Ruoyong Hong

I've always felt that design should bridge technology and humans in a harmonious manner. I started with urban planning and design, fascinated by how physical space connect people. But I saw technology reshaping human and machine interactions. Given my skills in data and understanding human behavior, it felt natural to dive into digital design where has the vast potential of digital interfaces to connect us – including human-to-human, human-to-machine, or even human-to-AI.

As a senior interaction designer and design lead at Robert Bosch, a global tech powerhouse, I oversee the development of critical projects, setting benchmarks for software and hardware integration within our automotive and industrial sectors. This work significantly contributes to optimizing our production processes and enhancing our offerings to clients. My commitment to excellence involves rigorous user testing and the construction of simulation environments to validate our designs. A prime example of this is setting new standards for driver-assistance technologies, which I have been instrumental in developing and validating in close partnership with our engineering teams. My role extends into strategic collaboration with research departments, steering the advancement of emerging technologies with human center perspective. Additionally, I take pride in fostering professional growth in the company by mentoring peers and sharing Bosch's latest innovations through structured coaching and educational initiatives.

I like designs that foster respectful and meaningful interactions between humans and tech. Like a good conversation between friends, the dialogue between people and machines should be enriching and seamlessly become a part of daily life.

Good design marries human needs with engineering feats. It stands at the crossroads of art and technology, built on robust decision logic, backed by research, and evolves into principles that guide future innovations.

My designs are clear and instructional, especially when crafting design guidelines. When I apply design to impactful real world challenge, they're friendly and precise. Ensuring users feel valued and cared for.

I follow double-diamond approach. It begins with deep learning about the subject – understanding users through research and expert interviews. After that, my team and I distill our findings into insights. This leads to a cycle of designing, prototyping, and testing – learning from our triumphs and stumbles. Every step adds value to the final design.

Engaging with local and global communities fuels my inspiration. Delivering talks also stimulates my thinking. Sharing insights often sparks fresh ideas that solitary thinking might miss.

I am currently deeply involved in the pioneering field of Autonomous Diving technology. The prospect of how users will engage and experience this technology in the near future is genuinely exhilarating. Additionally, the trend towards integrating human-centered design within the manufacturing industry, particularly when paired with emerging technologies such as AI and Augmented Reality, shows many fascinating opportunities for us as designers.

Thank you! This award underlines the passion and dedication behind my designs. It's an acknowledgment that my endeavors are shaping positive changes, and it propels me to reach even greater heights.

Wel AI is a AI-enpowered personal communication app. It rethinks the integration of AI in daily email tasks, facilitating analytical reading and using a conversational approach to email composition. By cultivating a personal writing style and adopting a social relationship library, Wel AI ensures both the user and AI benefit symbiotically. The design fosters a flexible and respectful collaboration between user and AI. It collaborates, ensuring the assistance provided is tailored, enhancing communication while preserving individuality. I chose this project for the awards because many new technologies, like this one, are trying to help people, but sometimes they can be too pushy and take over. With this design, I wanted to show that technology can assist without taking away our personal touch. I believe "Wel AI" is a good example of how designers like me can make technology work for us, not against us. Hopefully it can contribute to the discussion of the future design norm of AI.

The hardest part was figuring out how much help the AI should give in personal emails. Emails are personal, so we wanted the AI to assist without taking over. It's like having a friend who suggests ideas but doesn't speak for you. We wanted to make sure using the AI felt smooth and natural, without users having to jump between screens or click too many buttons. Another challenge was that we had some technical limits, so we couldn't show a real demo of how the AI would work. Despite these challenges, we were excited to create something new that blends AI into our daily lives smoothly.

I believe the award validates my approach and design ethos. It serves as a platform to connect with fellow designers and researchers, fostering collaborations and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Its ever-changing landscape. Its innate respect for human intuition. The constant encouragement to think outside the box

There are three significant shifts I can see. Firstly, AI will redefine content creation. Secondly, spatial computing, like AR/VR, will usher in new digital interaction forms. Lastly, as autonomous driving matures, it'll craft unique digital content consumption scenarios. Being on the front lines, I'm eager to shape these transformations positively for humanity.

I'm inspired every day by the wonderful people I meet, from my family and friends to colleagues and even strangers in the coffee shop. Everyone has their own unique way of seeing the world. By learning from them and their experiences, I get fresh ideas and perspectives. It's like having an endless library of ideas. It reminds me to always design things that make life better for people.

Thinking through making, learning by sharing