The James Dyson Award 2025 rewards two revolutionary inventions: OnCue, an intelligent keyboard for those with Parkinson’s, created by the Italian Alessandra Galli, and WaterSense, a real-time water monitoring system.
The James Dyson Award 2025an international competition dedicated to young inventors, has announced its two global winners: OnCuesmart keyboard designed to help people with Parkinson’s, and WaterSensedevice for autonomous monitoring of water quality.
Both projects receive an award of 36,000 euros and represent two complementary frontiers of innovation: health and the environment.
OnCue, the keyboard that gives voice to those with Parkinson’s
The Italian Alessandra Galliproduct designer graduated from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, she is the winner in the medical category. His invention, OnCue, was born with the aim of restablish digital autonomy for people affected by Parkinson’s diseasewhich involves over 400,000 patients in Italy.
OnCue is one smart keyboardequipped with tactile and visual feedback capable of reducing typing errors and managing tremors and motor blocks. Each key sends gentle vibrations that help maintain a constant rhythm while a system artificial intelligence predicts and illuminates subsequent letters to prevent hesitation.
The design, inspired by gaming keyboards, is divided into two sections to reduce fatigue and presents raised edges to improve accuracy. OnCue connects via Bluetooth and its battery lasts up to a week.
Gauls he explained that the award represents «a confirmation and a concrete opportunity to bring OnCue to the people who need it». After the win, he will work with doctors and patients to refine the prototype and develop software that can customize vibrations based on daily symptoms.
James Dyson commented: «Alessandra faced a real challenge with empathy and ingenuity. OnCue is a smart solution that helps people with Parkinson’s communicate independently.”
WaterSense, the digital guardian of rivers
The winner for sustainability is Philip BudnyPhD candidate in nanotechnology at the Warsaw University of Technology. His project, WaterSenseaims to revolutionize the monitoring of water quality in rivers and lakes, which today is often limited and fragmented.
The device uses recyclable paper sensors which measure more than 20 parameters, including pH, dissolved oxygen and nitrates, a different depths. The sensors are automatically replaced every day, like in a camera roll, and the data is sent to a online platform based on artificial intelligencecapable of predicting pollution events up to 72 hours in advance.
WaterSense is powered by natural water currents thanks to an integrated hydrogenerator, and transmits information in real time via mobile network. It is currently being tested in 20 locations in Polandbut Budny aims to expand the network Europe-wide by 2026.
«The James Dyson Award proves that environmental innovation is essential for the future of the planet”, Budny said.
Twenty years of innovation with the James Dyson Award
Arrived at twentieth editionthe James Dyson Award supported further 400 young inventors worldwide, distributing more than £1.5 million in prizes. This year they were received over 2,100 applications from 28 countries.
James Dyson, founder of the company of the same name, underlined the spirit of the award: «The James Dyson Award encourages those who think outside the box and tackle real problems with practical solutions. Alessandra and Filip perfectly represent this philosophy.”
The two winners then made a video call with Dyson, visible above YouTubewhich celebrates how creativity and technology can unite health, sustainability and hope.
