The design community’s sense of enthusiasm to rise to the new challenge of facing the COVID-19 pandemic was evident in this year’s Red Dot Design Awards. While the whole world was turned on end, designers’ dedication to finding solutions through innovation did not falter.
Founder of Yanko Design, Takashi Yamada, said:
Innovative. It is not about making something bigger, better, stronger, faster, cheaper, etc., than your previous product or service. Innovation is about creating something that makes what you already have obsolete. And that’s why I love concepts so much – they always push the boundaries.
And that’s precisely what 2020 Red Dot Award projects were all about. To win a Red Dot is to gain a seal of quality. This year’s award ceremony was held online, with five exceptional design concepts nominated for the Red Dot: Luminary – the highest recognition awarded. The winner was a Robotic Prosthetic Knee by BionicM Inc. from Japan.
BiomicM Inc won because its design serves as an inspiration to other designers and engineers while also building a more inclusive world by elegantly merging robotic technology with the human body.
CEO of BionicM, Dr. Sun Xiaojun, told Red Dot about the company and its developments in an interview:
We are a startup company from Tokyo University, aiming to power mobility for all the people by fusing robotic technology and the human body. We are currently focused on designing a robotic prosthesis knee joint for above-knee amputees to improve their mobility. The reason why we are building a robotic prosthetics knee joint is that I am a prosthesis user. I got my right leg amputated when I was nine years old. It was difficult for me to afford a prosthesis, so I walked with a crutch for 15 years. I got my right leg’s first prosthesis when I came back to Japan. It changed my life, but I found there were many issues with the current product. So, I wanted to design a better product for myself and other people. I came back to Tokyo University as a Ph.D. student. I have done this research since 2015, and then I built this company after three years. We have developed several generation prototypes. We have done engineering verification tests, and we are going to pre-mass production in the early of next year.
Functionality and aesthetics are equally important in the prosthetics field. The design should feel socially acceptable so the user may comfortably and confidently wear it in their day-to-day life. The Robotic Prosthetic Knee accomplishes that and more. It is lightweight, compact, aesthetically pleasing, and restores the user’s physical functions. Its movements are so natural that you don’t notice it’s not a real leg, but it’s so nice-looking that you’ll want to show it off anyway.
Red Dot Juror, Mr. Kazuo Tanaka explained:
The Robotic Prosthetic Knee completely changes the concept of prostheses up to now. It is the fusion of body neural information and robot technology. As a result, the user can obtain a natural walking sensation that is completely different from a conventional artificial leg. What’s more, its appearance is fashionable and gives the user confidence.
The Robotic Prosthetic Knee is designed for above-knee amputees. Its electric motor produces assistive torque to help the user conduct daily activities less painfully and more efficiently.
It uses cutting-edge robotic and biomechanical technologies to improve mobility and quality of life. For example, it’s equipped with a reliable drive control system that replicates natural limb motor functions and sophisticated sensors to determine how users intend to move so it can make precise adjustments at every moment.
The device is designed to resemble the human silhouette, adopting a natural outline that includes a calf’s muscle bulge. The company plans to manufacture the high-quality shell in various colors and materials so the user can enjoy wearing it as a part of their self-expression.
