“When Dyson first released a cordless vacuum cleaner, there were doubts about why such an attempt should be made when corded vacuums were selling well. To introduce a new product, it is also necessary to break the mold of destroying what has been built up. The newly released Pencilback is a product that embodies Dyson’s philosophy and technology to propose a new standard in the vacuum cleaner market, having been designed from the ground up.”
Tom Moody, the Global President of Dyson Home, met with ChosunBiz on the 26th at a Dyson event in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, stating this. Unlike global electronics corporations such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, which add some hardware and software features while maintaining the framework of existing products when releasing new products, Moody emphasized that Dyson restarted product development from ‘the ground up’ for this product.
On this day, Dyson unveiled the industry’s slimmest cordless vacuum cleaner, the PencilVac Fluffy Con. With a body handle diameter of 38mm and weighing 1.8kg, it realizes the slimmest design at Dyson along with powerful suction. In particular, it is newly equipped with a hypermedium motor that spins 140,000 times per minute. This motor, only the size of a 500-won coin, removes more than 99% of fine dust on the floor with a powerful cleaning performance of 55AW.
He noted, “The PencilVac will be a product that presents a new standard to the market,” adding, “It is a synthesis of various technologies. The motor and design were redesigned from the beginning, and the electronic system was highly customized to Dyson’s system.” He also mentioned that various patents were secured during the product development process. Regarding the technological copying by Chinese corporations, he explained, “Innovation fundamentally needs to be protected,” and stated, “I believe other corporations will also strive and respond to meet Dyson’s standards.”
In particular, the aspect Dyson focused on for this product was enhancing powerful suction, cleaning convenience, and user-friendly design while reducing the weight of the product. Moody stated, “Achieving balance between weight reduction and performance presents many technical challenges; however, consumers most want lightweight products. Last year, the sales rate of cleaning products weighing less than 2 kilograms increased by more than double,” he explained.
The issue was that weight reduction could not compromise the performance of the vacuum cleaner. Moody elaborated that this was the impetus to restart the existing Dyson vacuum product design from scratch. He explained, “The trend towards lightweight products was an unavoidable one, but of course, it must meet the performance customers expect from Dyson,” and stated, “As a result of achieving all balances, 1.8kg became the optimal weight.”
Moody expressed confidence regarding the ‘copycats’ that pop up around the world every time Dyson releases a hit product. He emphasized, “While similar products may emerge after the PencilVac, there will be no products that can match it in performance, and Dyson will not rest on the Pencilback, continuing its innovation.”
He also showed particular interest in the Korean market. He said, “The Korean market is one that aligns very well with the technological standards pursued by Dyson,” adding, “Dyson’s core business areas are the vacuum cleaner and beauty sectors, and in Korea, the beauty market is very large, and vacuum cleaner users are also known for their meticulous habits.” He continued, “Dyson can also develop products more intelligently by compiling the characteristics exhibited by Korean customers while cleaning and global data.”
On this day, Dyson first unveiled its new vacuum cleaner PencilVac in Korea. The PencilVac is a vacuum cleaner that includes the motor, dustbin, and battery all in one. It also features a new head designed to prevent tangling of long hair.
The four cone brushes, which narrow at the end, push hair to both ends during cleaning, preventing hair from tangling in the brushes and aiding effective cleaning. Additionally, the nylon brushes extend to the side edges of the head, allowing for cleaning in wall corners or edges that are difficult to reach with standard vacuum cleaners. The body can lay flat to a minimum height of 95mm, allowing for cleaning under beds or low furniture.