James Dyson Award 2025 Winners Redefine Innovation in Sustainability and Health
The James Dyson Award has announced its 2025 global winners, celebrating two student inventions that combine innovation with impact. Each winner receives ₱2.16 million to help bring their ideas closer to real-world use.
Polish inventor Filip Budny won the Sustainability Award for WaterSense, an AI-powered device that monitors water quality in real time. Italian designer Alessandra Galli earned the Medical Award for OnCue, a smart keyboard designed to assist people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Now in its 20th year, the James Dyson Award has supported over 400 inventions from 28 countries, with ₱108 million awarded to young innovators.
A Smarter Way to Monitor Water
Water pollution continues to threaten communities worldwide. In the Philippines, 43% of local rivers remain polluted. WaterSense aims to change that. The device replaces manual water testing with automated, paper-based sensors powered by natural water currents.
It collects layered data from multiple depths, measuring indicators like pH, nitrates, and oxygen levels. Results are transmitted to an AI-driven online platform that predicts pollution up to 72 hours in advance. Currently tested across 20 sites in Poland, WaterSense helps local authorities respond before contamination spreads.
Empowering People with Parkinson’s
Typing is often difficult for those living with Parkinson’s due to tremors and freezing episodes. OnCue offers a solution through gentle vibrations and visual cues that guide rhythm and accuracy. It also predicts the next letter using AI, reducing typing errors.
The device connects via Bluetooth and works with most computers. Its split design lessens hand strain while allowing users to adjust vibration strength and lighting levels. Galli continues refining the product with support from medical experts and patients.
James Dyson praised both winners for their “practical and ingenious” designs. He said these inventions “address real-world problems through clever engineering and empathy.”
Both inventors plan to develop their projects further, aiming to bring affordable and accessible solutions to communities worldwide.
