A pioneering air-conditioning concept developed by students from the Master of Design (MDes) Innovative Business Design programme at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design), in collaboration with Bosch Home Comfort Group APAC, has received the Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2026. Named airLingual, the concept reimagines indoor climate control through intuitive hand gestures, replacing conventional remotes, mobile apps and screens with a more seamless and accessible user experience guided by the philosophy of "Simple as Air".
Powered by local Edge AI, airLingual recognises everyday hand gestures and interprets sign language without additional setup, enhancing accessibility while safeguarding privacy through local data processing. The concept also incorporates a concealed LED display for visual feedback and motion-sensing technology capable of detecting falls or unusual postures to support user safety.
Developed through an industry-sponsored collaboration between PolyU Design and Bosch Home Comfort Group, the project challenged students to envision future residential air-conditioning and HVAC experiences for Generation Z users in Hong Kong and the wider Asia-Pacific region, combining user research, design innovation and industry mentorship.
Prof. Sylvia Liu, Assistant Dean and Specialism Leader of the master’s programme of PolyU Design, said: “We are delighted to see our students receive international recognition for their creativity and design excellence. This achievement reflects PolyU Design's strong emphasis on industry collaboration, enabling students to tackle real-world challenges and develop impactful design innovations.”
Lawrence Chu, Head of Industrial Design & UIUX (APAC), Bosch Home Comfort Group APAC, who is also an alumnus of the MDes programme, said: “airLingual provided a unique opportunity to learn from the next generation of designers. Their vision for more intuitive, human-centred interactions helped shape our exploration of a universal language for personalised comfort.”
The success of airLingual underscores PolyU Design's commitment to industry-engaged education, empowering students to transform research, strategic thinking and emerging technologies into innovative solutions with real-world impact. The project also demonstrates how PolyU Design graduates continue to contribute to industry-academia collaboration, with MDes alumnus Lawrence Chu serving as an industry mentor on the project.
Students: Liu Hap Hoi Hugo, Liu Jinxin Kimmy, Mao Xin Asta, MDes Innovative Business Design
Academic Supervisor: Prof. Benny Leong & Prof. Sylvia Liu
Collaborator: Bosch Home Comfort Group APAC
| Topics | Innovative Business Design MDes | MDes | Awards | Collaboration | PolyU Design Achievements |
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