Design Study: Vooper – Circular Vacuum Cleaner
Miele & Cie. KG
Design: Miele Design Center
The Vooper cordless vacuum cleaner concept developed at the Miele Design Center demonstrates that the brand’s quality and design requirements can be fulfilled in a product that rigorously meets the principles of the circular economy. It is also notable for its intuitive ease of use. Internally, the study has enabled a significant reduction of plastic use to around 15 % of the original amount. This concept highlights the resource-saving potential of circular design, sometimes in the most unexpected aspects of a product.
Award winner 2025 in the category »Konzept«»The Vooper design study demonstrates that premium quality can go hand in hand with true circularity. Its clear modular structure, ease of use, and significantly reduced material footprint reveal just how much potential there is for savings in circular product design — often in places that previously went unnoticed.«
Werner Aisslinger
Three questions for Andreas Enslin, Vice President Design Center
How did the idea for “Vooper” first come about?
At the Design Centre, we regularly imagine what the next ten years might bring, and sustainability is always at the heart of those ideas. The Vooper project started in 2020 to find out how circular thinking could influence both the design and build of a Miele product.
Were there any breakthrough moments in the course of development? What were the biggest obstacles you faced?
The main hurdle was convincing people inside the company about the circular approach. The pandemic meant household appliances were in demand, but supply shortages made things complicated. Our forward-looking vision sometimes clashed with the realities of the moment, and it wasn’t easy to get the resources we needed from specialist teams.
What are the next steps for your project as you look to the future?
The results and the strong response from industry have been extremely valuable. The resulting plastics material library is already delivering internal savings. Numerous enquiries and new contacts regarding sustainability and business models are leading to a gradual implementation of the concept and helping us make the right decisions.
