Krpan - Winch Remote Control Unit

Designing for safety: an ergonomic winch remote control

Client

Pišek Vitli Krpan

Year(s)

2023

We helped Krpan develop a remote control that prioritises work safety, comfortable use and simplifies manufacturing.

Others about us:

  • Using Intuido, we were able to collect more than 300 insights in just 2 weeks, providing us with a better understanding of our users, their experiences and needs. The tool also enabled us to create organised and well-structured innovation guidelines that will help shape the development of our products and services in the future.

    Matija Torlak

    Product Director

    ,

    Plastika Skaza

  • Throughout the entire process, we have learned from Sito that we cannot address and resolve different needs and requirements using the methods we have known and been accustomed to until now. This is a significant gain that will help us in the development of our entire business, not just in space planning.

    Marin Medak

    Founder

    ,

    Della Spina

  • Sustainability is a core value at Intra Lighting, but often takes a back seat to quality, modularity, and culture, relying on individual employees. Efforts lacked consistent management and communication. Our collaboration sought to create a comprehensive sustainability strategy, with workshops producing valuable content for future solutions.

    Nika Furlan

    Head of Marketing

    ,

    Intra Lighting

  • AMZS has a rich tradition yet faces mobility challenges. Flexibility, agility, and innovation drive our mission. We grow as individuals and teams. To communicate our mission, we partnered with Sito, enabling us to overcome challenges and co-create efficient paths for new offers and upgrades.

    Lucija Sajevec

    CEO

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    AMZS

  • Design research process proved essential in defining innovation opportunities when developing our sailing boats. It is exciting to hear that this process is now available in digital form.

    Andraž Mihelin

    CEO

    ,

    Seascape

  • Over the duration of the project, our company has grown from 4 to 14 employees and has entered the US and Australian markets. Thanks to KCDM, we started using service design and began systematically managing our design processes.

    Andraž Mihelin

    CEO

    ,

    Seascape

  • Excellent collaboration that provided employees with the opportunity to express their needs and expectations for the new space and professionally guided the process through which we aligned priorities.

    Martina Knavs

    Strategic Projects

    ,

    Jožef Štefan Insitute

Others about us:

  • Using Intuido, we were able to collect more than 300 insights in just 2 weeks, providing us with a better understanding of our users, their experiences and needs. The tool also enabled us to create organised and well-structured innovation guidelines that will help shape the development of our products and services in the future.

    Matija Torlak

    Product Director

    ,

    Plastika Skaza

  • Excellent collaboration that provided employees with the opportunity to express their needs and expectations for the new space and professionally guided the process through which we aligned priorities.

    Martina Knavs

    Strategic Projects

    ,

    Jožef Štefan Insitute

  • Design research process proved essential in defining innovation opportunities when developing our sailing boats. It is exciting to hear that this process is now available in digital form.

    Andraž Mihelin

    CEO

    ,

    Seascape

  • Throughout the entire process, we have learned from Sito that we cannot address and resolve different needs and requirements using the methods we have known and been accustomed to until now. This is a significant gain that will help us in the development of our entire business, not just in space planning.

    Marin Medak

    Founder

    ,

    Della Spina

  • Sustainability is a core value at Intra Lighting, but often takes a back seat to quality, modularity, and culture, relying on individual employees. Efforts lacked consistent management and communication. Our collaboration sought to create a comprehensive sustainability strategy, with workshops producing valuable content for future solutions.

    Nika Furlan

    Head of Marketing

    ,

    Intra Lighting

  • Over the duration of the project, our company has grown from 4 to 14 employees and has entered the US and Australian markets. Thanks to KCDM, we started using service design and began systematically managing our design processes.

    Andraž Mihelin

    CEO

    ,

    Seascape

  • AMZS has a rich tradition yet faces mobility challenges. Flexibility, agility, and innovation drive our mission. We grow as individuals and teams. To communicate our mission, we partnered with Sito, enabling us to overcome challenges and co-create efficient paths for new offers and upgrades.

    Lucija Sajevec

    CEO

    ,

    AMZS

Others about us:

  • Sustainability is a core value at Intra Lighting, but often takes a back seat to quality, modularity, and culture, relying on individual employees. Efforts lacked consistent management and communication. Our collaboration sought to create a comprehensive sustainability strategy, with workshops producing valuable content for future solutions.

    Nika Furlan

    Head of Marketing

    ,

    Intra Lighting

  • Excellent collaboration that provided employees with the opportunity to express their needs and expectations for the new space and professionally guided the process through which we aligned priorities.

    Martina Knavs

    Strategic Projects

    ,

    Jožef Štefan Insitute

  • AMZS has a rich tradition yet faces mobility challenges. Flexibility, agility, and innovation drive our mission. We grow as individuals and teams. To communicate our mission, we partnered with Sito, enabling us to overcome challenges and co-create efficient paths for new offers and upgrades.

    Lucija Sajevec

    CEO

    ,

    AMZS

  • Using Intuido, we were able to collect more than 300 insights in just 2 weeks, providing us with a better understanding of our users, their experiences and needs. The tool also enabled us to create organised and well-structured innovation guidelines that will help shape the development of our products and services in the future.

    Matija Torlak

    Product Director

    ,

    Plastika Skaza

  • Over the duration of the project, our company has grown from 4 to 14 employees and has entered the US and Australian markets. Thanks to KCDM, we started using service design and began systematically managing our design processes.

    Andraž Mihelin

    CEO

    ,

    Seascape

  • Design research process proved essential in defining innovation opportunities when developing our sailing boats. It is exciting to hear that this process is now available in digital form.

    Andraž Mihelin

    CEO

    ,

    Seascape

  • Throughout the entire process, we have learned from Sito that we cannot address and resolve different needs and requirements using the methods we have known and been accustomed to until now. This is a significant gain that will help us in the development of our entire business, not just in space planning.

    Marin Medak

    Founder

    ,

    Della Spina

The challenge

Our primary objective was to develop an ergonomic remote control unit that enhances safety and ease of use. In addition to ensuring good visibility and clarity of infographics, we focused on creating a comfortable grip and ensuring easy button accessibility, accommodating both left and right-handed users, with special attention given to usability while wearing protective gloves. In addition to user benefits, our design also prioritized in-house manufacturing and simplification of production for various remote variants.

Our approach

We kicked off the project by closely observing professionals using winches in real forest conditions to gain insight into desired outcomes. Countless mock-ups and models were created and tested to ensure that the remote control unit fit comfortably in a gloved worker's hand and was intuitive to navigate. Through iterative processes, we fine-tuned button placement, infographics, and casing design.

The Outcomes

With a focus on safe usage, we extended the top area of the remote unit to prevent accidental activation of buttons or switches when dropped or pressed from the side. Tampered edges provide a comfortable grip, and buttons are conveniently located where the user's control finger naturally rests.

The casing was designed to offer resilience against impacts and dirt while visually complementing Krpan’s existing design language. An integrated magnet and an oblique bottom surface allow the device to be easily attached to and removed from a metal surface.

Furthermore, we considered the manufacturing process and identified opportunities for small improvements to ensure easy disassembly and repairability. The upper casing can accommodate a range of inserts for the plastic injection mold, ensuring the standardisation of different models of the remote.

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What is the vision for your brand?

How do you see your industry going forward?

Get in touch to increase your product success rates and build a resilient, future-ready product portfolio with us:

What is the vision for your brand?

How do you see your industry going forward?

Get in touch to increase your product success rates and build a resilient, future-ready product portfolio with us: