Bronze Energy Products, Projects and Devices Design · 2024
Echos Electric Charging Station
- A' Design Award 2024 Bronze Winner in Energy Products, Projects and Devices Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: Riccardo Petruzzelli
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 30,192
- Verification code 6E991D708A · Verify this award
About Echos Electric Charging Station
Electric charging On-demand Station was born from the desire to provide a robotic, autonomous and on-demand charging experience that is therefore not bound by a fixed position. This makes charging flexible, simple and accessible at any time. The goal is to push the creator to design a product that will help users and that could represent the future of electric vehicle charging. Echos exceeds the standards of the traditional fixed charging station and opens up new scenarios. For Echos, geometric lines have also been designed.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Echos: electric charging on-demand station. It consists of a charging station, autonomous, mobile and on-demand that can be functional both for the user of an electric vehicle and for the urban context.
The idea stems from the desire to provide a robotic, autonomous and on-demand charging experience that is therefore not bound by a fixed position, all this making charging flexible, simple and accessible at any time. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Technical characteristics:
- Battery: Dimensions: L 363.3 mm x L 453.6 mm x H 210 mm (layout 8x2)
Weight: 2,09 Kg
Cell Type: Lithium Ferrophosphate
Number of cells: 32
Energy: 21,3 kwh
- Echos
Power supply: direct current (DC)
Dimensions: L 500 mm x L 900 mm x H 820 mm
Range: 280.8 Wh (about 20 Km)
Power supply: 3000 F supercapacitor
Motor: 250 W in front wheels
Connectors: Ccs Combo2 and chademo
Type of driving: autonomous
Charging type: wireless/ solar cells
Wheels: 10 inches with airless tires - Tags
- E-mobility, Electric car, Smart City, Decarbonisation, Smart Mobility, Autonomous Driving, On demand, Robot, Charging, Sustainability
- Production Technology
- The approach used is "Design Thinking": it researches and analyzes problems and intervenes in the processes that concern them, removing obstacles and finding new opportunities for improvement.
The materials were chosen according to Sustainability:
-Structure: aluminium, chosen for its many characteristics, one of which is recyclability.
-Shell: abs recycled, has strong toughness, impact and tensile strength. One of the transformation technologies of this material is thermoforming. - Design Challenge
- The most important difficulty faced during the design was to look for information and applications realized on autonomous vehicles and their technologies. The design has also led to define the use of technologies not yet tested but still being tested.
- Project Duration
- Echos is a project that emerged in the context of the realization of my master's thesis. The research phase began in November 2021 and ended in September 2022. The whole work was supervised by the architect Alessandra Rinaldi and the engineer Alberto Reatti, who gave me technical, aesthetic and design support. The discussion of the project took place during the graduation in September 2022 at the University of Florence, on the Design Campus of Calenzano.
- Operation Flow
- The user can request an Echos device via the app and can proceed with the charging request. The app estimates Echos arrival time based on the location of the nearest hub. The robot will use gps data to locate the vehicle, and once in place it can be connected and start charging the vehicle. Once the reloading process is complete, a notification will notify the user of the completion of the process, and Echos, once disconnected, can return autonomously to the nearest hub.
- Research
- The empirical research method focuses on observation and experimentation to understand and explain phenomena. The objectives of the research are to collect data and explain the behavior of users towards electric vehicles and the way to recharge them. The types of analysis used are: field analysis, an analysis of the electric vehicle market, a benchmark analysis and best practices. User profiles (personas) were also created that could use the product and service made.
- Inspiration
- The city of the future, is based on an innovative model with a "Smart" approach. One of the key issues for achieving sustainable urban development in smart cities is mobility. The project deals with analyzing this process of electrification, ie the progressive replacement of means of transport that use fossil fuels, with technologies that use electricity. The project aims to meet the need to ensure and expand the charging network not only in a capillary but also flexible.
Colors of Echos Electric Charging Station
Design Interview about Echos Electric Charging Station
The core behind this project lies in the field of electric mobility, a sector with a huge development potential that, in the coming years, promises to radically revolutionize the way we move daily.
The term "revolution" is appropriate because we are facing a paradigm shift in social structures, driven by the transition to electric mobility.
This transformation is not simply limited to replacing traditional vehicles with electric ones, but will also profoundly affect the architecture of our homes and our approach to energy.
Electric mobility, therefore, is not only a matter of transport, but represents a real change of mentality that permeates different aspects of our daily life.
The term "revolution" is appropriate because we are facing a paradigm shift in social structures, driven by the transition to electric mobility.
This transformation is not simply limited to replacing traditional vehicles with electric ones, but will also profoundly affect the architecture of our homes and our approach to energy.
Electric mobility, therefore, is not only a matter of transport, but represents a real change of mentality that permeates different aspects of our daily life.
The main objective is to satisfy a growing need found during the research: to guarantee and expand the charging network in a capillary and flexible way.
This would allow users to overcome the limitations related to the transition to electric vehicles and to support the ongoing electrification of the circulating car fleet.
The idea is to achieve a bold solution, which could even be innovative, by acting as a starting point for a series of crucial reflections regarding the switch to electric vehicles.
This would not only solve the current challenges, but could also pave the way for new ideas and opportunities in the field of sustainable mobility.
This would allow users to overcome the limitations related to the transition to electric vehicles and to support the ongoing electrification of the circulating car fleet.
The idea is to achieve a bold solution, which could even be innovative, by acting as a starting point for a series of crucial reflections regarding the switch to electric vehicles.
This would not only solve the current challenges, but could also pave the way for new ideas and opportunities in the field of sustainable mobility.
The time devoted to the design of this concept has been structured into several stages that constitute the overall process.
The research started in November 2021, followed by the actual design phase, which was based on the information collected during the previous phase.
During the design process, a preliminary vision of the concept was developed, which was subsequently refined both aesthetically and technically. This finishing work led to the conclusion of the entire process in September 2022.
The research started in November 2021, followed by the actual design phase, which was based on the information collected during the previous phase.
During the design process, a preliminary vision of the concept was developed, which was subsequently refined both aesthetically and technically. This finishing work led to the conclusion of the entire process in September 2022.
Echos is a project born in the context of the realization of my master’s thesis. During the whole period of work, I received the supervision of the architect Alessandra Rinaldi and the engineer Alberto Reatti, who provided me with technical, aesthetic and design support.
The discussion regarding the project took place during my graduation session, held in September 2022 at the Design Campus of Calenzano,
within the University of Florence.
The discussion regarding the project took place during my graduation session, held in September 2022 at the Design Campus of Calenzano,
within the University of Florence.
Research shows that there is widespread interest in electric vehicles across different age groups, involving different generational groups.
In particular, Millennials and Generation Z (Zoomer) show a positive propensity towards electric vehicles, suggesting a favorable trend towards this emerging technology.
It is important to consider that these younger generations play a key role in shaping the future of electric mobility,
therefore the electricity grid must be adequately prepared to support this growing demand.
On the other hand, even the Baby Boomer and Generation X show a growing propensity towards electric vehicles, especially after overcoming preconceptions and barriers related to various aspects of electric mobility. This more mature part of the population, once it has understood the advantages and opportunities offered by electric technology, it is open to embrace this form of sustainable transport.
These findings underline the importance of educating and informing the public about all the positive aspects and solutions available in the field of electric mobility.
In particular, Millennials and Generation Z (Zoomer) show a positive propensity towards electric vehicles, suggesting a favorable trend towards this emerging technology.
It is important to consider that these younger generations play a key role in shaping the future of electric mobility,
therefore the electricity grid must be adequately prepared to support this growing demand.
On the other hand, even the Baby Boomer and Generation X show a growing propensity towards electric vehicles, especially after overcoming preconceptions and barriers related to various aspects of electric mobility. This more mature part of the population, once it has understood the advantages and opportunities offered by electric technology, it is open to embrace this form of sustainable transport.
These findings underline the importance of educating and informing the public about all the positive aspects and solutions available in the field of electric mobility.
The name of this project, Echos, is the result of a creative process that involved a series of brainstorming sessions.
The goal was to find a name that captured the essence of the product itself. Echos is an acronym for "Electric Charging On Demand Station". This choice aimed to clearly reflect the nature and objective of the project: to provide an electric charging solution on demand, which is convenient and easily accessible for users.
Echos embodies the idea of an electric charging station ready to meet the needs of electric vehicles efficiently and timely.
The goal was to find a name that captured the essence of the product itself. Echos is an acronym for "Electric Charging On Demand Station". This choice aimed to clearly reflect the nature and objective of the project: to provide an electric charging solution on demand, which is convenient and easily accessible for users.
Echos embodies the idea of an electric charging station ready to meet the needs of electric vehicles efficiently and timely.
For the design of this concept, I used two main modeling software: Rhino and Autodesk Fusion 360.
Through these platforms, I developed the 3D model in all its components, ensuring a detailed and precise approach to design.
Next, to create realistic visualizations of the project, I used an advanced rendering software, Keyshot.
This tool allowed me to apply various textures and materials to the model, allowing me to get high quality renders that illustrate the design in an engaging and realistic way. Finally, regarding the graphics and presentation of the project, I used Adobe Illustrator. This software provided me with the tools needed to create eye-catching diagrams, charts and layouts, which helped to communicate the concept and features of my project clearly and effectively.
Through these platforms, I developed the 3D model in all its components, ensuring a detailed and precise approach to design.
Next, to create realistic visualizations of the project, I used an advanced rendering software, Keyshot.
This tool allowed me to apply various textures and materials to the model, allowing me to get high quality renders that illustrate the design in an engaging and realistic way. Finally, regarding the graphics and presentation of the project, I used Adobe Illustrator. This software provided me with the tools needed to create eye-catching diagrams, charts and layouts, which helped to communicate the concept and features of my project clearly and effectively.
Technology plays a crucial role in this project, being one of the pillars on which the operation of Echos is based.
The system design uses advanced devices that give Echos considerable operating autonomy.
As a technology and innovative device enthusiast, I believe it is vital to explore and exploit the full potential of these emerging technologies.
Echos is conceived with the aim of integrating the latest technological innovations in the field of electric mobility,
ensuring a state-of-the-art charging service in line with the needs of its users.
The system design uses advanced devices that give Echos considerable operating autonomy.
As a technology and innovative device enthusiast, I believe it is vital to explore and exploit the full potential of these emerging technologies.
Echos is conceived with the aim of integrating the latest technological innovations in the field of electric mobility,
ensuring a state-of-the-art charging service in line with the needs of its users.
I chose to participate in an international prestigious competition like the A' Design Award because I felt the desire to confront and test myself with this project. This work represents for me not only the conclusion of my academic career, but also the transition to the professional world.
Participating in a competition of this importance gives me the opportunity to gain international recognition and to compare myself with other professionals and creatives in the field. This experience not only allows me to showcase my skills and my work, but also to grow personally and professionally, opening new doors in my career path.
Participating in a competition of this importance gives me the opportunity to gain international recognition and to compare myself with other professionals and creatives in the field. This experience not only allows me to showcase my skills and my work, but also to grow personally and professionally, opening new doors in my career path.