Finalist 2024

ENFORCR+ Ghost® - The Next-Gen Duty Glove

Australian Defence Apparel / Private Brands

ENFORCR+Ghost: Next-gen tactical duty glove with 360-degree cut protection and excellent weapon dexterity, supercharged by Graphex®.

Born from a Defence and Law-enforcement end-user requirement for a glove that would provide 360-degree cut protection and the dexterity required to operate weapons and entry tools, ENFORCR+Ghost: the next-gen tactical duty glove supercharged by Graphex® was created.

Design Brief

Traditional cut-protective gloves in Defence and Law Enforcement often sacrificed dexterity for protection, posing a significant risk. Made from materials like Kevlar, steel wire, and HPPE, these gloves were bulky, forcing personnel to choose between safety and agility. This compromise left hands vulnerable, particularly beyond the palms, which was critical when operating tools or weapon systems—where any hesitation could be life-threatening. The design brief aimed to solve this by merging advanced armoured textile technology with extreme dexterity. ADA’s goal was to create a glove that provided comprehensive cut protection while maintaining the flexibility needed for precise movements. The intended outcome was to enhance both safety and operational efficiency, ensuring personnel can perform their duties without compromising on either aspect.

This project was developed by:

Design Process

The ENFORCR+Ghost exemplifies design excellence by seamlessly blending form, function, safety, quality, and commercial viability into a single solution. Visually, the glove stands as a testament to subtlety and functionality. Its subdued colours integrate flawlessly into tactical environments, complementing rather than distracting from the wearer’s gear.

Engineered for peak performance, the ENFORCR+Ghost offers exceptional dexterity and protection. By integrating the highest cut rating (Level F) within the thinnest liner, it maximises efficiency without sacrificing comfort. The short wrist design enhances movement, while features like touchscreen compatibility and superior grip significantly elevate the user experience.

Adhering to rigorous safety standards, including EN 388:2016 +A1:2018 and AS/NZS 2161.3:2020 for cut protection and heat resistance, the glove ensures optimal safety for its users. Utilising cutting-edge materials such as Graphex® Cut Resistant yarn and micro sandy nitrile coating, the glove excels in construction quality, ensuring durability and longevity.

The glove represents exceptional value, enhancing ADA’s client organisations’ brand value while promising significant ROI through reduced replacement needs and increased operational efficiency. It is designed to meet both current and future market demands.

Leading innovation in Defence and Law Enforcement gear, the glove leverages advancements in yarn technology. Integrating carbon allotropes into Graphex® yarn epitomises performance consistency through cutting-edge nanotechnology. This proprietary process infuses carbon with select component fibres before extruding the resulting Graphex® yarn for liner knitting, representing a pioneering approach to material engineering.

This innovative yarn technology ensures the glove is not just a product but a milestone in product design practice. The carbon allotropes provide structural stability, resulting in a glove that is thinner, lighter, and stronger than any other cut-resistant glove on the market, without sacrificing maximum cut and abrasion resistance. By pushing the boundaries of material science and manufacturing processes, the ENFORCR+Ghost embodies a unique, imaginative solution within the industry.

Design Excellence

The ENFORCR+Ghost Glove sets a new standard in tactical protective gear, exceeding key criteria for good design, including functionality, accessibility, aesthetics, safety, quality, and sustainability. Surpassing the stringent EN 388:2016 +A1:2018 Abrasion Test with over 8000 cycles, this glove demonstrates exceptional durability, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimising environmental impact through reduced production demands.

User experience has been meticulously considered in the glove’s design, ensuring it meets the high-quality, fit-for-purpose requirements of diverse operational environments. This innovation caters to both general duty police officers and specialist tactical units, combining commercial success with societal benefits.

Key Features:

  • Graphex® Cut Resistant Yarn: Utilises cutting-edge yarn technology to achieve the highest cut rating (Level F) while maintaining a slim profile, providing unmatched protection without bulk.
  • Discreet Design: Subdued colours ensure compatibility with tactical operations and maintain a low profile in sensitive environments.
  • Short Wrist Construction: Enhances mobility and comfort, seamlessly integrating with wrist-worn devices like watches, promoting ease of movement.
  • Contact Heat Level 1 Protection: Certified for safe interaction with objects up to 100 degrees Celsius for 15 seconds, blending thermal safety with tactile functionality.
  • Micro Sandy Nitrile Coating: Offers exceptional grip in wet, oily, or dry conditions, improving tool handling and operational efficiency.
  • Touch Screen Compatibility: Enables seamless interaction with digital devices without compromising safety or requiring glove removal.
  • Strategic Reinforcement: Includes a reinforced pad between the thumb and forefinger, enhancing durability in high-wear areas, extending the glove’s lifespan and reliability during critical tasks.

This project exemplifies how innovative design can address complex challenges, setting a new benchmark for good design in Victoria, Australia, and internationally. It underscores the importance of investing in professional design, demonstrating the impactful combination of advanced materials, user-centric features, and sustainable practices in creating superior protective gear.

Design Innovation

The ENFORCR+Ghost glove stands at the forefront of innovation in Defence and Law Enforcement gear, propelled by groundbreaking advancements in yarn technology. At its core, the project leverages the science of integrating carbon allotropes into Graphex® yarn, a method that epitomizes performance consistency through cutting-edge nanotechnology.

This proprietary process, which expertly infuses carbon with select component fibres before extruding the resulting Graphex® yarn for liner knitting, represents a pioneering approach to material engineering. This innovative yarn technology ensures that the ENFORCR+Ghost glove is not just a product but a milestone in product design practice. The structural stability provided by the carbon allotropes yields a glove that is thinner, lighter, and stronger than any cut-resistant glove available on the market without sacrificing maximum cut and exceptional abrasion resistance.

The result is unparalleled dexterity, setting a new benchmark in the tactile functionality required in high-stakes environments. By pushing the boundaries of material science and manufacturing processes, the ENFORCR+Ghost glove embodies a unique, imaginative, and innovative solution within the industry. Its clever and original application of advanced yarn technology advances the Defence and Law Enforcement professions and redefines what is possible in product design.

Offering a groundbreaking value proposition, the glove demonstrates how visionary thinking and technological innovation can merge to create revolutionary protective gear that is responsive to its users’ needs.

Design Impact

The ENFORCR+Ghost glove project represents a paradigm shift in protective gear for Defence and Law Enforcement, with far-reaching impacts that promise to redefine industry standards and contribute positively to various stakeholders, including ADA’s clients such as Victoria Police, NSW Police, QLD Police, the Australian Defence Force, end-users, and the environment.

By leveraging carbon allotrope-infused Graphex® yarn, it introduces a glove that merges maximum cut resistance with unmatched dexterity, enhancing user safety and performance efficiency. This innovation improves the quality of life for those in high-risk roles and reduces environmental impact through enhanced durability and reduced waste.

This cutting-edge design technology signifies a leap forward in market positioning for ADA’s clients, showcasing a commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability. Such a distinctive product can boost market share, sales, and customer loyalty by meeting the demanding needs of modern operations with superior protective gear.

Furthermore, the ENFORCR+Ghost glove serves as a paragon of excellent product design, demonstrating the power of advanced materials science combined with user-centric design principles and collaboration between industry, end-users and subject matter experts. It stands to inspire positive industry change, promoting a greater demand for professional design that prioritises functionality, safety, and environmental responsibility.

By pushing the boundaries of protective gear design, this project builds on and enhances Victoria’s reputation for innovative and creative excellence.

Overall, the project exemplifies how thoughtful design can address complex challenges, setting a new industry standard and encouraging a broader appreciation for design’s role in creating a safer, more efficient, and sustainable future.

Product Design 2024 Finalists

Ezetrolley

Ezetrolley / Centre for Design Innovation / Swinburne University

M&M’s Display Ready Packaging

Birdstone Collective / Mars Wrigley

Wall Drinking aquaBUBBLER

aquaBUBBLER / Andrew Berry, Berry Design

Little Stackers

Little Stackers PTY LTD / Studio Periscope

That Sound Game

Natalie Delaney-John / Camille Jasson / Todd Beeby

OTHER MATTER™

OTHER MATTER™ / Boom Studios / Aēsop are the first retail partner

OneDock by microFleet

Designed by Outer Space Design / Commissioned by microFleet

Man Overboard Marina Alarm Systems

Paul Williams - Man Overboard Marina Alarm Systems Pty Ltd / Drini Malla - MOMAS Technologies / Eddie Yim - MOMAS Technologies

Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K

Blackmagic Design

b.box 2-in-1 Suction Plate

Bradley Sobol / Sylvain Amatoury / Meyanne Habjan / Lisa Edlund Tjernberg

Tan Track Clocks

City of Melbourne / Commissioned by the Bennelong Foundation / Letterbox - Typography/ Character Animation / Studiozeil - Motion Design / Draffin Street Furniture - Steel Work / Victorian Bluestone Quarries - Stone Masonry

bouncee Reusable Insulated Crates

ICEE Technology Group / Hamish Hingston / Derek Jefferson / Sergio de Almeida / Manivannan Balasubramaniam

PTC Tempo Thermal Cycler

Bio-Rad Laboratories / Cobalt Design

VolDrive Kinetic Energy Harvester

Highly Commended for Circular Design and Sustainability / On Vol Pty. Ltd. / Clinton Hopkins

Pegasus E Flying Car (VTOL)

Pegasus Aerospace Corporation / D+I Part of Capgemini

SaferSaw

Declan Scott

Cliterate

RMIT Industrial Design / Thrive Re-Hab / X-Product

The NON Stopper

Aaron Trotman / Todd Vanneste / Neuti Seo

Cabot’s EasyDeck

Cobalt Design / Cabot’s Premium Woodcare

Upzeez

Woodcraft Mobiliar Pty Ltd / Sean and Horn Pty Ltd / Shine Alterations

Joolca - GottaGo Modular Separating Toilet

Tricycle Developments / Joolca

vabsRider by ataraxyBSC

ataraxyBSC / Whistle Design Group Pty Ltd / Philippe Guichard 

Sleeptite Sirius Assistive Technology Bed

Sleeptite / Cameron van den Dungen

Blackmagic URSA Cine EVF

Blackmagic Design

Neonav® ECG Tip Location System

Navi Medical Technologies / D+I Part of Capgemini

Bintracker Mobi

Cobalt Design / Gurru Solutions

Kattsafe Rigid Stealth Rail System

Tricycle Developments / Kattsafe