Luxury home appliance manufacturer Dyson has invested US$410 million to open a research and development center in Singapore. The technology center is the UK-based company’s first international R&D endeavor.
Luxury home appliance manufacturer Dyson has invested US$410 million to open a research and development center in Singapore. The technology center is the UK-based company’s first international R&D endeavor.
The Singapore branch will hire experts in artificial intelligence, machine learning and software development, focusing on connected technology and intelligent machines. The company has about 1,100 R&D staff in the UK and plans to hike the number by 50% to fill the Singapore workforce.
Dyson expanded its research and manufacturing office in Malmesbury, UK in September 2016, and its international center will open later this year.
Singapore was chosen for its time difference from UK and engineering talent. Dyson wants to create a 24-hour R&D cycle, so that designers and engineers in UK can pass their works after one work-day, while the employees in Singapore will pick up the works as they start their day. The company hopes this work style will hasten the speed to develop new ideas.
Secondly, the company will be able to access some of the best engineers on the other side of the world and Singapore is famous for having powerful engineering skills. “Singapore understands the value and contribution that engineers make to society,” said James Dyson, the founder of Dyson.
The new R&D center will be located next to the university and Singapore General hospital, the heart of the country’s start-up community.
Dyson’s high-end product line currently includes humidifiers, fans, fan-heater hybrids, air purifiers, LED lamps, hairdryers and robot vacuums.