James Dyson said “A machine is only beautiful when it works properly.” That’s why Dyson teams study user interactions, gait analysis – analysis of human motion – and in the case of the Dyson Zone™ noise-cancelling headphones, even headband clamp force, to ensure that our products work properly and comfortably.

As Dyson’s first wearable, the Dyson Zone made us rethink comfort. Detailed research into head and face geometries meant engineers could measure how the Dyson Zone™ noise-cancelling headphones would sit on and perform on different heads – informing the clamp force of the headband, the geometry, adjustability and materials of the visor and much more. The central cushion of the Dyson Zone headband is inspired by the weight distribution of horse’s saddle which typically curves over the horse’s spine, distributing the load to distribute weight over the sides of the head, rather than on the top.

The development of the ear cushions is important for three reasons: comfort, on-head stability and passive attenuation. Passive attenuation is the noise reduction achieved by simply wearing the product, without active noise cancellation. Dyson engineers dug deep into the properties of different foams from density to rate of compression and spring-back rate, all of which change the way pressure translates onto the head. Moulding around the ear increases head-to-cushion contact providing better sealing and inhibiting additional urban noise entering the ear. The cushion is purposefully flatter than conventional ear cushions and mirrors the angle of the ear on the head for optimal comfort.

Dyson introduced its first dedicated colours, materials and finishes team in 2016, based at its Hullavington Campus, UK. Working with the engineers behind the machines in the UK, Singapore and Malaysia, the team create colour schemes that complement the form and function of the product.  

We love testing, whether in labs or real homes, from London to Los Angeles. The more gruelling, the better, it’s why we drop our machines thousands of times in the development process. We drop, crush and bend the Dyson Zone headphones, subject its fabrics and finishes to chemical and physical abrasion, so we know it will withstand life on-the-go.

In the development of corded and cordless vacuum cleaners and Dyson hairstyling tools, our engineers worked with Oxford University’s Gait Lab to observe and measure the range of movements and resulting muscle stresses that are associated with using our products. This informs the placement of key technology elements to ensure the machine is balanced in use, avoiding cumbersome or uncomfortable usage.

Like any wireless headphone, the Dyson Zone is connected – but as well as providing real-time air quality and noise pollution data, the app maps your urban pollution exposure using GPS to visualize air pollution trends and hotspots throughout the day. As standard, the Dyson app can be used to control the device – volume, airflow mode etc. – as well as calculate remaining filter and battery life. In Auto mode, however, the machine will auto-adjust the purification speed based on your activity level to increase pure airflow to your nose and mouth, as needed, informed by an on-board accelerometer.

The Dyson app is central to Dyson’s mission to educate and empower individuals to take meaningful action and reduce pollution exposure. Since 2016, the Dyson app has been providing individuals with the data to understand the pollution around them, a crucial first step to making tangible change.