Submitted
2025 Global Health Challenge

AirTrack

Team Leader
Will Hicks
AirTrack is a mobile and web-based solution that helps people reduce their exposure to air pollution by choosing cleaner routes when walking, running, or cycling. Using real-time air quality data, our system highlights healthier alternatives to high-pollution roads, empowering individuals to make safer travel decisions. Our technology combines high-resolution pollution modelling (updated hourly and at
What is the name of your organization?
Air Aware Labs
What is the name of your solution?
AirTrack
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Personalising air quality, for everyone
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
London, UK
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
GBR
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Air pollution is responsible for over 8 million premature deaths globally each year, with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases linked to long-term exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 and NO₂. Urban populations, especially those walking or cycling, are disproportionately exposed during daily commutes, unknowingly breathing in high concentrations of pollution along busy roads. In cities, pollution levels frequently exceed WHO guidelines, and individuals can inhale up to 60% of their daily pollution dose during just 20% of their day. Despite growing awareness of air quality, people lack accessible, real-time information to guide them towards healthier choices. Existing air quality apps typically report general conditions, not personalised exposure or route-specific insights. Our solution addresses this gap by offering low pollution routing powered by hyperlocal, real-time air quality data. It helps individuals reduce their exposure by identifying cleaner paths for walking, running, or cycling—supporting healthier behaviour and reducing pollution-related health risks. The problem is both local and global: over 90% of the world’s population breathes unhealthy air. Our solution empowers individuals while supporting public health systems facing rising costs from air pollution–related illness.
What is your solution?
AirTrack is a mobile and web-based solution that helps people reduce their exposure to air pollution by choosing cleaner routes when walking, running, or cycling. Using real-time air quality data, our system highlights healthier alternatives to high-pollution roads, empowering individuals to make safer travel decisions. Our technology combines high-resolution pollution modelling (updated hourly and at <20m spatial resolution) with GPS, personal activity data, and routing algorithms. We source air quality data from advanced models, satellite imagery, local sensors, and Google’s Environmental Intelligence API. The system then scores and compares potential routes based on estimated exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 and NO₂. Users can view air quality maps, track their personal exposure, and receive low-pollution alternatives for regular routes. The platform integrates with apps like Strava and will soon support public transport and school journeys. By tailoring recommendations to both the individual and the local air pollution conditions, AirTrack enables people to reduce pollution intake without disrupting their routines. The solution is live, tested in London, and designed to scale globally. Check out our various product demos on the links: https://www.youtube.com/@Air_Aware_Labs/shorts
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution serves urban residents—particularly walkers, runners, cyclists, parents, and commuters—who are regularly exposed to harmful air pollution without knowing it. Many live in cities where air quality data is available, but not actionable. These individuals often take routes that unknowingly expose them to high levels of PM2.5 and NO₂, contributing to increased risks of asthma, heart disease, and reduced cognitive function. We are particularly focused on underserved groups who are more vulnerable or lack access to personalised environmental health tools: – Parents with young children walking the school run – Pregnant women – People managing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions – Active commuters and outdoor exercisers Currently, this population is underserved by generic air quality apps that fail to provide personalised, real-time exposure data or practical alternatives. AirTrack gives users the ability to make healthier, lower-pollution choices in their daily lives—without needing to drastically change behaviour. By showing real-time low-exposure routes, tracking individual pollution exposure, and integrating with mobility and health platforms, our solution enables informed, proactive decisions that reduce health risks. In the long term, this empowers individuals, supports preventative health, and contributes to cleaner, more liveable cities.
Solution Team:
Will Hicks
Will Hicks
Chief Scientific Officer