We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Zbigniew Dubiel about their original and creative Physical Exercise Vehicle. design work. Zbigniew Dubiel is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original physical exercise vehicle. works.
Zbigniew Dubiel ("ZD") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Torqway Hybrid Physical Exercise Vehicle.. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
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.
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.
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.
ZD : We spent about about nice months in total beginning from initial discussion to the final mockup of the design.
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.
ZD : The design was commissioned by the Torqway Sp. z o.o. from Torun, Poland, which is in developing process of this product.
ZD : I really like designing vehicles, products that help human move around. For me it was very exciting time designing Torqway Hybrid.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ZD : I have collaborated with Torqway engineers and modelmaking specialists.
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.
ZD : Yes, there was a large research done based on scientifics data before we started designing.
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.
ZD : I have received the email from A"Design Award and Competition with proposition to participate with one of my tram design.
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.
ZD : I am thankful for the opportunity Torqway has gave me to be included in such a inspiring and important project.
