Dyson has unveiled their forthcoming WashG1, which is not a vacuum but their first power mop. As a longtime Dyson vacuum owner, I have a lot of gripes with their designs, but was pleased to see they've carried over an original design detail to this new product.

As the Dyson origin story goes, no manufacturer was interested in James Dyson's original design, forcing him to fund it himself. In particular they were put off by the clear collection bin; seeing the dirt, they reckoned, would put customers off.

The opposite turned out to be true. I consider the transparent bin the best part of the UX. You can see how much you've sucked up, providing a sense of accomplishment, and occasionally marvel (where the heck did this much dirt come from?). And of course, you know when the thing needs emptying.

Dyson's designers have wisely stuck with transparent tanks for the WashG1. The one up top is user-filled with clear water, which the microfiber scrubbers use to clean the floor. The dirty water produced is gathered and fills the second tank. I think this kind of visual feedback will please users.

They've also worked out a clever way—if it works—to separate any solids picked up, so that the dirty tank can be dumped into the sink without worrying about clogs. The solids tray must be emptied separately, but I think that's a worthwhile trade-off.

Here's how it works:

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The other power mops I see on the market do not offer tanks with Dyson's level of visibility. I think the feature will again prove to be a winner.