Two innovative designs from Beihang University, the ergonomic "Restbase Camp Napper" pillow and the cargo-transport "SkyBridge Unmanned Helicopter," have been honored with the Gold (Top 1%) and Silver (Top 3-5%) awards, respectively, at Italy’s internationally renowned A' Design Award & Competition.

These winning projects, a collaboration between Professor Wang Lijing’s team from the School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering and Professor Zhang Rong’s team from the School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, showcase groundbreaking advancements in human-centered design and aerial robotics.

The "Restbase Camp Napper" pillow redefines comfort for fragmented rest periods through scientifically optimized support. Leveraging anthropometric data from China’s GB/T 23461-2009 standard and pressure-distribution simulations, the team engineered a curvature profile that adapts to multiple sleeping postures. The design merges Professor Wang’s expertise in ergonomic precision with Professor Zhang’s contribution to sleek industrial aesthetics, resulting in a portable yet clinically supportive solution.

Inspired by Professor Wang’s patented marine rescue system (CN 117864346 B), the "SkyBridge Unmanned Helicopter" features a coaxial dual-rotor configuration, enhancing lift and stability in maritime missions. Its retrieval mechanism includes an integrated deployment platform, ensuring uncompromised flight performance. The design also incorporates biomechanical principles from marine life, reducing drag and improving efficiency.

Professor Zhang’s team contributed significantly to the helicopter’s aesthetic design, drawing inspiration from the drag-reducing structures of marine life. By combining biomechanics and fluid dynamics principles, they optimized the fuselage and rotor system. Constructed with advanced composite materials, the helicopter achieves a 32% weight reduction, boosting payload capacity and operational range in extreme conditions. Extensively tested at altitudes of 6,000 meters and in winds of 12 m/s, it excels in island logistics and storm rescues.

Both projects underscore Beihang University’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and innovation, successfully translating theoretical knowledge into practical applications that promise substantial impact in their respective fields. Through rigorous testing and optimization, these designs ensure reliability and effectiveness in real-world scenarios, demonstrating transformative potential in sleep comfort and unmanned aerial systems.

Editor: Han Xu