Research shows that the concentration of dust mites on beds in Beijing is 3.72 times more than that in Shanghai and Guangzhou, says Kyle Toole, senior design engineer at Dyson. Photo: Courtesy of Dyson China
British technology company Dyson launched its 2017 report on interior dust conditions in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in Guangdong Province on August 31. The report published the findings of a study done by the China Home Electric Appliance Research Institute and Société Générale de Surveillance, a multinational company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland that provides inspection, verification, testing and certification services. They researched the amount and content of dust on the bedding, baby carriages and floors of 34 Beijing families.
"Chinese homes are commonly seen to have clean floors and seemingly neat and tidy beds, but many might be surprised that by investigating these homes further we found dust mites and bacteria hiding in abundance, invisible to the eye," said Dyson microbiologist Karen Hall.
Corresponding with the publication of the new study, Dyson showcased several of their cleaning products, including its cordless vacuums, which make up its core products in China. Dyson engineers have developed a range of Dyson cordless vacuums that tackle microscopic dust as small as PM0.3, which is smaller than a dust mite, removes allergens and capturing them in a bin.
"In Japan, they use tatami (straw matting), while in the US they use very deep pile carpet. We have to make sure our machines are suitable for those needs," said Tom Moody, head of communications for Dyson China. He added that as China is becoming one of Dyson's biggest markets, the company needs to not only understand the Chinese consumer's needs but also know the dust makeup and dust mix in mattresses in China.
Although the company was a late comer to the Chinese market in 2012, Dyson has taken off very quickly in the domestic home appliance industry. According to the company's statistics, in the last two years, it saw triple digit growth in the Chinese market, and China is expected to become one of its top five markets in the world this year.
Dyson is a technology-oriented company. It has 8,000 patents and patents pending globally. Invention and innovation have become the company's lifeblood, according to Moody. The company has invested 2.5 billion pounds ($3.26 billion) in new technology.
In May 2012 Dyson opened its Shanghai Technology Lab as part of its 2.5 billion pound expansion plan. Moody said that the facility has software and machine testing labs, allowing Dyson to bring together its hardware and software expertise for the localization of machines into China's unique digital eco-system. The facility it will also acts a base for researching new technology for Chinese consumers and their homes.
