Dyson snaps up “solid-state” battery startup Sakti3
Dyson has snapped up an American battery technology startup, its first external acquisition, in a deal that's estimated to be worth around $90m (£58m).
The British engineering business has acquired Sakti3, a spin-off from the University of Michigan, to improve the battery life of its cordless vacuums.
Sakti3 is developing "solid-state" batteries which use solid lithium electrodes rather than flammable liquid, making them safer and more powerful'.
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The acquisition comes after Dyson paid $15m for an undisclosed stake in the company in March.
If we are to continue to create new and disruptive technology we must develop more, advanced core technologies," Sir James Dyson said.
"We have invested over £200m into the research and development of the Dyson digital motor, a technology that now powers our most successful machines. We will do the same with batteries. Sakti3 has developed a breakthrough in battery technology and together with Dyson we will make this technology a reality."