Dyson’s latest innovation, the CameraJet smart toothbrush, has gained widespread attention for its integrated camera and advanced features, carrying a retail price of $699. Significant development work on the product was carried out in Singapore, where approximately 300 of the 661 engineers involved in its creation are based. Additionally, 43 inventors from Singapore are listed on 25 of the 38 patents filed for the device.

While Dyson is headquartered in Singapore and maintains a research facility in Malmesbury, England, the Singapore-based team played a crucial role in various stages of the CameraJet’s development. Tasks conducted at Dyson’s global headquarters in Singapore’s St James Power Station included acoustics testing to minimize vibration and noise, user trials to study consumer interaction, prototype construction using 3D printing, and engineering work on the device’s colors, materials, and finishes.

A team from Singapore also participated alongside global counterparts in unveiling the smart toothbrush at launch events held in Paris and Berlin in early September. Among them was engineer Tan Jee Chong, who contributed to the design of robotic systems that simulate human handling of the toothbrush. Demonstrations in Paris showcased robotic arms developed in Singapore to replicate realistic brushing motions on human teeth, providing attendees with a tactile understanding of the product’s operation beyond static displays.

Collaboration extended to the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Faculty of Dentistry, which worked with Dyson to develop a synthetic substance known as “proxy plaque.” This compound mimics the adhesive properties of natural dental plaque, enabling comprehensive testing of the toothbrush’s cleaning effectiveness without the need for extensive clinical trials on human subjects. Associate Professor Vinicius Rosa, who led the NUS research team, emphasized that while the Faculty was not directly involved in CameraJet’s development, the partnership combined academic knowledge of oral biofilms with Dyson’s engineering expertise, enhancing the overall research.

James Dyson, founder of the company, praised NUS’s Faculty of Dentistry as “brilliant” and acknowledged the advantage of having such a resource locally. He highlighted Singapore’s supportive environment for manufacturing and engineering talent as key factors for Dyson’s operations in the city-state, contrasting it with conditions in the UK.

Following the CameraJet launch on September 1, Dyson introduced additional home care products at an event in Berlin. These included three new robot vacuum models — the R2 Nurow Wash+Dry, R3 Nurow Spot+Scrub UV, and R1 Nurow Dry — as well as the W1 PencilWash + Dok cleaner and two HushJet air purifiers slated for release in October. Many of these products also benefited from Singapore-based development efforts.

Despite higher property and labor costs in Singapore compared to Britain, James Dyson expressed confidence in the value of maintaining a strong presence there. “We are a Singapore company. We’re an Asian company. We’re run from Singapore, and we’re proud of that,” he said, noting government support as an important component of the company’s success.

Both the Dyson CameraJet smart toothbrush and the R2 Nurow Wash+Dry robot vacuum can be purchased through Dyson’s retail outlets and e-commerce platforms such as Lazada, TikTok, and Shopee.