AIrSynQ – a breath of fresh air at the beach
- Wits University
Guests at Blaauwberg Beach Hotel in Cape Town experience how Wits research powers a new AI air quality system.
Research developed at the University of the Witwatersrand is now improving air quality in the hotel, marking a key moment where academic innovation becomes real-world impact.
The hotel has adopted AIrSynQ – an artificial intelligence-powered system developed through years of Wits research – to monitor and improve indoor air quality. This makes it one of the first hotels in South Africa to use AI for this purpose.
AIrSynQ is the result of advanced sensing and data science research at Wits. It was spun out from the university’s Technology Innovation ecosystem and is co-owned by Wits Commercial Enterprise (Pty) Ltd.
“This is a proud example of Wits research becoming a commercial solution that solves everyday problems,” said Dominique Adams, Head of Marketing at AIrSynQ Systems. “The Blaauwberg Beach Hotel is leading the way in the hospitality industry. With AIrSynQ, they are not only protecting the well-being of their guests but also enhancing the effectiveness of conferences and events.”
The AIrSynQ system uses sensors combined with Internet of Things (IoT) technology and artificial intelligence. It continuously measures inhalable fine particles of differing sizes (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4, PM10), gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It also tracks temperature and humidity.
Data derived from these measurements are transmitted and analysed in real time, providing insights and alerts that help staff manage indoor environments proactively. It is increasingly recognised and acknowledged that air quality is central to the overall guest experience in high-quality hotels. Clean air supports comfort, health, productivity and overall well-being.
In rooms, elevated VOCs and CO₂ can disrupt rest and recovery, leaving guests feeling fatigued. Conference spaces face a similar challenge: high CO₂ levels are linked to reduced concentration and shorter attention spans. Poorly ventilated meeting spaces quickly lead to loss of effectiveness, thus impacting both participants and outcomes.
General Manager of the hotel, Philippe Marechal, said, “Hospitality today is not only about luxury and service, but also about creating a healthy and sustainable environment. AIrSynQ technology allows us to offer our guests and conference partners peace of mind, knowing that the spaces they use are optimised for both comfort and performance.”
Indoor air quality plays a major role in how guests feel and perform. Poor air can leave hotel guests feeling tired, and in conference spaces, high CO₂ levels are known to reduce focus and shorten attention spans. AIrSynQ helps tackle these challenges by continuously monitoring the environment and offering smart recommendations.
The rollout of the AIrSynQ technology is supported by the weather risk management business Africa Weather, acting as a distribution partner, with a strong footprint in the insurance, corporate, mining and industrial sectors. Through this partnership, AIrSynQ Systems can expand access to its solutions across South Africa and beyond, ensuring healthier spaces in a wide range of industries.
The partnership signals a broader shift in how indoor environments can be managed across sectors. AIrSynQ Systems is preparing to expand its technology into offices, schools, hospitals and industrial settings.
The goal is to create healthier spaces everywhere people live, work and gather.