Latest news with #JamesDyson
Man of Many
a day ago
- Business
- Man of Many
How Dyson's ‘Problem-First' Mindset Keeps it Ahead of the Game
By Dean Blake - News Published: 4 June 2025 |Last Updated: 3 June 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 8 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. When you think of innovative companies—I mean truly innovative companies—there are really only a few that spring to mind. Apple, with its reinvention of the consumer electronics space during the Steve Jobs era, and Amazon's shift from redefining how we sell books online to how we sell everything online being two massive examples of what it takes to be considered an innovator in today's markets: and yet, I would say that when it comes to hardware innovation, few brands can stand toe-to-toe with Dyson. Between re-imagining the vacuum cleaner into a new industry standard of bagless, cyclonic devices that run smoother and are easier to operate—with the recent announcement of the PencilVac taking that concept to its natural conclusion: a broom with a vacuum in the brush head—the English-born business has also taken aim at other analogous industries ripe for new ideas: hair dryers and straighteners, air purifiers, and even headphones. What is it that ties all these efforts together? Simply put: it's a focus on problem-solving embedded deep in the DNA of the company. Dyson founder Sir James Dyson working in his studio | Image: Dyson Problems first, solutions second When Sir James Dyson initially invented the business' foundational cyclonic vacuum technology back in 1991, it wasn't out of some great brainwave or realisation that this was the future of consumer vacuums. Rather, it was due to his own personal frustration with the then-industry standard. See, the likes of vacuum technology almost 30 years ago were far less user-friendly. At the time, each vacuum needed a plastic, single-use bag to be attached, which would be filled up with dust and debris as you cleaned and then thrown away—destined for landfill. As an engineer, Dyson had grown frustrated by the need to constantly buy and refit vacuum bags while cleaning his workstation, and realised the need for something better. Remembering his time at a saw mill, and the large cyclonic cleaner used to clean the space as people worked, Dyson set about finding a way to take something absolutely massive (literally industrial in scale) and scale it down for consumer use. 5,126 failed prototypes later, the company and product we know and love today was born. Necessity, they say, is the mother of all invention, and to say this invention revolutionised the vacuum space is an understatement: try and find a vacuum cleaner that requires a bag these days and you'll find it impossible, and it comes down to one thing. Dyson saw a problem, solved it, and sold the solution—and this is still how the company operates today. Sir James Dyson with the Dyson PencilVac, showcasing the motor | Image: Dean Blake/Man of Many ' exactly the same,' Sir James Dyson tells us. 'We're engineers and we want to develop technology and make better products using that technology, and that's exactly what we do today.' It is, in fact, the business' mission statement: a focus on solving the problems that others have ignored with technology and ingenuity. Part of that focus comes from the fact the business has never gone public. Rather than answer to a board of shareholders, Dyson (the company) really only answers to Dyson (the man) and its customers. 'We don't have a CEO that comes in to run the company and then leaves, and then a new CEO comes in and does things differently. It's the same old me with the same philosophy: not to get big or make money, but to make interesting products,' he says. The other key to Dyson's success is in having the space to create a culture of innovation within the company: fundamentally, it's a company-wide mindset that sets the business apart from its competition, Dyson's head of home Tom Moody explains. 'We have lots of creative and inventive people looking for new problems to solve, or creative ways they can apply themselves. I think that's what pushes us forward,' Moody says. ' has to solve a problem. In some places there might be a more clear 'here is what we want, go ahead and engineer it', but that's not the Dyson way. For us, it's more about 'here's what we discovered in our customers' homes', some frustrations they're facing, and giving our engineers the space to explore that. 'That gives them the latitude and license to create.' Dyson PencilVac | Image: Supplied Merging form and function You'd be forgiven for hearing all that and then thinking: well then why aren't Dyson's products over-engineered? In fact, Dyson's products often strike a near-perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality—delivering the performance and features you want from a vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, straightener, or air purification system, but in a package you're happy to showcase to friends and family. This largely comes from the company's focus on keeping all product staff involved in the product design process from the beginning. Moody notes that even at conceptual stages, engineers are often in contact with the brand's innovation department, as well as its design team, in order to ensure the company hits a balance between solving a problem and creating new ones. 'That ensures that we don't get to a stage later in a product's process where we say 'we've engineered a solution, but it's big, bulky, and it'd never be accepted by a customer',' he explains. 'We try to bake it in at an early stage during the design process.' And while it's rare, there are instances of the business putting the cart before the horse a little, and actively dictating the form of a product before the engineers have even had time to conceptualise a solution: case in point, the PencilVac. While Dyson made its name in miniaturising an industrial cyclonic cleaner into something customers could drag around their homes, its next bet is on cramming the concept of a vacuum into a simple tool: a broom. It's something Sir James Dyson has wanted to create for a while, but hadn't been able to crack the size-to-performance barrier: until now. Dyson PencilVac | Image: Supplied How did they do it? By throwing out their vacuum technology almost entirely, and leaning instead on the smaller motors used in the creation of their SuperSonic Hair Dryer products. While it's an upgraded and reinvented version of the V9 motor (now known as the Dyson Hyperdymium motor), it's fundamentally the same bit of tech used in the SuperSonic R, down to the size of the broom handle mimicking the size of the hair dryer exactly to ensure the motor functions as expected: 38 millimetres. No more, no less. 'James had long desired to create something that was in a very, very slim format and the size, 38 millimetres, is obviously very linked specifically to the enabling technology that we have,' Moody explains. 'We spent many years designing the V9 motor to try to get something to fit within that package, and so it's really an extension of that logic. It's something that's ergonomic and comfortable for our customers to use.' Dyson himself prefers it when engineering can dictate the solution, but admits it's sometimes preferable to have a more defined box to invent within. Necessity, again, is the mother of invention. 'Sometimes it's quite a good idea to have the form drive the function, rather than the other way around,' he says. 'With the PencilVac, the shape drove everything else because I wanted it to be like a broom. I wanted it to be very simple and easy to use. You can just grab it and there's no special grip or anything – it's just a completely natural tool. And that shape drove the technology.' Dyson PencilVac | Image: Supplied Keeping The Faith The PencilVac is, in a lot of ways, the final frontier for cleaning tech. It's hard to imagine a smaller vacuum still striking the right balance between usability and capability, but Sir Dyson already has eyes on smaller models: he just needs the tech to catch up. All of that doesn't mean anything if no one buys the products, though. While Dyson has entered a number of new categories, and intends to launch into more, it never bets on products being a huge success out of the gate. 'When you launch a new product you never know that you're going to sell it—I don't know that the PencilVac will sell well,' Dyson explains. 'It's all a risk, but if you stick to the principle that what you're trying to do is solve problems and make something easier to use, even if it's in a new category, you can make headway because you believe what you've done is a genuine improvement. 'You just have to have faith and hope it works.' Disclaimer: The author of this article, Dean Blake, was invited to test the Dyson PencilVac and talk to Sir James Dyson and Tom Moody at a Dyson event in Tokyo, Japan.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
New Dyson PencilVac vacuum does ‘what others can't do'
A British tech-giant has just unveiled the 'world's slimmest vacuum' - and it solves arguably one of the most annoying issues faced in every home. The Dyson PencilVac is just 38mm in diameter - about the size of a 20-cent coin - and has the first ever conical brush cleaner head that 'ejects hair' for easy disposal. The brand's CEO, James Dyson, recently announced the new feature on its newest addition to the brand's fleet of cordless vacuums at an event in Japan, describing the PencilVac as a device that was created to 'go where others can't'. 'We're talking about the problem of hair, as you can see, it wraps around the brush bar and is very difficult to clean, the only way to really get it off is to cut it,' the 78-year-old told a room full of tech-experts. 'So what we've developed are these cones that go into the cleaner head and the point is that it's a phenomenon, that hair wraps around here [points to the cone-shaped brush heads], migrates to the smaller end of the cone and just falls off, so you can then pick it up.' The secret to the tiny vac's abilities lies in the PencilVac's new 'fluffycones' cleaner head which features four rotating cones, two moving backwards and two moving forwards, that easily eject long hair and clean in all directions. Mr Dyson became visibly excited when demonstrating the device, describing it as 'floating on the floor' and providing an 'absolutely effortless' clean. 'I can go in any direction, sideways and backwards, it's just very, very easy,' he raved. 'The other thing we've done is expose the edges of the cleaner head so that you can go right up to the edge of the wall and clean up close because all that touches the wall are the soft, fluffy edges of the brush head.' Inside the stick handle is the brand's Dyson redeveloped Hyperdymium 140k motor which has somehow been made to teeny weeny, measuring at just 28mm, while still being able to provide the top notch suction the tech brand is famous for. 'The good thing about very small motors is they are very efficient, and of course, they use fewer materials,' he said. 'But the speed is interesting, because a Formula One car goes at about 16,000rpm [rotations per minute], a jet engine is about the same, but the PencilVac is 140,000rpm. 'This is a complete breakthrough.' The dirt that is sucked up by the PencilVac is also stored in the vacuum's thin handle, so considering Dyson are billing it as the 'smallest vacuum in the world', it's reasonable to assume it won't hold onto much. In order to combat this, the brand has created a new 'hygienic syringe bin ejection system' which claims to dump dirt deep into the bin in one simple motion. Its battery will last about 30 minutes, but unfortunately it will take about 4 hours of charging to fully charge. But Dyson said spare rechargeable battery packs can be purchased to help tackle this potential customer issue. While no date for the release of the 1.8kg vacuum in Australia has been shared, it is definitely coming Down Under, and is set to be priced at about $949. 'The ideal customer for the PencilVac is someone seeking quick, effective cleaning solutions without the bulk of traditional vacuum cleaners,' Nathan Lawson McLean, a senior design manager who worked on the product's launch, told 'It's perfect for urban dwellers with limited space, busy households that need frequent spot cleaning, and anyone who values design-led, functional tools. 'Whether you live in a compact apartment, have kids dropping crumbs constantly, or just appreciate having cutting-edge tech at your fingertips, the PencilVac is engineered for you.' Following the announcement, social media users have been quick to weigh in on the product, with many divided over the 'incredible' new vacuum. 'HOLY MOTHER OF DUST!!!' one excited consumer wrote on Instagram. 'This fixes the hair tangling problem,' another shared. However some reasoned the PencilVan wasn't a device that could clean a whole home, but instead something that could be used to quickly clean up small messes. 'I guess this is more a broom for smooth surfaces rather than a true vacuum with enough suction for carpets, etc?' one said. 'Now I have a perfect 'last minute' vacuum for all those quick little jobs,' another agreed.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Dyson Announces the World's Slimmest Vacuum Cleaner – A 38mm Dyson PencilVacTM
Today, Dyson unveiled the Dyson PencilVacTM, a lightweight cordless vacuum with only a 38mm diameter that is packed full of new technology. It is the only vacuum with four fluffy cones to detangle long hair. The new FluffyconesTM cleaner head ejects even long hair from the brush bar as you clean, meaning no more cutting or pulling hair out of tangled brush bars. The Dyson PencilVacTM has four cones in two brush bars, one behind the other, which rotate in opposite directions, causing the cleaner head to float across the floor, uniquely cleaning perfectly both forwards and backwards, as proven by the laser-like illumination both in front and behind. The cones project at the edges, giving unparalleled cleaning right to the skirting board. At just 1.8kg and 38mm in diameter, the Dyson PencilVacTM with its double brush bar is Dyson's most manoeuvrable vacuum, cleaning perfectly backwards or sideways, right up to the edges – all with minimum effort. James Dyson Founder of Dyson 'I have long wanted to make a vacuum of only 38mm diameter (the same as my latest hair dryer, the Supersonic rTM). But first, we needed to develop our most powerful Hyperdymium motor at only 28mm diameter to achieve such a slender machine. Then, a new dust separation and compaction system was developed. We have taken cleaner heads in a new direction with our four conical brush bars counter rotating, so that the head simply floats on the floor, giving excellent cleaning in any direction.' New FluffyconesTM cleaner head Detangles long hair and cleans right to the edge The new Dyson FluffyconesTM features four conical brush bars in two brush bars that eject hair as it is picked up, preventing hair from wrapping and tangling around the brush bar. The nylon bristles are specifically angled to further encourage hair migration while lifting fine dust and debris from your floors. The front brush bar cones rotate in one direction, while the rear ones rotate in the opposite direction, cleaning brilliantly in all directions for added ease and efficiency. Laser-like illumination both forwards and behind reveals invisible dust on hard floors on both strokes, while giving you visible proof that all dust has been removed. Uniquely, it has been designed so that the four fluffy brush bar cones protrude at the sides to clean right up to the edge, unlike any other cleaner. The world's slimmest vacuum1 Powered by the new Dyson HyperdymiumTM 140k motor The Dyson PencilVacTM is the world's slimmest vacuum1 at just 38mm in diameter, enabling it to clean in the narrowest gaps in the home. The new format also enables it to lay flat on the ground, flattening to just 95mm to clean under low furniture. The smallest of powerful motors at 28mm diameter had to be developed to be small enough to fit into the 38mm handle, while being fast enough to generate powerful suction. The result is the new HyperdymiumTM 140k motor – Dyson's smallest and fastest vacuum motor to date –with a diameter of just 28mm. In such a small package, every component had to be engineered to the micron to work more efficiently, for greater power density. It is 34% more power dense than its predecessor3, spinning at up to 140,000 RPM to generate 55AW of powerful suction4 on the Dyson PencilVacTM. John Churchill Chief Technology Officer at Dyson 'Engineering our smallest and fastest vacuum motor is no simple feat. It was more than miniaturising every piece of technology. It is a precise integration of motor design, electronics, software, and hardware, all working together seamlessly. At Dyson, we reimagine what engineering can do by refusing to accept trade-offs. We are uncompromising in our approach, from innovation and engineering to manufacturing. From a new motor, a new paradigm in cleaner heads, to a new separation system, the Dyson PencilVacTM represents our most advanced engineering to date.' New Dyson two-stage linear dust separation system The Dyson PencilVacTM is the first Dyson vacuum to use a new filtration system that effectively separates dust and debris from the airflow without causing filters to clog or cleaning performance to decline. It features our new two-stage linear dust separation system, which captures 99.99% of particles down to 0.3 microns2, so only cleaner air is expelled back into the home while ensuring there is no loss of suction, ensuring optimal performance with every clean. In addition, dust is compressed to maximise its bin capacity and reduce bin emptying frequency. Other key features of the Dyson PencilVacTM include: New air-compressing bin design compresses dust as it is separated from the airflow in the bin, so it holds five times more dust and debris than its 0.08L capacity 5 New hygienic syringe bin ejection system plunges dirt deep into the bin whilst wiping the shroud clean in the same motion Swappable battery pack for up to 60 minutes of fade-free suction Magnetic charging dock for quick and convenient grab-and-go access, with tool storage Two precision-engineered tools: Rotating combi-crevice tool to clean up high, down low, and anywhere in between, including awkward gaps Conical hair screw tool for ejecting hair fast, for use on carpets, sofas, mattresses, and stairs Dyson's first connected cordless vacuum Receive battery information and filter maintenance guidance for an enhanced cleaning experience The Dyson PencilVacTM is our first cordless vacuum that connects to the MyDysonTM app, offering owners more control and convenience than ever before. Through the app, owners can access additional settings and get real-time maintenance alerts, including when and how to clean the filter. It also provides step-by-step guidance on how to care for and get the most out of their Dyson vacuum. This enhances owners' experience while ensuring optimal performance over time.
Business Mayor
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Dyson confirms very smart new vacuum and it's like nothing we've seen before
Dyson is launching a wafer-thin new vacuum cleaner, and it's like nothing the UK firm has released before. It's called the PencilVac and aims to offer a lightweight way of sucking up the muck from your floors. Dyson is boasting that this will be the world's slimmest vacuum and will measure in at just 38mm in diameter. That should make it feel more like an old-fashioned broom than a high-tech carpet cleaner. And don't think that skinny stick design will mean poor power. Dyson says its upcoming dust buster will feature a Hyperdymium 140k motor which can spin at up to 140,000RPM to generate 55AW of powerful suction. To ensure you don't miss a spec of dirt, it also comes with Dyson's clever laser head, which guides you to the grime. There's also a clever double brush bar to help make this new machine Dyson's most manoeuvrable vacuum. This will help users clean perfectly backwards or sideways, right up to the edges – all with minimum effort. Because it's so thin, Dyson has also added a new air-compressing bin design to this device. This is able to compress the dust as it is separated from the airflow, and means the smaller collection bin can hold five times more dust and debris. The new PencilVac also gets a small display, smartphone connectivity and a new magnetic dock for refills. The only slight drawback of having such a thin vacuum is battery life, as this machine only lasts for around 30 minutes before needing a refill. You can swap the battery if you need more cleaning time, but it's certainly a compromise. The other thing to note is that this machine won't go on sale until 2026 and we're yet to see official pricing. 'I have long wanted to make a vacuum of only 38mm diameter (the same as my latest hair dryer, the Supersonic),' said James Dyson, Founder of Dyson. 'But first we needed to develop our most powerful Hyperdymium motor at only 28mm diameter to achieve such a slender machine. Then a new dust separation and compaction system was developed. We have taken cleaner heads in a new direction with our four conical brush bars counter rotating, so that the head simply floats on the floor, giving excellent cleaning in any direction.' And, speaking about the cleaner, John Churchill, Chief Technology Officer at Dyson added: 'Engineering our smallest and fastest vacuum motor is no simple feat. It was more than miniaturising every piece of technology. 'From a new motor, a new paradigm in cleaner heads, to a new separation system, the Dyson PencilVacTM represents our most advanced engineering to date.' READ SOURCE
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Dyson invents world's THINNEST vacuum that looks just like a broom – and skinny ‘PencilVac' has special ‘hair' trick too
Where's the bin? Dyson has a clever solution for that CLEAN SWEEP Dyson invents world's THINNEST vacuum that looks just like a broom – and skinny 'PencilVac' has special 'hair' trick too Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DYSON has invented a mind-bendingly thin vacuum cleaner that's as svelte as a broom. DYSON has invented a mind-bendingly thin vacuum cleaner that's as svelte as a broom. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Dyson says it has created the world's thinnest vacuum cleaner Credit: Dyson 8 The ultra-slim Dyson PencilVac has a breakthrough motor and bin design Credit: Dyson 8 The gadget looks just like a broom – but far more hi-tech Credit: Dyson Branded the 'PencilVac', Dyson's new cleaning tool promises to be the "world's slimmest vacuum". And it can even lay almost totally flat to the floor with an operating height of just under 10cm. The vacuum cleaner ditches the giant bin normally featured on Dyson products for a new system that compacts the dust into the PencilVac's slender body. "I have long wanted to make a vacuum of only 38mm diameter," said Sir James Dyson, the company boss. He explained that the thickness is important – it's the same as the Dyson's Supersonic hair dryer handle. Dyson continued: "But first we needed to develop our most powerful Hyperdymium motor at only 28mm diameter to achieve such a slender machine." HAIR WE GO! It also uses a bizarre new Fluffycones system that uses four cones split across two brush bars. This system works to eject long hair as you clean, so you don't have to pull or cut it out. 'If long hairs get wrapped around the cone, the spinning motion along with the specific angle of the cone causes the hair to tighten,' said Dyson's Sam Cole, Floorcare Design Manager, speaking to The Sun. 'Which results in the hair travelling down to the smaller end of the cone, before it is released as a small hairball.' We tried Dyson's new OnTrac headphones There's also a new two-stage dust separation system, which Dyson engineers say will capture 99.99% of particles (down to 0.3 microns). That means cleaner air is pumped back into your home – and should mean suction stays strong. The dust inside is compressed in real-time to get as much usage possible out of the small bin, and should mean you have to empty it less often. According to gadget-maker Dyson, the bin holds five times more dust and debris than its 0.08-litre capacity. 8 The device can eject hair as you vacuum so it doesn't get caught up in the system Credit: Dyson This works using a syringe "bin ejection" system that "plunges" the dirt deep into the bin – while also wiping the shroud clean at the same time. MOTOR RUNNING It's all powered by a new motor that's Dyson's smallest to date – as well as its fastest, spinning at 140,000rpm. This, Dyson says, makes it 35% more "power dense" than its predecessor, despite the shrunken size. 'Engineering our smallest and fastest vacuum motor is no simple feat. It was more than miniaturising every piece of technology," said Dyson tech chief John Churchill. 8 You can easily clean hard-to-reach places with the slimmed-down design – and then dispense the contents of the bin in seconds Credit: Dyson "It is a precise integration of motor design, electronics, software, and hardware, all working together seamlessly." IN CHARGE Dyson says it'll take about four hours to get a full charge. 8 The new design allows for lay-flat vacuuming, making it easy to get under the sofa Credit: Dyson DYSON PENCILVAC – THE TECH SPECS Here's what you need to know... Size: 38mm x 226mm x 1,160mm (W x L x H) Weight: 1.8 kilos Motor: Dyson Hyperdymium 140k motor Motor RPM: 140,000 Filtration: Up to 99.99% (dow to 0.l3 microns) Runtime: Up to 30 minutes Charge time: Four hours Cleaner Head: Fluffycones cleaner head (for detangling long hair and to-edge cleaning) Accessories: Rotating combi-crevice tool / conical hair screw for mattresses and stairs / magnetic floor-charging dock Picture Credit: Dyson And it'll run for 30 minutes – with a hot swappable battery pack to double that. You'll be able to see the remaining run-time on an LCD screen built into the device (as well as the power mode). Sadly there's no price yet, or an exact UK release date. But Dyson did say Brits would be able to get the PencilVac in 2026. 8 There's a built-in LCD display on the vacuum cleaner Credit: Dyson
