It is some time now since the vacuum cleaner was invented but it triggered a revolution in how chores were done in the homes, and how much time those chores took. Everytime some new appliance or technology appeared in the home it made such a huge difference to how we
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has teamed up with iconic BBC television show Blue Peter to offer children the chance to design and engineer aspects of their very own music video for British pop-rock band New Hope Club. Winners will get to meet the band, as well as actively participate
It is some time now since the vacuum cleaner was invented but it triggered a revolution in how chores were done in the homes, and how much time those chores took. Everytime some new appliance or technology appeared in the home it made such a huge difference to how we live our lives. Well now we are seeing another home revolution with the introduction of the robot vacuum cleaner. It is so much more efficient to have help around the home We are so busy these days, we do not seem to stop moving. Keeping a clean and tidy home can seem such a burden when trying to keep on top of everything, and while hiring some help would be such a help, the cost soon makes it unsuitable for many households. A robot vacuum cleaner can pick up the slack for you. Especially if you have pets and children in your home which means the floors can be covered in dust and hair and crumbs within 5 minutes flat of the family being home. Simply set up the robot to go when you leave the house in the morning and by the time you are home it will have finished its job and you will have wonderfully clean floors when you walk through the door. It can even reach places you cannot, under beds and tables sweeping up the mess. The technology is smarter than you think Robot vacuum cleaners have been around a little while now, but the recent new developments are amazing. Take for example the iRobot Roomba, the world standard benchmark in robot vacuum cleaners. The new 800 and 900 series range have some fantastic features. It has iAdapt technology that helps the iRobot Roomba to learn about your home so it can work out the shortest and most efficient cleaning time. It also has cutting edge extractor brushes that can easily adapt to all types of floors, whether it is wood, parquet, pottery, rugs and carpets. It will carry out the best cleaning but without damaging more sensitive materials, and will even boost power on carpets to make sure it can pull up the dust. It can also be programmable 24/7 to suit your schedule, or even controlled via WiFi through a mobile phone app. And as you would expect the robot recognises your furniture to avoid crashes and damage to your belonging. The 895/896 model is particularly good for homes with pets, with excellent power from the lithium battery and central brush extractors are able to retain the smallest particles without getting blocked like a normal filter. The more recent models also include the ability to set up designated protection areas to avoid, for example if you have pet water bowls on the floor or a shoe area by your door. And of course the iRobot Roomba battery is well known for getting the best number of cleaning cycles before recharging so that you can be energy efficient as well as time efficient. There are robots for all budgets The great part about the robot vacuum cleaners available, is there are different types available to suit all home types and budgets. The 600 series for example has been around since 2012, and is more affordable than some of the latest models. And yet is has still seen many new improvements over the years. The new Roomba 696 for example also has a WiFi connection to be controlled by the iRobot Home mobile app, and also boasts a lithium battery. And you lose none of the efficiency and quality of cleaning. Do more of what you love instead Technology is making such a different to our lives, and the robot vacuum cleaner can do the same for you . Be sure to choose a company that will not only give you the best quality, but are also able to provide maintenance and parts for your new household appliance. Mirtux provide the best level of service for their customers, renowned for the best in parts, quality and service so be sure to choose your robot vacuum cleaner from a company that will truly look after you as a valued customer.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has teamed up with iconic BBC television show Blue Peter to offer children the chance to design and engineer aspects of their very own music video for British pop-rock band New Hope Club. Winners will get to meet the band, as well as actively participate in engineering the music video; from designing the storyboard for one of its key scenes to receiving mentorship from industry experts to perform the roles of lighting, video and production engineers on set. New Hope Club has been one of the UK’s most hotly-tipped bands since releasing their debut EP Welcome to the Club in May 2017. Fresh from headlining this summer’s CBBC Summer Social and supporting The Vamps on their recent world tour, eager fans will now get to join their idols, Blake, George and Reece, on set as they shoot the music video for a special exclusive festive song. Despite the breadth of sectors that the engineering industry supports, research by the IET[1] has shown that children view engineers in ‘Bob the Builder’ form, donning hard hats (44%), high vis jackets (40%), using protective eyewear and carrying a toolbox (37%). In reality, this couldn’t be further from the image of a 21st century engineer, working in sectors from aerospace to computing and music production to motorsports. This incredible competition is set to break down these stereotypes and misconceptions of engineering roles and show children just how thrilling the industry can be. Children aged 6-15 can enter the competition by submitting a storyboard for a short scene for the upcoming video where New Hope Club will be seen decorating their Christmas tree, and describing the key camera, lighting and design elements involved. Entrants are also asked to write about their favourite engineer and the impact they have had on the world. Elements of the winning storyboard will be incorporated into the final video, with the winner and two runners’ up joining New Hope Club on-set to receive mentorship and perform key roles in its production. Reece Bibby from New Hope Club said, “We’re incredibly excited and proud to be working with Blue Peter and the IET to offer children the chance to design and engineer our surprise Christmas song. Engineers play a key role when it comes to developing a music video and this is an incredible opportunity for fans to learn more about what these ingenious people do when on-set. We can’t wait to see what they come up with!” It is well documented that the UK faces a nationwide skills shortage. 203,000 people with engineering skills will be required each year to meet demand through to 2024, but it’s estimated that there will be an annual shortfall of 59,000 engineers and technicians to fill these roles[2]. Through initiatives like this competition, the Institution of Engineering and Technology is continuously working to excite and motivate young people about the industry and to inspire a new generation of engineering enthusiasts. Orla Murphy, former IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to see the variation that the engineering industry offers and to educate them about the impact and influence that engineers have on the world today. As an engineer and musician, I combined my two passions into a rewarding career at Jaguar Land Rover. Engineers support many of the world’s biggest industries, from computing and construction to sports and entertainment.” “Music video sets are usually reserved for artists and industry professionals only, so it is an enormous privilege to be able to offer young people this unrivalled access to help design, engineer and direct New Hope Club to bring their fantastic new Christmas track to life. I hope it inspires young minds to consider studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and the exciting possibilities engineering careers present.” The competition, ‘Lights, Camera, Action’, is open for entry from now until 12 noon on 3 October. The prize for the winning entry is the inclusion of the winning storyboard in the final music video, attendance at the video shoot with New Hope Club and mentorship and coaching from industry professionals to perform key engineering roles on-set. The winner will be joined by two runners’ up at the video shoot who will also experience and carry-out the roles of engineering professionals during the shoot. For more information on how to enter, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/bluepeter. New Hope Club will perform the song exclusively for the first time live on Blue Peter on 20 December 2018.
