Why people are excited about our FairVacuum Model 1

During the MakeLearnFest Leuven 2025, we presented our FairVacuum Model 1 for the very first time, to a completely new audience we had no prior relationship with. It was our first real-world test of how people would react to a eco-designed vacuum cleaner that fundamentally challenges the status quo of todays marketed vacuum cleaners and the e-waste they generate.

Model 1 is designed to reduce e-waste by harnessing the power of the maker community. At the same time we want to show a wide audience that circular vacuum design isn’t a dream for the future and is possible today.

The 4 main questions we wanted feedback on.

We wondered if people would actually consider using a vacuum that looks like a wooden box? Our Model 1 Wood prototype is designed exactly that way: a minimalist, honest, and functional design that performs like today’s premium brands, but is made mostly from CNC-cut wood.

We understand the model 1 is certainly not for everyone. But we wanted to find out who it IS for and discover if anyone gets excited about it.

Would people find it strange, charming, unbelievable, too simple, or refreshingly honest? We had no clue. To find out, we showed two prototypes side by side:

Model 1 Wood is a minimalistic, box-shaped version built largely from CNC-cut plywood, combined with some 3D-printed parts and standard components. This model is fully functional and works great.

Model 1 Slick is a more rounded, and what we assumed would be a more “modern-looking” and appealing version, made with a higher share of 3D-printed parts replacing much of the wood. This model is currently a visual prototype that we may make functional in the future, depending on people’s feedback.

With our prototypes on display we defined the following main questions we wanted feedback on:

Would people consider using the FairVacuum Model 1 as their main household vacuum cleaner?
Which Model 1 edition do people prefer, the wooden box or the rounded one?
Are missing features, like an automatic cable rewind system, deal-breakers?
Why did people want to win one? (We gave-away one of our first handmade Model 1 units.)

We didn’t keep count, but we estimate around 100 people stopped by our booth to hear our story and see our prototypes. Alongside all the informal feedback, 20 participants took the time to complete our market survey questionnaire that we had prepared. Here is what we learned….

Question 1: Would you use the FairVacuum Model 1 at home?

Everyone who took five minutes to complete our market survey answered YES to this question. That’s probably not too surprising because after hearing our story, they were already positively motivated to share their thoughts.

Here’s some of the unedited feedback we received through the form (in Dutch — right-click to translate if needed):

“Geweldig om de afvalberg zo te verkleinen. Met de paplepel meegekregen van mijn papa. Die alles terugmaakt of iets nieuws van maakt. Vind het ook een mooi strak model.:-).” – Katleen G.

“Simpel en weinig dat kan stuk gaan. Tegenwoordig moet je hopen dat je stofzuiger het meer dan 4-5 jaar volhoudt.” – Luca M.

“Zelf hou ik ook graag van producten die makkelijk uit elkaar te halen zijn en te repareren.” – Frank C.

“Ik vind het fijn om bewuster bezig te zijn met afval. en wil dit soort initiatieven uittesten en ondersteunen.” – Kris V.

“Leuk ontwerp, duurzaam en nuttig! Handig en draagbaar.” – Gertrude A.

Question 2: Which Model 1 edition would you prefer, Wood or Slick?

We assumed most people would prefer the more SLICK looking and rounded one. But we were wrong. Many didn’t mind the boxy wooden design at all, as long as it performed (sucked) properly. At the same time there was also an audience that preferred the rounder model, but it was not the majority as we expected.

This feedback truly surprised us. It confirmed that we can confidently move forward with the Wood Edition for now, to prove our point and tell our story. At the same time, we learned that some people really like the look-and-feel of the Slick edition.

Question 3: Are missing features, like an automatic cable rewind, deal-breakers?

FairVacuum Model 1 is still a work in progress and currently lacks some of the convenience features found in most commercial corded vacuums. The most notable one: an automatic cable rewind system.

We asked people whether any of these missing features would stop them from using the FairVacuum as their main household vacuum. In other words, would they be deal-breakers?

Most said: not really.

Good performance, reliability, and the ability to repair or modify mattered far more. Modern add-ons were nice-to-have, but not considered essential.

Question 4: Why did people want to win one?

We hosted a unique giveawaywith the chance to win the very first FairVacuum Model 1 Wood, proudly carrying Serial No. 00001! To take part, we asked a simple question: Why would you like to win a FairVacuum?

The answers were heartwarming and motivating:

“Ik ben zeer benieuwd naar het gebruik ervan en zou de mensen willen overtuigen om over te schakelen naar dit fantastisch product in de plaats van te leven in een wegwerp maatschappij”

“Om samen met mijn tiener te maken en te gebruiken.”

“Gewoon geweldig om zo de afvalberg te verkleinen! Geweldig initiatief en vooral heel Belgisch! ”

“Tof initiatief. Goed overdacht. Moet niet altijd van de grote spelers komen. Fijn dat er mensen zijn die nadenken over een toekomst met respect voor natuurlijke producten.”

“Ik wil dit graag testen en als hoofdstofzuiger gebruiken. Daarna kan ik het aanraden aan vrienden en kennissen.”

What we learned

This first public test confirmed a few important things for us:

1. People care about sustainability, but even more about functionality and fairness.

2. Repairability is cool again. Simplicity is not a weakness, it’s a strength.

3. Design honesty matters. A wooden box can be beautiful if it makes sense.

FairVacuum Model 1 isn’t just a working product, it’s a conversation starter about how things could be made differently. We left MakeLearnFest Leuven 2025 with full notebooks, big smiles, and a lot of renewed motivation.

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