Dyson announces plans for “air purifier” headphones

Dyson has announced a bizarre pair of headphones that combine noise-cancelling over-ear headphones with a pollution-fighting mask that filters the air you breathe.

Dyson claims it has invented the first wearable purifier, the Dyson Zone, that would capture city pollutants such as gas, allergies, and particulate matter while eliminating unwanted noise with sophisticated noise cancellation and clean, high-fidelity sound.

Dyson has yet to disclose the Dyson Zone's debut date or price, but interested parties may sign up for updates on the Dyson website.

Specifications haven't been published, but Dyson claims to have gone through 500 prototypes before arriving at the present design, which looks a lot like an oxygen mask from science fiction. While it may look somewhat pompous in style — the Zone has a lot of fascinating tech features.

In an Instagram caption Dyson said: "30 years of air filtration expertise pioneered into a wearable, high-end audio device. With a contact-free visor to supply a continuous stream of purified air to your nose and mouth. So, you can breathe cleaner air, anywhere."

According to the Dyson website, ANC is available in three distinct settings on the Zone. When the visor is covering the user's face and the headphones are in use, isolation mode is triggered, however when the visor is lowered, Conversation mode is activated, allowing the user to immediately engage in regular conversation.

Important noises like horns and sirens bypass ANC in transparency mode, allowing the user to be more aware of their surroundings.

Dyson further claims that the visor is meant to avoid making contact with your face while in use, and that it includes a 2-stage filtration system as well as "Dyson's first premium audio technology," which provides immersive, high-quality sound.

The visor, according to Dyson, has numerous settings dependent on your level of activity and is equipped with an accelerometer that can automatically modify airflow based on the user's current activity.

Jake Dyson, Chief Engineer says: “Air pollution is a global problem – it affects us everywhere we go. In our homes, at school, at work and as we travel, whether on foot, on a bike or by public or private transport. The Dyson Zone™ purifies the air you breathe on the move.

And unlike face masks, it delivers a plume of fresh air without touching your face, using high-performance filters and two miniaturised air pumps. After six years in development, we’re excited to deliver pure air and pure audio, anywhere.”

Watch the promo video for the Dyson Zone below.

For more information about these headphones, head over to Dyson's website.

Aneesa Ahmed is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter