Press Release
Ezio Police Drone by Chengjun Li Wins the A' Design Award in Security, Safety and Surveillance Products Design
Chengjun Li acknowledged for security, safety and surveillance products design by the international grand jury of the 2022 - 2023 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 20, 2023 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has confirmed the A' Design Award in the Security, Safety and Surveillance Products Design category for Ezio Police Drone by Chengjun Li, designed for Savannah College of Art and Design. The award was conferred within the 2022 - 2023 A' Design Award & Competition and was decided through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who assessed anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
What the A' Design Award Means
The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.
About Ezio Police Drone
Ezio is a police drone designed to support law enforcement officers during field operations. The vertical take-off and landing airframe is inspired by the beak and the streamlined body of an eagle. The shape gives Ezio a longer flight time and a higher load capacity than a standard quadcopter. The drone measures 1.55 meters in length and 2.5 meters in wingspan, with a maximum take-off weight of 55 kilograms. The body is made of high-density foam with carbon fiber reinforcement. Beyond line of sight operation allows the drone to be flown from a safe distance.
About Chengjun Li
Chengjun Li graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in industrial design (MFA) and is currently a PhD student at Politecnico di Milano, Italy. His research revolves around future material education in design during the post-industrial era, strongly emphasizing sustainable design and recycled materials. He firmly believes that designers of the future hold the responsibility not only to serve and please users but also to make a positive impact on the environment, society, and individuals.
Award Record
With this recognition, Chengjun Li is a winner of 1 A' Design Award.
About the A' Security, Safety and Surveillance Products Design Award
The A' Security Products Design Award is an international product design competition recognizing good security products by best designers and brands worldwide. The competition is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to security products designers, industrial designers, security equipment manufacturers and surveillance products manufacturers from all countries. Entries typically include CCTV cameras, alarm systems, access controls, biometric scanners, surveillance drones and security locks. Awarded security products designs are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/security-products
About A' Design Award & Competition
A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade organized annually since 2008. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The A' Design Award has a philanthropic mission to advance society through good design by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Entries are peer reviewed and anonymously evaluated by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. The A' Design Prize granted to eligible laureates includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, the upload of a work and the preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. Further information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://dezigners.org/141652
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/141652
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!141652
- Laureate Profile: https://dezigners.org/d/332981
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Ezio Police Drone
- Function
- Police Drone
- Category
- Security, Safety and Surveillance Products Design
- Discipline
- Industrial Design
- Industry
- Electronics & Appliances and Social Impact
- Colors
- Gainsboro, Dark Slate Gray, Gray, Dim Gray and White Smoke
- Images
- 5
- Client
- Savannah College of Art and Design
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Chengjun Li
- Country
- China
- Recognition
- A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2022 - 2023
- Design ID
- #141652
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- Ezio, the new and advanced police drone designed to help officers perform their duties more effectively and safely. This cutting-edge drone combines a bionic design with a vertical take-off and landing airframe, inspired by the eagle's fierce beak and streamlined body, resulting in superior endurance and load capacity compared to traditional quadcopters. With its extended flight time, quick response, and wide range of capabilities, Ezio is a valuable asset in various law enforcement activities, such as first response, first aid, aerial policing, and air tracking.
- Inspiration
- Policing is a high-risk job, with officers facing a danger that is four times higher than the average profession. As police air fleets turn to drones to replace expensive helicopters, traditional quadcopters fall short, providing a mere 30 minutes of flight time and zero load capacity, severely limiting their usefulness. To improve the efficiency of law enforcement officers and reduce safety risks, there is a need for a new solution. That's why I am developing a vertical take-off and landing drone specifically designed for police work. With its enhanced capabilities, this drone will be able to assist officers in solving crimes and provide vital support during critical situations.
- Research
- This project utilized mixed research and participatory design to develop a new generation of police drones for the purpose of facilitating the work of law enforcement officers and ensuring their safety. The research methodology comprised five distinct procedures: secondary research, literature review, case study, primary research (survey, expert interview, and video ethnography), and affinity diagram. The study participants included officers Nolan Connell and Blake Miller, who not only provided critical insights but also participated in user testing. Miller, in particular, is the commander of the aerial fleet in the Wylie Police Department.
- Challenge
- Designing Ezio, a police drone, posed several challenges, especially in terms of research and airframe design. To ensure compliance with FAA regulations, I had to interview pilots with FAA approval and obtain permission to interview police officers. Fortunately, the commander of the Wylie city air fleet was available for an interview. When creating the airframe, I took both aesthetics and aerodynamics into consideration and sought the expertise of DJI's drone designers and engineers to evaluate and advise on my design.
- Realization and Technology
- Crafted with high-density Epo Foam and carbon fiber reinforcement, the Ezio drone is optimized for minimal air drag and weight. To ensure the best results, we recommend the one-piece airframe of the drone to be produced using 3D printing technology. With its unique combination of cutting-edge materials and manufacturing techniques, the Ezio is designed to deliver superior performance in the field.
- Operation and Interaction
- Ezio's advanced technology includes Bvlos (Beyond Line of Sight) operation, allowing for remote piloting without the need for visual contact. This technology ensures that the operator can safely control the drone from a distance, eliminating the need for officers to remain in potentially dangerous areas to operate the device. By incorporating this feature, the Ezio drone enhances both the safety and effectiveness of police operations, enabling officers to carry out their duties more efficiently and with greater precision.
- Project Duration and Location
- The project started in September 2021 in Savannah, USA, and finished in May 2021 in Savannah. The Savannah College of Art and Design awarded this project with a Grade A for its excellence as a graduation design.
- Specifications
- The dimensions of the Ezio police drone are optimized for maximum performance in a compact package, with a length of 1.55 meters, a height of 0.8 meters, and a wingspan of 2.5 meters. The drone is designed to handle a maximum take-off weight of 55 kilograms, ensuring that it can carry a range of equipment needed for police operations. With its sleek and streamlined design, the Ezio drone is built for speed, agility, and versatility, making it a top-performing tool for law enforcement.
- Keywords
- Ezio, Police drones, Vtol UAVS, Police air tool, Biomimicry