Third-year Bachelor of Industrial Design student Bradley Staite was recently announced as the winner of the 2019 Bombardier Recreational Products’ (BRP) International Design Competition. Humber was one of six participating design institutions across North America and Europe, and five Humber students were shortlisted to the top 20.

“This project was a special experience that provided me with an opportunity to submit work on an international stage and have my concept evaluated alongside students who are highly skilled and passionate about design,” says Staite.

Students were challenged to create an electric vehicle alternative for all terrains and roads except highways. The vehicle needed to have storage capacity for daily commutes, be easy to drive and be connected while appealing to Gen Y and Z.

Designed to provide individual mobility and address all seasonal conditions, Staite describes his vehicle, named Motum, as a vehicle that is “fun, efficient and comfortable” for adaptive Gen Y and Z users.

“The configurability was a strong point of Brad’s design. It was easily customized for each application – not a one-size-fits-all approach,” says Ken Cummings, professor in the Bachelor of Industrial Design program.

“The vehicle is easily adaptable to a variety of settings from mass transportation applications in Toronto to smaller fleets in resorts in the Laurentians,” Cummings says.

The final round of this competition typically takes place in Rovaniemi, Finland, where finalists would pitch their design concept in person. Due to COVID-19, this year’s finalists pitched via video conference.

Staite won over the judges with his concept of a three-wheeled vehicle.

He will receive a paid internship at BRP’s state-of-the-art Design & Innovation Center in Valcourt, Quebec, where he will get to make a full-size 3D prototype of his winning design.

This competition aligned perfectly with Staite’s passion for sustainability. After earning WWF Canada’s Living Planet Leader certification last year, Staite has vowed to prioritize environmental stewardship in his professional and academic career.

“Being part of this exclusive international design competition means a great deal to us," says Catherine Chong, professor in the Bachelor of Industrial Design program.

“To be recognized among the elite design programs speaks to the incredible work our students produce alongside the expertise of our faculty,” she says.

For more information on the Bachelor of Industrial Design program, visit https://appliedtechnology.humber.ca/programs/bachelor-of-industrial-design.html.