Dyson, a company well-known for manufacturing and selling vacuum cleaners, has recently diversified its portfolio. After foraying into fans and a hairdryer, the company has launched Zone, a unique pair of headphones with an air vacuum for the mouth. The key goal of these headphones is to tackle the rising issue of air pollution.
Video Credit- https://www.dyson.com/wearables/dyson-zone-air-purifying-headphones/announcement
Cleaner Air
The noise-canceling headphones by Dyson
come with a fan, a motor, and air filters located in each ear cup. The air is
sucked through the filters and captures several pollutants and allergens like
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen, and brake dust.
After the air is purified, it is channeled
to the nose and mouth of a person via the visor. This visor is magnetically
attached to the bottom of the headphones and can be detached if needed.
Dyson claims that it is 97% effective at
getting clean air to the lungs.
Image Credit- https://www.dyson.com/wearables/dyson-zone-air-purifying-headphones/announcement
Purification Modes
The headphones come with four purification
modes, depending on whether users are walking down a street or just sitting at
home. The headphones will use sensors to track the user's breathing and
exertion, and then it will toggle between modes on its own.
The Useful Additions
Dyson's new headphones will also come with
an app that lets users specify their location and determine when the filter
needs to be replaced. The headphones will have a battery life of four hours in
low filtration mode. This may go as low as 1.5 hours in high filtration mode. It
also has a face covering that slots into the visor.
Tackling Air Pollution
Talking about the headphones, chief
engineer Jake Dyson stated, "Air pollution is a global problem - it
affects us everywhere we go. The Dyson Zone purifies the air you breathe on the
move. And unlike face masks, it delivers a plume of fresh air without touching
your face, using high-performance filters and two miniaturized air pumps."
This product was the first foray into audio
for Dyson engineers. The non-contact aspect was also a must for designers to
ensure no discomfort or irritation to the users.
Research Behind Dyson Zone
Dyson has admitted that the product has
been six years in the making. The process also included 500 prototypes.
Originally a snorkel-like mouthpiece was paired with a small backpack that
would have held a motor and inner workings of the device
Dyson said, "Unlike face masks, it
delivers a plume of fresh air without touching your face, using
high-performance filters and two miniaturized air pumps. After six years in
development, we're excited to deliver pure air and pure audio, anywhere."
Notable Features
Image Credit- https://www.dyson.com/wearables/dyson-zone-air-purifying-headphones/announcement
The key features of Dyson's own listed on
the website are
Ø Air purification:
The headphones come with a two-stage purification
system to filter city
fumes and pollutants.
Ø Contact-free visor
The contact-free visor ensures a user has a
comfortable breathing experience with no stuffiness.
Ø High-fidelity audio
The company also built its first premium
audio technology that delivers immersive high fidelity sound with advanced active
noise canceling to block unwanted disturbance.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60927032
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2022/03/30/dyson-zone-headphones-air-purifier/7215486001/
https://www.dyson.com/wearables/dyson-zone-air-purifying-headphones/announcement