Dyson spent six years developing a toothbrush with a camera, machine learning and a jet that shoots liquid between your teeth.
Less than a month after its launch, finding one to buy has become difficult.
The $499 Dyson CameraJet has disappeared from stores and online listings in several countries after customers reported problems including leaking water, charging failures and units that stopped working shortly after being used.
Dyson admits something went wrong with some of them; however, the exact issues haven’t been revealed.
The company says it identified a “single component issue” affecting a small number of early batches and has isolated those products.
Dyson has not identified the component, disclosed how many toothbrushes were affected or explained exactly what the fault causes.
It also insists the CameraJet hasn’t been recalled.
Instead, Dyson says strong global demand and efforts to increase production have caused shortages, with the toothbrush expected to return in the coming weeks.
The timing has raised questions.
CameraJet went on sale in the US on September 8. Reports of problems began appearing almost immediately, including water getting into the battery compartment.
Consumer Reports also reportedly had its review unit stop working less than a day after it was unboxed.
By the middle of September, the toothbrush was no longer available from Dyson in several major markets.
It’s an awkward start for one of the company’s most unusual products.
CameraJet uses a tiny camera and machine learning to identify gaps between teeth before firing a precision jet of liquid into them. Dyson says it developed the technology over six years and filed dozens of patents along the way.
For anyone who already bought one, Dyson says affected customers are being supported and refunds are available for impacted units.
For everyone else, the $499 toothbrush is expected to be back.
