Press Release
Magicbot Z1 Multifunctional Robot by Magiclab Receives the Platinum A' Design Award in Robotics, Automaton and Automation Design
The international grand jury of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition recognizes Magiclab for robotics, automaton and automation design
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 21, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ Magicbot Z1 Multifunctional Robot by Magiclab has been granted the Platinum A' Design Award in the Robotics, Automaton and Automation Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The award was conferred within the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition and was determined through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who evaluated anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
The Platinum A' Design Award Explained
The Platinum A' Design Award is recognized for honoring designs that stand at the forefront of creativity and innovation. It is the highest accolade bestowed by the A' Design Awards, acknowledging works that blend remarkable innovation with impactful societal contributions. These designs not only showcase exceptional artistic and technical proficiency but also highlight their creators' commitment to advancing the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology. Recipients of this award are celebrated for their role in shaping the aesthetics and trends of our time, contributing significantly to the enhancement of quality of life and promoting sustainable development.
More About Magicbot Z1 Multifunctional Robot
Magicbot Z1 is a humanoid robot designed for dance, artistic performance and technical development. High-torque joint modules and a metal structure support precise choreography. A modular forearm system allows the robot to be adapted to different tasks and environments. A sensor suite supports human interaction and research work. Exterior parts are made by precision metal die-casting and CNC machining, then sandblasted and anodized for scratch resistance. The robot is shipped folded in a case and is controlled through a mobile application.
About Magiclab
Led by industrial designer Ryan Axel, this practice specializes in the aesthetic, material, and experiential development of high-performance robotics. The work focuses on bridging advanced mechanical engineering with human-centric design, prioritizing modular architectures and durable material applications. By refining the integration of sensory systems and structural integrity, the practice provides researchers and developers with adaptable platforms for professional use. These contributions support the advancement of human-robot interaction and lower technical barriers through maintenance-free engineering solutions.
Award Record
This recognition makes Magiclab a winner of 1 A' Design Award.
About the A' Robotics, Automaton and Automation Design Award
The A' Robotics Design Award is an international robotics design competition recognizing good robotics designs by robotics designers and engineers worldwide. The competition is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to robotics designers, automation engineers, robotics brands and robot manufacturers from all countries. Entries typically include industrial robots, medical robots, agricultural robots, domestic robots, autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots. Awarded robotics designs are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/robotics
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/181546
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/181546
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!181546
- Laureate Profile: https://dezigners.org/d/379655
- Further Information from the Laureate: https://www.magiclab.top/en/z1
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
###
Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Magicbot Z1 Multifunctional Robot
- Function
- Multifunctional Robot
- Category
- Robotics, Automaton and Automation Design
- Discipline
- Service Design
- Industry
- Manufacturing and Innovation
- Colors
- Gainsboro, Light Gray, Silver, Dark Gray and Light Slate Gray
- Images
- 5
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Magiclab
- Country
- China
- Recognition
- Platinum A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2025 - 2026
- Design ID
- #181546
Credits
- Team
- Designer：Cao Yuchang, Designer：Liu Kang, Designer：Wang Yucheng, Technical Director：Chen Chunyu, Engineer：Gao Hai, Engineer：Lu Ziheng, Engineer：Tang Yujia, Product Manager：Chen Junjie and Project Manager：Sun Lin
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- Z1 is a versatile humanoid platform engineered for complex dance and artistic expression. Equipped with high-torque joint modules and a sturdy metal structure, it delivers the reliability and precision required for sophisticated choreography. To ensure seamless adaptation to diverse environments, Z1 integrates an innovative modular forearm architecture, achieving functional specialization in a cost-effective manner. Beyond its physical prowess, a rich sensor suite enables fluid human interaction and supports rigorous scientific research. This synergy of precision engineering and modularity makes Z1 a powerful tool for both creative performance and advanced development.
- Inspiration
- While robots increasingly assist human activities, traditional designs often struggle with the trade-off between specialization and versatility. Inspired by the need for a truly universal robotic platform, we developed the Z1. Our core motivation was to address the friction caused by changing operating environments, which typically requires costly, task-specific hardware. By integrating an innovative modular forearm architecture, the Z1 achieves seamless functional specialization.
- Research
- Our User-Centric Study aimed to build a versatile platform for pros. Through surveys and interviews with tech developers, results showed a demand for aesthetic autonomy and zero-maintenance. Insights led to a minimalist, neutral design with scratch-resistant surfaces. Most critically, our innovative modular forearms allow seamless adaptation to diverse environments. By integrating a full sensor suite, we've lowered development barriers and enhanced long-term reliability.
- Challenge
- The challenge lies in balancing the robot's technical sophistication with its overall aesthetic appeal. We didn't want a robot with comprehensive hardware specifications to appear overly complex or difficult to use. Therefore, we simplified the user experience by concealing intricate sensors and wiring within a clean, streamlined enclosure. This enables the robot to transition from the laboratory into everyday life.
- Realization and Technology
- To ensure industrial-grade reliability, Z1’s exterior components utilize precision metal die-casting integrated with high-tolerance CNC machining. This structural foundation is further refined through advanced surface treatments, including sandblasting and anodizing, which provide superior scratch resistance and a premium finish. This manufacturing approach delivers a highly durable, maintenance-free solution that withstands high-intensity operational stress while remaining cost-effective for large-scale deployment and modular upgrades.
- Operation and Interaction
- The Z1 robot is shipped fully folded inside an aviation case for transport and is ready to use upon unpacking—no assembly required. Press the switch on the quick-release battery to activate the robot. Users can connect to and control its movements via a mobile app, while professional users may opt for developer mode.
- Project Duration and Location
- This product entered development in Suzhou in December 2024, launched globally in July 2025, debuted at the CES exhibition in January 2026, and made its stage debut during the Spring Festival Gala in February 2026.
- Keywords
- robot, multi-functional, Artificial Intelligence, Humanoid robot, Modular design,.
