Welcome, Mom’s Choice readers, to another of our series of interviews with award-winners! Today we were able to get with medical professional Rongzhi Cui. In working to solve a problem for his eldest son, Rongzhi came up with his Mom’s Choice Award-winning ride-on toy for kids: Kidscleancar. Today, we’ll learn how and why it’s such a favorite with preschool kids and their parents. A multifunctional little car (that can also clean floors!), the Kidscleancar is built for indoor and outdoor use, excluding off-road or grassy terrains. Rongzhi’s thoughtful creation (with variable speeds so kids can choose their own) even includes an innovative suitcase design for easy portability.

MCA: Rongzhi, we’re so glad to get the chance to speak with you about this extraordinary invention of yours. But first, please tell us about yourself.

After studying at a Chinese medical school, I worked as a doctor and later became a forensic pathologist. However, I’ve always had a mind full of creative and quirky design ideas. In my free time, I enjoy sports and kayaking. Since becoming a father, I love spending time with my children, playing with them, and DIY-ing toys together.

MCA: Won’t you tell us about the process of founding your company and your current role?

I am the inventor of Kidscleancar and the founder of Henry’s Toy Box Inc.

The idea for Kidscleancar came from my eldest son, who has autism. He often immerses himself in his own world, but when I step into that world, he lights up with a smile and plays with me briefly. There was a time when he insisted on attaching a toy mop to his ride-on car and riding around the house. To join in his play, I decided to bring this strange idea to life. Using a 3D printer, I created a cleaning ride-on car for him, and to my surprise, he loved it. He rode it every day, and our interactions increased.

As a father, this change made me incredibly happy. This also inspired me to bring the product to market, sharing my child’s creativity and joy with other children. After going through the process of designing, prototyping, finding manufacturers, and continually refining the details over three years, Kidscleancar was finally launched in 2023. As a medical professional, this was my first time designing a product.

MCA: What a fascinating story. Just what needs were you addressing when creating these toys?

• Functionality: I wanted to combine the fun of riding with the practical function of cleaning the floor.
• Fun: Kidscleancar features an innovative stepless speed control, which mimics the real acceleration of a car.
• Portability: After an experience with my son’s ride-on toy running out of battery on an outing, I designed Kidscleancar with a pull-rod for easy transport, even when the battery is low. It weighs only 16 pounds, so children can easily pull it like a suitcase.
• Safety and Speed: Children love the thrill of speed, but safety is crucial. While Kidscleancar can go up to 5 mph, it also has a speed-limiting featurethat allows parents to adjust the speed based on the child’s age and abilities. This makes it suitable for children of different ages, and it’s a toy that can grow with them.
• Practicality: With a load capacity of 200 pounds, even parents can ride it. The car also includes storage space for kids to carry their belongings.

MCA: Can you share with us the research behind the unique features of this product?

Speed control is crucial for driving safety. I found that traditional ride-on cars for children often have fixed speeds, which can’t be adjusted to fit different needs. So, I developed a stepless speed system for Kidscleancar, allowing the speed to be adjusted freely between 0 and 5 mph. With a simple turn of a button, the car mimics the gradual acceleration of a real vehicle. Additionally, I designed a speed-limiting feature so parents can set the maximum speed to 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 mph, depending on their child’s age and driving ability. This makes it a toy that can grow with children while ensuring safety from a parent’s perspective.

MCA: What feedback have you received about these products?

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. People find it fun and

innovative, and kids love it. There’s also been a lot of interest in creating an adult version of the product, and many have expressed excitement about a potential vacuum cleaner version.

MCA: What are your next steps with your product line? Are there any other products you are developing?

We hope to bring our products to physical retail stores to reach more

customers offline, and we aim to expand our sales to more countries to satisfy our growing customer base. Currently, I do not have any new products in development. My focus is on building the Kidscleancar brand. However, once Kidscleancar matures as a product, I plan to bring some of my other creative ideas to life.

MCA: Rongzhi, thank you for a very interesting interview. We wish you the very best with Kidscleancar—and any other products you develop!