IDEC Engineering Insights #1: the dedicated worker in our Assist Wheel Drive promotional videos

In 2024, we created 2 new videos to promote the Assist Wheel Drive (AWD) system. Have you watched them yet?

IDEC HQ employee Takahiro Nakamoto-san played a lead role – the dedicated worker – in both videos. He’s also a member of the ez-Wheel product team.

We recently interviewed him about appearing in the videos and his experiences with the AWD system.

When I first heard about the plans for the videos, I was surprised! I’d become involved in the filming before I even realized.

But I didn’t mind – I was looking forward to it.

Of course. Honestly, I’ve done some other acting work before, which is why I was asked to take part. Even so, the atmosphere is always different when you visit a new location and work in a different way.

The director gave us suggestions for facial expressions, etc., and there were some retakes. Filming both videos took roughly 9 hours. You just don’t know if it’s going to work (look good on camera) until you give it a try.

I was already familiar with the system, and how simple it is to install and use. It’s easier than you might expect from looking at the kit. I think that level of useability leaves a big (positive) impression.

Trying to push a trolley with and without AWD fitted feels completely different. Demonstrating that difference was a focus for the videos, so I felt very aware of it during filming.

Promoting the system doesn’t feel like acting in a commercial. It’s genuinely easy to use – I didn’t have to pretend. I think it’s a product that many customers will find useful.

The more familiar you are with the system and the more times you install it, the quicker installation becomes. It also doesn’t take long to understand how AWD works.

As shown in the installation video, it can be fitted to a trolley in only 10 minutes, with some practice (and ideally by 2 people). In some cases it might take longer, but it isn’t hard to learn or do.

The positioning on the trolley for installation is important to get the most benefit out of the system. For example, on trolleys with fixed wheels it’s best to install the AWD wheel as close to the halfway point (in between the fixed wheels) as possible.

Alongside the already released videos, we’re working on a series of ‘DIY’ videos. They’re more specific installation guide videos with helpful methods and tips. Please watch them when they’re released!

As well as smoothly transporting heavy loads, it’s also highly effective for handling bulky items that are difficult to move manually.

I believe AWD is particularly useful for customers in the automotive, construction, and manufacturing industries. Companies in these areas often produce and work with large, heavy materials and parts that need to be moved around. Making transportation processes easier for workers is a clear benefit.

I visit customer work sites frequently and get direct feedback from them.

The most common comment I hear is: “It’s made our work so much easier.”

We’ve received many positive responses, and it’s clear that the product has had a great impact on their work.

We’re thinking even further into the future – how to reflect customer wants and needs in new ez-Wheel electric-powered wheels and systems from now on.

As one example, we’d like to try and develop a version with a remote control and wireless connectivity.

We also want to add more variations to the lineup, including options to fit different trolley dimensions, and to offer a wider range of transportation solutions.

“It could change your life in only 10 minutes!”

In other words: “Assist Wheel Drive can transform the way you work, making challenging tasks effortless and boosting both your efficiency and motivation.”