Dyson announces 'Dyson Zone', an air purifying headphone with noise canceling function developed over 6 years

Dyson, a home appliance maker known for vacuum cleaners and air purifiers, announced the air purifying headphones ' Dyson Zone ' with noise canceling function on March 30, 2022. Dyson's first wearable device is scheduled to appear in the fall of 2022, and its deployment in Japan is unknown at the time of writing the article.

Dyson Zone | Air-purifying headphones | Overview | Dyson

The Dyson Zone has a small motor built into the left and right ear cups, and a two-layer filter consisting of an electrostatic filter and an activated carbon filter, which sucks in the surrounding air.

Electrostatic filters capture particles from ultrafine particles, brake dust, industrial combustors, buildings, etc., and activated carbon filters are a source of air pollution such as NO ₂ (nitrogen dioxide) and SO ₂ (sulfur dioxide). It captures the gas that is being used.

The air that has been filtered and purified in the ear cup passes through a non-contact shield that covers the front of the face like a mask, and is discharged to the nose and mouth. Air purification has 4 modes of low, medium, high and automatic, and the automatic mode switches the purification speed in 3 stages of low, medium and high by the accelerometer installed inside.

Dyson Zone has been developed as an air pollution control device even before the global epidemic of the new coronavirus infection. Therefore, the shield part that covers the nose and mouth is non-contact type. It can be used with a mask and will also include a community face cover that seals around the mouth.

It is said that this air purification system utilizes the technologies that Dyson has cultivated so far, such as the air purification system, filters, and motors. In particular, it seems that it was difficult to make it small enough to fit in the ear cup of headphones.

A special mannequin was used for the Dyson Zone experiment. This mannequin can change the position of the ears and the shape of the head, and is connected to the artificial lung to reproduce human breathing.

In addition, Dyson Zone works not only as a wearable air purifier, but also as wireless headphones with Bluetooth connectivity. Equipped with an active noise canceling function, 'isolation mode' that shuts out environmental sounds, 'conversation mode' that allows you to talk with others by turning off the air purifying function, important sounds such as emergency sirens and information announcements A 'transparency mode' that amplifies is also installed. The non-contact shield can also be removed.

Dyson Zone is equipped with a high-performance neodymium electroacoustic system in each ear cup, has a wide playback frequency band, and is optimized to accurately reproduce the collected sound, as intended by musicians and creators. It is possible to enjoy the sound.

Since the motor for air purification is built in the ear cup, noise is a concern, but it seems that the motor drive noise is reduced by the original microphone array technology.

The ear cushions have been developed with an emphasis on comfort, head stability, and noise level reduction, and the overall design is inspired by the shape and design of the riding saddle. There seems to be.

Dyson states that it took six years to develop the Dyson Zone, and the details are published on the official website.

The model developed in 2016 with the concept of 'air purification on the move' is as follows. At this time, I was still packed with ideas that I had come up with, and I just attached a pipe that sucks air to the headphones.

In 2017, a user trial was held in Beijing for a more integrated design. At first glance, it looks like a headset.

In the 2018 model, an air purifying filter is built into the ear cup, changing from a headset-like style to a mask-like style that covers the entire front of the mouth.

The 2019 model is below. From here, it is said that the design was packed with a view to daily use so that it fits various face and head shapes.

2020 is below. The design is almost complete and the weight distribution is being adjusted by the placement of internal components.

In 2021, the air filtration system was further downsized. It seems that more than 500 prototypes have been made up to this shape.

Chief engineer Jake Dyson said, 'Air pollution is a global problem. It affects everywhere we go. For example, at home, at school, at work, on a trip, on foot, on a bicycle or in the public. This includes traveling by transportation. Dyson Zone Air Purifying Headphones purify the air you breathe in while traveling. Unlike ordinary masks, they use a high-performance filter and two small air pumps on your face. We deliver cleaner air without touching it. We are pleased to be able to provide clean air and clear, clean sound quality wherever we are, after a six-year development period. '