnecting-connecting) structure was designed for the easy replacement of different module components. This modularization concept balances functionality and entertainment. The easily detachable hub makes the folded volume smaller and easier to store, allowing the bike to be easily and neatly placed in the trunk of a car. The magnesium alloy die-cast body reduces the weight of the bike.

Jury statement
“The Gmigo One is very stylish already at first sight and designed all the way through to every detail, e.g. the clamping levers, front light and gas throttle lever. The smart e-bike also rides pretty well. Its simple and intuitive disassembly makes it easy to store or transport. Understanding that this is a prototype, there are still some details that need some improvements, like the shape of the grips, especially the brake lever should be changed to the traditional front position for the sake of safety.”

 Winner of the Gold Award – Young Enterprise 2021

Name of entry: TA: e-Bike TaillightE-bike taillight with brake lamp
Category: Cycling accessories
Manufacturer: Litemove Technology Co., Ltd.Taichung, Taiwan
Design officeIDS Corporations Ltd.Taichung, Taiwan

The Litemove TA light is a distinctive rear light with brake lamp functionality for e-bikes. It offers versatile all-in-one mounting options, and is easy to securely attach to standard carrier mounts (80 & 50mm) or integrated with a carrier. The chamfered side design prevents damage from parking against the wall. The side cable outlet arrangement provides neat and clean routing ideas for bike builders. The innovative optical design gives the lamp a three-dimensional appearance and a variety of patterns when viewed at different angles. Using advanced composite materials offers a solid structure, which also allows great cooling performance, thereby enhances product durability.

Jury statement
“For a young company to be able to achieve the level of integration as Litemove Technology Co. Ltd did in the Tailight is quite impressive and deserving of this award. The design itself in its clean and integrated form impressed the jury team who all applaud the final result! We urge them to keep going and continue to deliver more innovative products in the coming years!”

 Jury Biographies and Jury Impressions

This year’s award-winning products were chosen by Georg Todtenbier (CRE8 DESIGN, Taipei), Johann Geiger (Dayeh University, Changhua), Ken O’Rourke (KOR-DESIGN, Taichung) , Moses Hu (VanMoof, Taipei) , Debbie Huang (PEGA D&E, Taipei), Edward Chiang (CYD Innovation Co., Ltd., Taichung) and Francois Liang (Cycling & Health Tech Industry R&D Center, Taichung). The jurors assessed the entries with their profound experience and through intensive discussions on the basis of the following criteria: innovation and elaboration, functionality, aesthetics, responsibility and positioning.

 Georg Todtenbier, CRE8 DESIGN | Taipei, Taiwain

Georg Todtenbier is Senior Design Manager at CRE8 DESIGN, the largest design firm in Taiwan, where he is also engaged as University part-time lecturer for Product Design. Prior to this, he had a position within the Panasonic Design Team in Japan, worked as a stone sculptor and studied Fine Arts in Germany. His designs in the field of consumer electronics, gaming products, bicycles and accessories received numerous design awards.

Statement
“I observed an overall higher level of design quality compared to previous years. The increasing numberof e-bikes, the trend of adding additional “smart” features and functionality and with clean integration continues. Surprisingly, I did not see as many cargo e-bikes as expected, because this was one of the major trends I saw during the past year. As always, the competition and the judging procedure was very well prepared and executed by the team.”

Johann Geiger, Dayeh University | Changhua, Taiwan

Johann Geiger graduated from the ‘Fachhochschule fuer Industrial Design’ in Munich in 1983 with a degree in Industrial Design. In the same year he became a member of the target-DESIGN studio, with which he already had a good working relationship. In 1988, Geiger was appointed chief designer, a post he held until he started teaching in 2004. Today he teaches transportation and industrial design in Taiwan, while still working internationally as a designer and consultant. He has already been a jury member in other design competitions such as the IBDC international bicycle design competition and VIDA, the Asia vehicle innovation design competition.

Statement
“In the shadow of COVID-19, this event sure faces a special situation. I was therefore even surprised by the amount of entries, also, as other events are closing down or can only be held online, we were able to feel, touch and really understand and experience the real hardware. The bike industry actually is profiting from the pandemic and thus concentrates on production more than new product innovation. Nevertheless, the award shows that development is still ongoing and is still necessary for the future. The event therefore is a reminder and measuring tool for the industry, especially in Taiwan, to be kept updated and prepare for the things to come, like sharing, product integration, customization and refinements in design and engineering. Design and innovation stay at No.1 in creating a successful product.”

Ken O’Rourke, KOR-Design | Taichung, Taiwan

Ken O’Rourke is the owner of KOR-Design, a company specializing in product design, engineering, and manufacturing services for bicycles. He graduated with a degree in engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1996 and then worked as a design engineer for the well-known US-American bicycle brand, Trek Bicycle. Ken is considered as a creative designer with a sound background not only in his chosen field but also as very knowledgeable with respect to sales markets, marketing, and sales.

Statement
“Very well organized. Despite COVID-19, the entries covered the full range of cycling products. It would be great to see a more substantial presence of brands from outside of Taiwan.”

Moses Hu, VanMoof | Taipei, Taiwan

Moses Hu is the chief product designer in VanMoof, a Dutch bicycle brand specialized in providing the best solution for bicycle commuters. With passion and love for bicycles, he devoted himself to bicycle design after earning an MA in Industrial Design at Shih-Chien University. His works have been described as innovative and visionary, and include electric bikes, single-speed bikes and even accessories and small details. He has received recognition in many world-renowned design competitions such as the iF DESIGN AWARD. and Red Dot Design Award.

Statement
“The impact of the pandemic has caused significant changes in the bicycle industry in 2020. It can be seen from the entries in this year that the effort and energy put into innovative research and new product development have no longer focused on sports, competition or leisure, but tapped into the needs of various groups, such as commuting, cargo, etc. While widening breadth of bicycles, the bicycle industry also establishes a richer product depth. Attempting to use new technologies is one of the key elements of winning the TAIPEI CYCEL d&i awards. In addition, the creative process in product development also begins to swift from discovering and solving problems to focusing more on lowering the threshold and offer better user experience, and narrowing the distance between the product and the user, which should be very much encouraged.”

Debbie Huang, PEGA D&E | Taipei, Taiwan

While the computer industry was in rapid growth in 2000, Debbie Huang was the first and only industrial designer at ASUSTek Computer Inc., who then established the Department of Design with one hundred staff and which department excelled continuously in the product design of 3C appliances. In 2008, Debbie joined Pegatron Corporation and set up its own Department of Design. Pegatron Corporation was once ASUS’ ODM and spun off from Asus the same year. Debbie let the team in offering the most creative ideas to achieve promising outcome and eventually earned huge commercial success for the clients. Debbie was promoted as AVP of Chairman’s Office at PEGA in 2018. Even though stepping back from the frontline of product design, Debbie is continuously offering her professional insights into design for the Department of Design, where she began her amazing career. Now, she also becomes a leisure cyclist and an outdoor enthusiast.

Statement
“The large number of e-bikes reflects the changes in travel behavior and transportation demand under the pandemic, and the bicycle industry which used to focus more on sports have also begun to leave room and opportunities for expansion. Combining the strengths of Taiwan’s two outstanding industries (electronics and bicycles) and expanding the population of users is the right direction for the bicycle industry to work on in this pandemic era.”

Edward Chiang, CYD Innovation Co., Ltd. | Taichung, Taiwan

Being a prominent figure in the field of innovation and design management, Edward Chiang is constantly on the search for new possibilities in order to find better global design solutions. Edward was Co-founder at Jia Inc, a Chinese innovation-oriented household goods brand, which has won over 60 international design prizes. He was also Consultant at DEM Inc., focusing on multi-disciplinary design approach and process. Furthermore, he was Design Director of Giant Bicycle. Edward graduated from New York University and the Parsons School of Design.

Statement
“In the face of a rapidly changing world, it is great to know that we still have such a strong interest in the bicycle industry. This past year with all its ups and downs still drew a wide selection of entries in the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards. A common theme we see this year is a clear and continuous shift from “product” to “system” in innovation and achievement. We judges all had a great time learining  as well as judging each of the entries to the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards 2021. E-bikes and e-thinking will continue to make impact to the industry, which will continue to thrive through an ever lasting world.”

Francois Liang, Cycling and Health Tech Industry R&D Center | Taichung, Taiwan

Francois Liang is the General Manager of the Cycling and Health Tech. Industry R&D Center (CHC) in Taichung, Taiwan. With a degree in Naval Architecture Engineering, he also earned a Doctor degree in Industrial Engineering in 2014. Liang has worked in different capacities in various fields of engineering in the aero and auto industry since 1984. He has been employed at CHC since 1997 – responsible first and foremost for the development of bicycle products. Liang has been involved in the bicycle industry for the past 20 years.

Statement
“The bicycles and its parts and components originally belong to traditional mechanical engineering field; while to introduce new technologies to bikes, such as electrical power and electronics, and mobility solutions, which all plays an important role in the new products and services development process.”

This year’s list of winners and related information can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Zk_K29Kn2SSSaOpRPVRtU037ndUTeav_?usp=sharing

Information on the award winners is presented on the official websites of the TAIPEI CYCLE Show, the Taiwan Bicycle Association and the iF WORLD DESIGN GUIDE.


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