Volt

What it does

Volt is a compact appliance designed to craft fully customised energy drinks for fitness enthusiasts, forced to buy unsatisfying brews. Volt deliver hot, cold, or carbonated drinks, blending soluble powders such as creatine and coffee with flavour tablets.

Your inspiration

This project came from our investigation into the high consumption of caffeine among Gen Z. In particular, surveys highlight how current solutions for coffee and energy drinks do not fully meet users' needs for personalization, and health. Consumers are forced to choose between pre-packaged products, typically high in preservatives, and sugar - or inefficient home alternatives. By integrating multiple functionalities into a single compact device, the system allows users to choose quantities, ingredients, and carbonation levels. Additionally, it significantly reduces waste associated with the single-use packaging of industrial products.

How it works

 Volt mechanism is based on the principle of solubility. After powering on the device and selecting the appropriate profile, users can choose their desired drink. Ingredients are added through four dedicated slots on the top of the machine. For recipes that require a specific flavour (e.g., watermelon, or caramel), users can take the chosen flavour tablet from the front compartment, insert it into the dedicated flask, and screwed onto the machine. Once the setup is complete, users press the “GO” button to start the process. Soluble powders are automatically released into a central mixing channel, where they are exposed to a turbulent water flow- hot for coffee, and cold for energy drinks or pre-workout formulas - before being dispensed into the flask. If desired, the drink can also be carbonated. The carbonation lever lights up if ready to be pulled until the preferred level of fizziness is reached. The beverage is now ready, and the flask can be unscrewed.

Design process

Our design process began with an in-depth exploration of the habits of regular consumers of coffee and energy drinks, aiming to highlight both the gains and the pains within the current market. We identified the coffee machine as our “blue ocean” - the ideal product to reinterpret for this challenge - since it is often one of the first appliances purchased by Gen Z when moving in their own place. This iterative journey included early prototyping, user testing, and extensive research through questionnaires and focus groups, ultimately guiding us toward specific design choices and clearly defined “jobs to be done.” We chose to integrate four slots for soluble powders (e.g., vitamins, creatine, caffeine) to enhance the health benefits and customisation of beverages, responding directly to the needs of our users. Inspired by the dynamism of sports cars and the strength of gym environments, Volt speaks an energetic and bold design language, expressed through details that convey precision and power: the shifter to adjust carbonation and the intuitive refill system mirror high-quality mechanical gestures. The complexity of our process led us to uncover strong potential and desirability: Volt is designed for those who want the best - tailored to their needs and delivered with style.

How it is different

Volt reinterprets both the coffee machine and the concept of energy drinks by combining multiple technologies into a single smart system. Unlike existing competitors, which are limited to hot brews and offer low levels of customisation, Volt is an innovative solution that goes beyond coffee, with expanded versatility that enables both hot and cold preparations. It allows for precise ingredient dosing, offering a healthier alternative with low sugar content and no preservatives. Contrary to current alternatives, Volt reduce significantly the waste typically associated with canned drinks, thanks to a refillable model with a lower environmental impact.

Future plans

In a future where energy drinks take center stage, our goal is to promote conscious consumption by eliminating preservatives and enabling precise control over every ingredient. Volt will be a smart, space-saving alternative for those looking to reduce wasted cans while enjoying healthier beverages. Future developments will focus on integrating suggestions of ingredient combinations based on activity levels, and support daily routines through tailored beverage profiles. By continuously evolving with user needs, Volt will stay relevant in a fast-changing market, empowering a new generation to make more sustainable choices.

Awards

Volt has won the ADI Design Index award, a prestigious recognition that qualifies us for the 2026 Compasso d'Oro. Please note that the project is under embargo until the official announcement and award ceremony.