The billionaire inventor came up with CoVent after receiving a request from the UK government for a ventilator that was safe and effective
When British billionaire James Dyson relocated his global headquarters to Singapore last year, he made headlines for buying the most expensive penthouse in the country for $73.8 million. Now, the inventor, who is best known for creating the Dyson brand’s cordless vacuum cleaners and heat-controlled hair dryers, has thrust Singapore back in the international spotlight—this time for making a much-needed contribution to humanity’s fight against the global coronavirus pandemic.
It began when British prime minister Boris Johnson phoned Dyson in March just as the Covid-19 crisis was unfolding in the UK. Dyson immediately sprang into action to build a new model of ventilator. As the coronavirus attacks the patient’s respiratory system, large numbers of this life-saving equipment are urgently needed around the world to assist patients who encounter complications that result in breathing difficulties.
“The UK government requested a design for a ventilator that was safe, effective, efficient in conserving oxygen, easy to use, bed-mounted, portable and not needing a fixed air supply,” said Dyson in a memo to staff that was shared with the media. “The core challenge was how to design and deliver a new, sophisticated medical product in volume and in an extremely short space of time.”
The idea was to use the company’s expertise in components such as digital motors, battery packs, airflow technology and Hepa filters, to build medical-grade ventilators.
