SWEP: The Electronic Dustpan and Brush
SWEP is an electronic dustpan and brush which aims to simplify the lives of busy families across the UK. The device uses vacuum technology to remove dirt swept towards it from users’ floors.
The device was inspired by products commonly used in barber shops and hairdressers, with the intention of making these more suitable for home use. User research revealed four main areas where these products required improvements: the volume of the product, the unpredictability of the sensors, the constraints of power sources and the aesthetics of the current designs.
These pain points were solved through careful consideration of the airflow of the product, the integration of a fully expandable broom, the use of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to provide portable power and the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) to trigger the device.
The airflow of SWEP was designed to ensure a cleanly flowing path for the air, using smooth tube transitions and relevant seals to minimise vibrations and unwanted noise within the design.
The integrated broom uses internal locks to allow it to easily expand to the height of a full-sized broom, ensuring ergonomic comfort for users of all heights. The RFID tag, which triggers the device, is located within the broom. This is concealed within the design when it is collapsed, preventing the device from being triggered by the broom when it is within the device.
To reduce the environmental impact of SWEP, a bagless system was used, as well as two reusable HEPA grade filters which ensure only clean air is returned to users’ environments. These components of the design are easily cleaned and replaced within the device.
In conclusion, SWEP provides users with a simplified solution to cleaning floors, lessening the burdens of keeping a clean home for users across the nation.
Design work