A new type of vacuum cleaner with smaller physical strain was developed. The main targets were to realize an easy one-handed operation and to prevent the forward-bent postures. Usability testing was conducted, at the early stage of the development. At the last stage, the semi-final prototype was assessed compared to a current model. Most of the subjects showed changes in postures and transitions from both-handed to one-handed without any instructions during the operation of the prototype. The subjective preferences of the prototype were also reported. At this stage, an additional experiment with physiological assessment was also carried out. Ten healthy female subjects were participated and three conditions of floor were introduced. Electromyograms (EMGs) and heart rate (HR) were measured. The tested muscles were biceps brachii muscle, deltoid muscle (anterior, posterior), trapezius muscle (middle, upper), erector spinae muscles (left, right). In most conditions, the mean EMG amplitude caused was smaller during using the prototype than the current model. Significant differences were observed in several conditions. EMG results confirmed that the physical strain was reduced in the developed cleaner. HR showed no significant result.

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