AKO - inverse trike
Unique vehicle with a patented mechanical tilting and steering system.
Client
AKO Tech
Year
2016
Category
Industrial design
Ako: Redefining the Inverse Trike
Ako is a leaning inverse trike that blends the best qualities of cars and motorcycles into a single, thrilling experience.
While inverse trikes have been around for some time, Ako stands apart in the way it was envisioned and engineered. Most existing concepts either modify scooters for greater stability or strip down cars to make them more compact and intriguing.
Ako took a different path. It was designed and built by sportbike enthusiasts driven by a passion for technology, speed, and the pure, mechanical feeling of freedom. Their goal was to preserve the natural, intuitive experience of motorcycle riding — especially the dynamic art of leaning — by creating a fully mechanical countersteering system.
Evolution
The project continues to evolve and inspire to this day. Since the first model’s initial design, new team members have joined, and several prototypes and improvements have been developed over the years. While stylistic choices may change with time, the core principles of the construction remain.
Thanks to its leaning design, Ako allows riders to take corners much more aggressively than a conventional motorcycle, without the typical risks of high-side or low-side crashes. Even in the event of an accident, the driver is protected within a strong, enclosed frame — dramatically increasing safety without sacrificing the thrill.
While motorcycles offer unmatched excitement, they come with undeniable practical limitations — many of which can only be solved by adding a roof. Ako delivers that protection, while remaining far smaller, lighter, and more exhilarating than a traditional car.
The project began as a passion project between two engineers, Artūras Mikalauskas and Lukas Bučiauskas. Thanks to a feature by Designboom, they connected with designer Lukas Avėnas, who was then a student at the Vilnius Academy of Arts. With the guidance of instructor Šarūnas Šlektavičius, Ako became the centerpiece of Avėnas's graduation project.
The people
Designer Lukas Avėnas, professor and mentor Šarūnas Šlektavičius, and AKO creator and engineer Artūras Mikalauskas. Photo by Kipras Kublickas. 2016.
