During a global launch event in Seoul, South Korea, James Dyson unveiled the Supersonic Nural hair dryer, Dyson's most intelligent dryer, with new sensor technology.
"If you can limit heat damage, you can get a healthier scalp and healthier hair. Our new Supersonic Nural has a time-of-flight sensor that recognises your head and reduces the heat as it gets close to your hair, preventing heat damage to both your scalp and your hair," said James Dyson, Founder and Chief Engineer.
"Innovation only comes from investing in research and development. Our obsession to truly understand the root of the problem continues as we build up some of the most sophisticated hair laboratories in the world."
Dyson's latest styling tool is equipped with a new scalp-protect mode. This mode uses a network of Nural sensors to automatically reduce heat and airflow as the tool approaches the head.
These sensors also improve the styling experience, enhance hair shine, and prevent heat damage.
New and improved attachments that cater to all hair types are equipped with attachment recognition, which learns a user's styling preferences and simplifies their routine for fast, healthy drying without extreme heat.
The scalp-protect mode protects scalp health. In this mode, heat is automatically reduced to the optimum temperature for scalp comfort and drying speed as the hair dryer gets closer to the hair and scalp.
A time-of-flight sensor enables this by projecting an invisible infrared beam to measure the distance between the machine and your hair.
When in Scalp Protect mode, the LED light colour automatically changes between cool blue or yellow (low heat), orange (medium heat), and red (high heat), depending on the distance the machine is from the head.
Attachment learning remembers your styling preferences and adapts to a user's go-to styling mode. It remembers the last-used heat and airflow settings for each styling attachment and automatically applies them the next time it is in use.
The Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer also has a motion-sensing accelerometer that deactivates the heater, decreasing airflow and noise when you are in between styling passes.
"From our research into the science of hair, we know that there is a connection between the quality of hair and a healthy scalp. The scalp tissue comprises different layers, with the outermost layer as a barrier against external stressors," said Shawn Lim, Head of Research, Dyson.
"However, moisture loss can occur when your scalp is damaged, a key factor in developing the scalp protect mode feature. This helps to maintain scalp moisture levels and allows for gentle drying."
A new Wave+Curl diffuser has been engineered for waves, curls and coils. This helps define and shape natural hair patterns across two modes.
In Dome mode, the attachment's large dome shape draws airflow away from the scalp for smoother, elongated waves with rounded ends. In Diffuse mode, the pronged insert delivers air deep into the roots for defined, voluminous curls and coils.
Complementing the new embedded sensors is a differentiated visual appeal: a clear end cap to show the technology within and bold new colour palettes—Ceramic Patina and Topaz or Vinca Blue and Topaz.
The Supersonic Nural hair dryer will be available in New Zealand starting on the 11th of April.
