Dyson has created headphones that include a purifying visor designed to help people avoid polluted air in cities. Called the Dyson Zone, the wearable device combines noise-cancelling over-ear headphones with a visor that sits just in front of the nose and mouth, delivering filtered air.
The British technology firm said the headphones have been created in response to growing concerns about air and sound pollution in urban areas. It cited World Health Organisation (WHO) figures estimating nine in 10 people globally breathe air that exceeds its guidelines on pollutant limits, while around 100 million people in Europe are said to be exposed to long-term noise exposure above its recommended level.
The headphones are the result of six years’ development and more than 500 prototypes, Dyson said. Compressors in each ear draw air through built-in filters and project two streams of purified air to the wearer’s nose and mouth through the visor.
