Torchia: A Solar-Powered Lifesaver

Hakan Gürsu's Award-Winning Design Combines Lighting and Charging in One Portable Unit

What sets Torchia apart from other emergency devices is its ability to produce energy independently. Equipped with photovoltaic panels on four wings, it harnesses solar power to provide light and charge devices. Whether it's for outdoor activities or emergency situations like car accidents or natural disasters, Torchia proves to be a versatile tool. Its compact size, equivalent to an A3 paper, and robust design make it a portable lifesaver.

The technology behind Torchia is as impressive as its functionality. The device can be anchored in soft ground using its foldable stakes. It continuously charges itself using the photovoltaic panels, which are two-sided with reflective surfaces on the other side. Torchia is equipped with seven 3.5-watt LED lights, two 24-volt DC batteries, and two USB outputs. Users can choose between flashing or stable light options. ABS plastic, known for its toughness and impact resistance, is used as the main material.

Despite its high-tech features, Torchia is user-friendly. It charges during the day and can provide 6.5 hours of light at night. It can also charge an iPhone within 1.5 hours. The design process, completed in 2014 in Ankara, focused on ensuring the device's compactness, durability, and effectiveness in emergency situations. The Designnobis Team aimed for high performance and flexible use to ensure long-lasting utility.

Creating Torchia was not without challenges. The team had to consider the requirements of various scenarios and cases during emergencies. The goal was to design a product that could respond to a variety of problems and needs in outdoor use. Despite these challenges, Torchia emerged as a product that truly embodies the principles of design and innovation.

For its remarkable design and functionality, Torchia was awarded the Golden A' Energy Products, Projects and Devices Design Award in 2015. This prestigious award is given to outstanding creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, advance art, science, design, and technology, and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics. With Torchia, Hakan Gürsu has indeed created a design that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also life-saving.