In a first-of-its-kind project for Dyson, engineers developed state-of-the-art sensing backpacks that were given to 250 children from five schools in London. Reworking existing sensing technology used in Dyson air purifiers, the engineers designed the portable air monitoring devices especially for the Breathe London study. The results of the study were published in October, following data examination from academics from King’s College London. Surprisingly, the children who walked, scooted or cycled to school were generally exposed to lower levels of pollution, compared with those who took the bus or went by car. Importantly, the King’s College London report stated that following the research, 35% of children are now taking a different route to school to lower their exposure to air pollution, having been empowered by the knowledge of air pollution levels.