Eindhoven, The Netherlands - Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is delighted to have received a prestigious IDEA award for the Sonicare AirFloss.

The Philips Sonicare AirFloss has been awarded Bronze in the new bathroom, spas and wellness category of the International Design Excellence Awards 2012.

"We are particularly proud of this achievement for the Airfloss. This is worthy recognition for an outstanding innovative product. The designers were working with completely new technology to create a product that was ergonomic and intuitive to use as well as effective," says Sean Carney, Chief Design Officer.

From the outset, the design team working on the development of the Sonicare Airfloss knew that they were creating a revolution in oral care. The aim was to design the most user-friendly device that delivered the benefits offered by microburst technology. The most important design innovation of the product was the slim-angled nozzle, which offers significant functional enhancement. "We needed to develop a very specific shape that could be used intuitively to reach all the areas of the mouth," says Bart Massee, Senior Design Manager, Health and Wellness.

About Philips Sonicare Airfloss
Using the breakthrough innovation of microburst technology, Sonicare AirFloss is designed to make flossing easier, maximize plaque removal and improve gum health. It delivers a rapid burst of air and water droplets that effectively and gently clean between the teeth. Less than one teaspoon of water or mouthwash is needed to clean the whole mouth within a minute.

Read more about  designing the Airfloss.

Find out more about the Philips Sonicare Airfloss.
Download a high res image  here.

About the IDEA awards
With its roots reaching back to 1938 and founded in 1965, the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) is the world's oldest, largest, member-driven society for industrial design. For over 30 years the society has produced the renowned International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) program which fosters business and public understanding about the impact of industrial design on the quality of life and the economy. This is the premier international competition honoring design excellence in products, ecodesign, interaction design, packaging, strategy, research and concepts. In 2012 six new categories were introduced: digital design, social impact design, bathroom, spas and wellness, gardens and outdoors, kitchens, and living room and bedroom. The Henry Ford houses IDEA winners in its permanent collection to continue to tell the story of American innovation. Curve magazine, Core 77 and Yanko Design are IDEA 2012 media sponsors.  

For further information, please contact:
Annemieke Strous
Philips Design Communications
Tel: +31 (0)6 2952 1874
E-mail: Annemieke.Strous@philips.com
www.design.philips.com

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through meaningful innovation. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity." Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 122,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 22.6 billion in 2011, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare.www.philips.com/newscenter.

distributed by