LONDON (REUTERS) – Dyson, best known for its revolutionary bagless vacuum cleaners, will enable customers to test its hairdryers, straighteners and stylers from the comfort of their home through virtual reality (VR).

The Dyson Demo VR has been built with the same visualisation and simulation technology used by the British firm’s engineers to prototype, test and develop new products and software.

Company founder and chief engineer James Dyson said VR was a way to improve people’s understanding of Dyson products.

“We have been harnessing powerful virtual reality technologies to engineer new products in our labs for many years, now we are applying those same technologies to re-invent how people explore our products,” he said.

Consumer goods companies are testing new online and virtual ways to interact with customers in anticipation of the creation of the metaverse, a VR concept that entered the mainstream last month when Facebook rebranded itself Meta.

Dyson said in a statement that its VR showroom was an extension of selling direct to consumers though its 318 stores and website and would be available through VR headset Oculus’ store from Friday.

E-commerce director Sean Newmarch said demonstration was an important part of showing how products worked and the Dyson Demo VR would in the future incorporate a fully integrated e-commerce solution and the ability to talk to a real salesman.

Mr Newmarch said it would launch with Dyson’s haircare products, with its floor care range set to follow.