Rototilt has won a Red Dot Award and the iF Design Award 2023 for its RC Joysticks.
Rototilt Group manufactures tiltrotators, machine couplers, work tools and other accessories for the construction industry. The RC Joysticks are the first joystick designed and produced by the company.
“User experience was our top priority when we launched the project to develop our own joysticks. These awards are further proof that we are on the right track,” said Caroline Jonsson, Product Manager at Rototilt.
Through field testing carried out with both male and female machine operators, Rototilt’s objective has been to design a handle that offers ideal ergonomics, regardless of the operator’s gender or hand size.
“We are incredibly proud and grateful to have been awarded these distinctions,” Jonsson said. “Our primary aim is to be well received by our users, of course, but this is further evidence that we are an innovative company.”
RELATED: Rototilt invests in product assembly line at Brantford, Ontario facility
The joystick materials and design were carefully selected to deliver a high level of comfort and style. Rototilt worked in collaboration with product designers and incorporated methods such as 3D printing and modelling to bring the product to life.
“This has involved a well-thought-out design process, where the aim has been to create a well-functioning product that improves the working environment for the user,” Jonsson said. “Everything from button placement to surface quality and the choice of materials was scrutinized down to the smallest detail.”
The technology behind RC Joysticks prioritizes safety and scalability. Both the hardware and the software design comply with the ISO 13849 safety standard. The joysticks are also prepared for future work tools and applications.
“We have incorporated the potential to make adaptations in terms of the placement and function of buttons and rollers for controlling the tiltrotator and the machine,” said Engineer Mikael Häggström. “Work tools and areas of use are constantly evolving, and we want RC Joysticks to be technically prepared for future applications.”
The iF Product Design Award was introduced in 1954 and is annually bestowed by the iF International Forum Design. The award, which spans multiple disciplines, has more than 5,500 entries from about 60 countries each year.
Established in 1955, the Red Dot Design Award is a German international design prize presented by Red Dot GmbH & Co. KG. The Red Dot awards receive more than 15,000 entries from more than 70 countries.
