Category: Tech News

Innovative delivery management platform Scurri launches new European headquarters in Wexford

Next generation delivery management software company Scurri, has today, officially launched its new state of the art European headquarters. The Wexford born multi-million euro platform has opened a brand new operational base for over 100 workers with plans to recruit for 40 new roles across Sales, Marketing, Support and Engineering over the next 24 months. Based in the heart of Wexford Town (on Selskar Street), Scurri is an innovative delivery management platform that connects and optimises the entire online ordering, shipping and delivery process for retailers.

Following the company’s launch in 2010, hugely successful enterprise Scurri has grown its global footprint, processing over €10.5 billion worth of shipments worldwide in 2023 alone. To date, it has raised €15.3 million in investment through Gresham House, ACT & Episode, Enterprise Ireland and private angel investors.

Scurri’s new headquarters will support both the planned expansion and staff across the UK and Europe. The company has become a leading player in the delivery management software space across Ireland, the UK and now Europe, supporting notable European eCommerce retailers.

The new state of the art headquarters designed by Wexford architect Dermot Troy, is based around enhancing team collaboration. Its unique design features a modern central spine and a cutting edge glass interface which aims to encourage employees to build meaningful connections, while maintaining openness with the wider Wexford community. Other key features include an on-site gym, canteen, rooftop terrace and ‘chill and connect’ rooms for staff. Surri’s central location also ensures employees can walk everywhere as part of the company’s wider mission to scale sustainably whilst enabling workers to perform at their best and helping to build those all important social connections.

Another highlight of the new headquarters is its ‘Art in the Lobby’ initiative, which invites local artists to showcase their creations each month. Scurri is also an avid supporter of the South East tech community, recently sponsoring and hosting the re-launch of the Wexford Tech Meetup.

With a continued focus on innovation, research and development, Scurri also recently launched ‘Scurri Track Plus’ to cater for an increase in demand for post purchase experience software. This, along with Scurri Connect for delivery management, gives retailers control over their end-to-end customer delivery experience.

Speaking about the launch of its new headquarters which will act as its global base, Rory O’Connor, CEO and founder of Scurri said: “The opening of the office is another milestone in Scurri’s journey, which gets more and more exciting every day – particularly as Scurri has just completed a very successful 2024 trading period with over 100 million deliveries powered by Scurri technology. As we remain firmly focused on expansion and growth in 2024, it’s very important to create a business base that gives our team the best quality of life possible, and Wexford provides the ideal location to make that work-life balance easier to achieve. We’re very proud to have opened our new HQ in our hometown of Wexford”

Speaking at the launch AnnaMarie Turley, Manager, Entrepreneurship and High Potential Start-Ups with Enterprise Ireland said: “Enterprise Ireland is proud to have a long, fruitful relationship with the team at Scurri and we are delighted to see these remarkable headquarters officially opened today.  We look forward to working with Scurri on its ambitious expansion plans into the future as it builds a truly global brand from the heart of Wexford Town.”

Menta exhibits at Chiplet Summit and presents its new scalable chiplet platform, MOSAICS-LP

Menta, a deeptech company specializing in semiconductor design will attend Chiplet Summit to present MOSAICS-LP – an industrial platform specifically designed for the development of heterogeneous chips, using a universal chassis and a catalog of third-party chiplets . This platform is supported by the French government and the CEA-List, a research center specializing in intelligent digital systems .

The Second Annual Chiplet Summit is a pivotal gathering for chip designers and market players, providing insights into optimizing chiplet performance in speed, scalability, power efficiency, and flexibility. The summit facilitates networking, expert interactions, and exposure to a wide array of products and services, enabling participants to stay abreast of the latest advancements in chiplet technology.

Menta, is has pioneer in programmable logic solutions and will share a booth with its partner CEA-List .

In the current semiconductor manufacturing environment , conventional monolithic solutions give rise to issues related to energy consumption, scalability, and cost. MOSAICS-LP aims to tackle these challenges, in the booming environment of increased production demands. MOSAI CS- LP addresses the Edge Computing market, including Artificial Intelligence, IoT, robotics, automotive industry and 5G/6G markets; by offering competitive, scalable, high-performance, and energy-efficient solutions.

Vincent Markus, CEO of Menta declares “ At the forefront of innovation, Menta, alongside our strategic research partner CEA-List, is proud to participate in the Second Annual Chiplet Summit, a crucial event for chip designers and market players in the United States . MOSAICS-LP redefines semiconductor solutions, addressing issues of energy and cost in traditional monolithic approaches. Our groundbreaking platform, centered on Edge Computing and embedded AI, features a unique architecture with a universal chassis and chiplets. Key advantages include scalability, energy efficiency, reduced development costs, and risk mitigation through pre-tested components , making MOSAICS-LP an innovative solution for the evolving semiconductor landscape .”

Source Galileo and Lhyfe join forces for green hydrogen production in Ireland and the UK

Source Galile, a Dublin based European renewable energy developer, and European green and renewable hydrogen producer and supplier Lhyfe today announced their joint agreement to develop commercial-scale green and renewable hydrogen production units in Ireland and the UK.

The companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the goal of deploying production facilities powered by renewable energy, providing a boost to the net zero emissions goals of both countries.

Under the agreement, Source Galileo and Lhyfe will combine their expertise to generate and supply the environmentally friendly gas to a variety of customers across industry and transport, helping them decarbonise their operations.

The partnership will see Source Galileo and Lhyfe collaborate to establish commercial-scale green hydrogen production. The energy firms are exploring opportunities in Ireland, focusing on identifying consumers and assessing factors such as grid availability, power supply, land accessibility, and planning requirements. Plans are already underway for multiple plants in the UK.

By working together, Source Galileo and Lhyfe believe that their economies of scale can accelerate the roll-out of green hydrogen, meeting the increasing demand from companies aiming to reduce their reliance on natural gas and other fossil fuels.

Initially, the companies will focus on using electricity from onshore renewable sources. However, in the longer term, they could harness the enormous offshore wind potential in Ireland and the UK, which would help overcome electricity grid constraints.

Green hydrogen can support deep decarbonisation, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry, including chemicals and steelmaking. It can also be used for heavy transport, including buses, trucks, construction or logistics vehicles, etc. Green hydrogen, produced from water and electrolysis, can also in the long term replace the more than 3000 TWh of hydrogen currently produced from oil, gas and coal throughout the world.

The Irish Government published its National Hydrogen Strategy in July 2023, outlining plans to develop 2GW of hydrogen production from offshore wind farms in the country by 2030. The UK Government has doubled its low-carbon hydrogen production target from 5GW to 10GW by 2030, with at least half of this coming from green hydrogen.

Source Galileo was founded to accelerate the roll-out of large-scale renewable energy projects as part of the energy transition. It has a pipeline of approximately 10GW of offshore wind and hydrogen projects under development in Ireland, the UK and Norway. The company is also developing onshore battery storage and solar projects.

Lhyfe (EURONEXT: LHYFE) is one of the world’s pioneers in producing green and renewable hydrogen by using water and wind or sun to power electrolysers. The France-based multinational’s first plant at Pays de La Loire has been operating since the second half of 2021, with two more sites inaugurated in Occitanie and Brittany in December 2023. An additional five sites are currently under construction or extension throughout Europe.

Since launching its UK operation in 2022 to support regional decarbonisation, Lhyfe has established offices in Newcastle and Sheffield. Lhyfe aims to achieve a green hydrogen production capacity of 200MW by the end of 2026 and an ambitious goal of 3GW by the end of 2030.

Kevin Lynch, CEO of Source Galileo, said: “We believe the development of a hydrogen economy alongside electricity is critical to the energy transition. Both the UK and Ireland have hydrogen strategies. The UK has committed to deploying 50GW of offshore wind by 2030, and Ireland is expected to develop at least 20GW of offshore wind by 2040, with an initial target of 2GW of hydrogen production from offshore wind by 2030. Our partnership with Lhyfe provides an onshore and offshore platform and a major step forward from which to assist in delivering government hydrogen targets.”

Stirling Habbitts, Director Hydrogen Business Development at Source Galileo, said: “With Lhyfe, we are geared towards decarbonising challenging sectors, particularly industrial processes, through the use of green hydrogen. Hydrogen’s role as an energy carrier will be pivotal in overcoming emerging constraints in current electricity grids, ensuring a supplemental and additional supply of clean energy to industries beyond the electricity grid’s current capabilities.”

Taia Kronborg, Chief Business Officer at Lhyfe, said: “We are pleased to announce this agreement with Source Galileo, which represents an exciting opportunity to drive forward the clean energy transition with large-scale green hydrogen production. At Lhyfe, we are moving at pace to enable decarbonisation in our communities and unleash the extraordinary potential of renewable energy across Ireland and the UK. Green hydrogen is one of the key solutions to reaching net zero, and the good news is it’s available to be deployed today, improving national energy security while turbo-charging local economies.”

SAMSUNG GALAXY S24, S24 + AND S24 ULTRA: discover the new custom made cases from Noreve

Samsung has unveiled their new models to the general public. Give your new smartphone Noreve protection, which combines elegance, durability and personalization. Noreve is a pioneer in the manufacture of smartphone cases and has the advantage of offering a wide choice of fully customizable cases. Simple and refined, Noreve cases play the card of sobriety and elegance. Made from high-quality materials, they offer a luxurious hand feel and long-lasting durability. Whether you are looking for a case to easily hang different accessories or want an optimal shield, discover a selection of precious cases for Samsung Galaxy S24, S24 + or S24 Ultra which rhymes chic with electronics.

HAUTE COUTURE ACCESSORIES:

5 designs : back cover, flap cover wallet, vertical flap cover, horizontal flap cover, pouch

14 different leather finishes:smooth leather, grained leather, Saffiano leather, special leather, vegan…+ 100 different colors:red, brown, blue, lilac…

+ 10 exclusive customization options:printing of text or photo, engraving, shoulder strap, neck strap…

See more 

Innovative retail lighting Jett Evo sets new standards

Jett Evo – a spotlight for all shop applications

The LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH research department presents a revolutionary, comprehensive upgrade of the popular Jett range, the Jett Evo. The track-mounted spotlight sets new standards in retail lighting. Featuring comprehensive functionalities, Jett Evo offers a number of benefits for demanding shop applications.

 

Photo: Porsche Centre Tbilisi. Tegeta Premium Vehicles Ltd. Official Importer of Porsche in Georgia. The black LTS track spotlight Jett Evo ensures that the exclusive luxury of the Porsche models is optimally staged and emphasised with precise illumination. It is itself a small powerhouse and makes no difference to the bodywork – whether elegant, classic or modern. It always emphasises the contours of the brand to optimum effect.

 

LTS Licht & Leuchten presents attractively priced retail spotlight.
A Quantum leap in the Jett EVOlution!

As a basic spotlight, Jett Evo really deserves its name. The track-mounted spotlight’s innovations have led to a significant increase in light efficiency. With almost 140 lm/W guarantee optimum economic efficiency for your lighting system. The enhanced Jett Evo is a powerful lighting solution with an attractive price range for both high and small volumes. Thanks to the LED upgrade, the new Jett Evo is even more powerful, sustainable and efficient. It offers the lowest power consumption level that the Jett range has ever seen. In addition, Jett Evo is now eligible for a grant through the Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings scheme which means fast amortisation and a higher incentive for customers. All of these benefits underline its economic and ecological attractiveness.

Jett Evo is suitable for all shop applications! In car dealerships, for example, Jett Evo ensures brilliant product presentations. It is a splendid product presenter in other retail segments as well: be it individual retail stores, shopping malls or product spaces in department stores.

 

Image: LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH. Thanks to the rotating and swivelling light head, the products to be illuminated are always shown in the right light, even when the showroom is being redesigned. With its high-perfomance specular reflector made of aluminium for maximum light output, optimum glare control is guaranteed. The LTS Jett Evo spotlight also scores points with its high-quality and sustainable light quality.

8 benefits for successful retail –
LTS spotlights of the latest generation

  • Jett Evo is now eligible for grants through the Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings scheme
    => i.e., it is even more attractive in terms of pricing and amortises quickly
  • From less than 120 lm/W up to 137 lm/W
    => Better light efficiency means better economic efficiency
  • Versatile with a wide performance range of up to 6,800 lm
    => Suitable for high ceilings but can also be used for all other room heights
  • Material reduction in the luminaire head by more than 25%
    => Jett Evo is lighter and more sustainable than its predecessor
  • Changeover from aluminium to steel for the converter housing
    => Savings in energy-intensive aluminium, converter becomes visually slimmer and is more sustainable in terms of the used materials which makes it more environmentally friendly
  • Jett Evo is rotatable through 355° + swivelling through 180°, the built-in version can be retracted and extended
    => Flexibly adjustable to all types of illumination
  • High-quality mirror reflector made by LTS
    => Precise light control without light loss for selected areas
  • LEDs of the latest generation
    => Jett Evo is more efficient and cost-effective to operate

Image: LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH. A view of the luminaire head from behind shows the reduction in material by over 25 %. The Jett Evo is lighter and more sustainable. The change from aluminium to steel for the converter housing also saves on the energy-intensive metal aluminium, the converter is visually slimmer and is more sustainable in terms of material, which is good for the environment.

 

Light design with passion:
Jett Evo from LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH

LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH places a focus on sustainability. The consistent material reduction in the luminaire head and the use of steel sheet for the converter housing made the track-mounted spotlight Jett Evo not only lighter but also more environmentally friendly. The company is not using any energy-intensive aluminium for the converter housing which has a positive impact on the product’s environmental footprint. This is another step by LTS Licht und Leuchten GmbH towards using innovative technologies for a sustainable future:

“It is our shared goal to become a little bit better each and every day and to create light that enriches, inspires and connects people. On this journey at LTS and with the evolution of Jett, Jett Evo represents the next logical step towards more efficiency, preserving resources while maintaining the known light quality. With state-of-the-art technology and an efficiency of more than 140 lumen it fulfils all requirements of professional retail lighting both from the economic and the ecological perspective.“
— Stefan Hertle, Product Manager at LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH

LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH stands for premium illumination solutions in the retail sector. By drawing on continued research and innovation, LTS strives to fulfil their customers’ needs and expectations or even anticipate them.

 

Image: LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH. The material reduction of the Jett Evo emphasises the sustainable vision of LTS. In addition, its timeless design emphasises its efficiency and clear focus on performance. A reliable retail partner for flexible alignment.

 

Inspiration through light: Jett Evo for creative interior design

Jett Evo excels through its impressive flexibility. It can be recessed flush with the ceiling but can also be extended and, with a rotatability of 355° and a swivel range of 180°, which allows it to flexibly adjust to any lighting requirement in the retail sector. The spotlight scores with an excellent CRI of 90 and a high-quality mirror reflector which enables precise light control without light loss and helps present the products with an unprecedented brilliance. This not only maximizes the focus on visibility and increases the buying interest but also allows for optimum lighting to turn the time in a shop into a pleasant experience both for customers and staff. LTS aims at creating light to express the individual identity of spaces and increase the wellbeing of people. The enhanced Jett Evo fully achieves this objective.

 

Photo: toc.designstudio. Patisserie Tafelzier in Nuremberg: “On the one hand, the spotlight with its clear lines blends harmoniously and unobtrusively into the shop concept and, on the other hand, a special LED chip enables the products to look particularly flavoursome and aromatic in the presentation of the goods with a light tailored to baked goods.” – Torsten Haardt / toc. designstudio, Nuremberg

 

Retail lighting re-defined:
Jett Evo is lighter, more sustainable and more attractive

The classic turbine-shaped design of Jett Evo remains unchanged so that it can seamlessly integrate into the interior of retail environments. The stable luminaire housing is a timeless classic and appealing to the eye. It conveys a sense of straight-line regularity and is at the same time in harmony with the products to be illuminated. The simple cylindrical shape is both aesthetically attractive and functional in its design. The proven converter housing which is located separately next to the light head offers a lot of space for individual control options and excellent light qualities. In addition, Jett Evo is available as a recessed spotlight. The clear focus on efficiency and performance ensures that all functions of the retail spotlight can be optimally fulfilled.

If you are interested in the powerful track-mounted spotlight Jett Evo, LTS sales consultants will be happy to demonstrate Jett Evo’s excellent features to you. For further information and details on the availability, please contact our Customer Service or visit the LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH website.

McLaren Applied helps Network Rail maintain the railway with 5G connectivity and new Active Antenna

McLaren Applied is helping Network Rail maintain the railway following the installation of its F1-derived Fleet Connect software and 5G Edge Active Antenna hardware on 14 of the railway operator’s infrastructure monitoring trains. This first implementation of Active Antenna’ technology in the UK brings a new, simplified approach to on-train connectivity infrastructure and an advanced capability for data offload on the move.

The combined tech solution delivers far greater connectivity and performance, with Network Rail registering upload data improvements of up to one thousand times faster than previous systems, meaning upload speeds of up to 70MB/s per train versus 76kB/s previously.

The UK’s infrastructure monitoring trains travel up and down the country, checking the condition of bridges, tunnels, and viaducts, as well as 20,000 miles of track including signals and level crossings. The New Measurement Train – the most recognisable of Network Rail’s infrastructure monitoring trains – records 60,000 miles of data a year, which can now be easily offloaded via the McLaren Applied solution.

Access to better and more stable connectivity is supporting maintenance, with the monitoring trains reporting back using live data streams, including sensor readings on the track, foliage, and network monitoring. The remote and automated monitoring helps to target maintenance work and run a safe and reliable railway for passengers and goods.

Originally developed for the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1, McLaren Applied’s patented Fleet Connect software splits data across networks in real time and reassembles it in the cloud en route to its destination, reducing blackspots and providing a consistent connectivity stream for any moving vehicle in any environment.

Pablo Garcia Lopez, Director, Connected Intelligence Business Unit at McLaren Applied, said: “The roll out of Fleet Connect software and cutting-edge Active Antenna hardware is a great example of how British ingenuity and engineering, along with cross industry knowledge, can solve prominent challenges in the transport sector. The combined technology ensures that infrastructure monitoring trains can quickly and reliably transmit data throughout their journeys up and down the UK.

“Network Rail has demonstrated an open, collaborative mindset in bringing Formula 1-derived software to the rail industry, and we expect further gains over five-year partnership,” Garcia Lopez added.

Dublin Tech Summit Partners with Pegasus to Host First Ever Irish Leg of the Startup World Cup

The Startup World Cup, the world’s largest startup pitch competition, will make its debut in Ireland, with the semi-final taking place at Dublin Tech Summit 2024. Powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, the tournament consists of over 50 regional startup competitions across over 20 countries, providing an unmatched opportunity to access Ireland’s startup ecosystem and global tech companies.

The contendants will be judged at the event by a panel of venture capitalists, with the winner attending the grand final in Silicon Valley to compete against 50 other semi-finalists from across the globe for the $1,000,000 investment prize. The judging panel will consist of esteemed venture capitalist organisations, aimed at supporting startup growth. Featuring partners and directors from, VC Seraphim Space, Sure Valley Ventures, Techstars Sustainability Paris, Anamcara Capital, and The Launch Code.

“The Startup World Cup Grand Finale 2023 in San Francisco was more than just an event; it was a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Martin Tantow, Partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures. “Each pitch brought something unique to the table, elevating the competition to new heights of excitement. To be able to bring such an arena to a highly receptive audience in Ireland, has been a long awaited affair for Pegasus Tech Ventures, and we are honoured to partner with Dublin Tech Summit to bring the first ever leg of the event to Ireland, given the nation’s esteemed tech prowess in Europe”

Dublin Tech Summit 2024 will also be expanding its Accelerate initiative. Accelerate provides an opportunity for Irish start up & scale-up brands to expand internationally and get noticed by technology movers and shakers, to maximise investment opportunities for the Irish startup scene. Dublin Tech Summit will exhibit all entries in its Accelerate hall for the duration of the summit.

“Dublin Tech Summit is thrilled to announce not only the expansion of our Accelerate programme to empower local innovators but its commitment to empowering those very talents on a global stage as host to the Startup World Cup. To be able to utilise our position as a seminal voice in the mainstream techworld to provide opportunities to the next generation of changemakers, is something Dublin Tech Summit and our Accelerate programme take great pride in. In a world of ever changing corporate tax receipts, nurturing our local and start-up economy is as vital now as it ever was”, said Tracey Carney, Managing Director, Dublin Tech Summit.

To compete on the pitch stage at the DTS24, startups must register online to participate in the Accelerate programme and founders must have formed a legal business entity. The startup can be at any stage of development, from pre-seed to scale-up, and each entrant will submit a 90-second video pitch. 50 startups will be selected from the video pitches to compete in knockout presentation rounds on day one of the summit, with finals on day 2 for those who advance in the competition.

“It is an unprecedented opportunity for Irish startups to get their idea in front of expert investors, and the chance to be in the global grand finale competition in Silicon Valley. Entrepreneurial dreamers are the life of the innovation economy. Providing Irish expertise to the world is a key feature of the Accelerate programme, one which has the potential to see significant dividends in the economy as wider society in dynamic times”, said DC Cahalane former GCMO for Dogpatch Labs, and now Venture Partner at Sure Valley Ventures, and DTS Accelerate stage MC.

Dyson releases major data study of indoor pollution levels in Irish homes

Dyson unveils the results of its first Global Connected Air Quality Data project. The project analyses indoor air quality information collected by 2.5m Dyson purifiers from 2022 to 2023 to measure air quality in real homes across the world, to a high degree of granularity, breaking down pollution into gas and particle pollutants, and profiling trends over days, months, seasons and the full year. The data comes from Dyson purifiers connected to the MyDyson app; the volume of data exceeds half a trillion data points and paints a precise picture of indoor air quality in cities and countries globally to help build understanding and awareness of indoor air pollution.

From a wealth of data, this project focuses on two types of pollutant – PM2.5, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

PM2.5 refers to particles as small as 2.5 microns in diameter, 1/25th the diameter of a typical human hair. These particles are invisible to the naked eye, can be inhaled and are an area of increasing scientific and health research. Sources include combustion, wood burners, or gas cooking and heating – pet dander, ash and dust.

VOCs are gas pollutants including Benzene and Formaldehyde which can be emitted from activities like cleaning or gas cooking as well as from products including deodorants and body sprays, candles, furniture and furnishings.

“Our connected air quality data allows us insight into the real problem of indoor air pollution in homes across the world. This gives us a direct understanding of the challenges Dyson purifiers face in real environments and the knowledge to engineer ever-better machines to tackle those challenges. But the data we capture isn’t just an engineering tool – on an individual basis, this data is shared back through the MyDyson app in real-time and via monthly reports, to help our owners improve their air quality understanding.” – Matt Jennings, Engineering Director for Environmental Care

“We all think of air pollution as being an outdoor or roadside problem. Indoor air pollution research is growing but continues to be underdeveloped. Dyson’s findings give us a valuable insight into the real pollution levels in homes across the world, helping us to understand the patterns of pollution daily, monthly, and seasonally. The Dyson data is an incredibly powerful education tool and the opportunities for positive impact are boundless – understanding the pollution around us is the first step to reducing our pollution exposure.” – Professor Hugh Montgomery, Chair of Intensive Care Medicine at University College London, and Chairperson of Dyson’s Scientific Advisory Board

Nearly all homes experienced indoor air quality worse than outdoor with Ireland peaking in December and March but Dublin city specifically peaked in January and March.

All but four of the countries studied exceeded outdoor PM2.5 levels for six months or more. In February, most countries experienced the largest gap between indoor PM2.5 as compared to outdoor, where indoor exceeded outdoor levels by the highest proportion compared to all other months.  All but four countries studied exceeded outdoor PM2.5

Ireland ranked 28th globally for indoor/outdoor ratio of PM2.5 levels with China, Austria, and Spain at the top.

DUBLIN CITY SHOWED NEARLY DOUBLE WHO GUIDELINE PM2.5 LEVELS   

The city of Dublin had slightly higher levels of PM2.5 than the rest of the country with the average being 9.81 µg/m3 PM2.5, which was still below the global average.  However, this measurement still exceeded the WHO long term exposure guidelines of what is deemed safe long term PM2.5 levels.  In fact, Dublin came out as having nearly double the amount of what WHO guidelines for PM2.5 levels are. In Dublin city in January 20022, 12.54 µg/m3 PM2.5 levels were documented, which is 2.5 times over what the WHO guidelines suggest.

December and March saw the highest spike of PM2.5 levels in homes in Dublin.

Dyson air purifier data showed that winter across all countries was the most polluted season indoors overall. Given that 90% of our time is spent indoors, the results showed PM2.5 peaked throughout the colder months with January being the most polluted month globally.

Evening pollution was higher than any other time of day in most countries, including Ireland, with spikes between 7pm and 11pm recorded on Irish Air Purifiers. This stat coincides with the time of day that many people spend in their homes.

Exposure is the measure of air pollution concentration over time, which within the air quality research community is a key consideration – a spike of air pollution (a very high level for a short period of time) is not necessarily worse than prolonged exposure to ‘poor’ or even ‘fair’ air quality. Therefore, data from Dyson purifiers suggests that this longer, more polluted period may account for increased exposure to PM2.5 in homes.

Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) levels in Ireland

European cities also top the rankings of VOC levels indoors: Munich takes top spot, followed by Beijing, and then its fellow German cities – Cologne in 3rd and Berlin 4th.

Dublin and Madrid are particularly high – occupying spaces 11 and 12, both higher than Shenzhen, Busan, Tokyo, Manila, Hong Kong SAR and other larger EMEA cities like Paris, London and Amsterdam.

Dublin, Paris and Milan rank above megacities like Tokyo and Seoul, and above all US cities as well as London.

Jabra Announces Cutting-Edge Updates to Elite 8 Active and Elite 10 at #CES2024

Jabra, a global leader in true wireless sound and hybrid work solutions, is set to unveil a suite of experience-enhancing updates to its latest Elite wireless earbuds, the Elite 8 Active and Elite 10.

The initial updates, which will be available in January, will include an easy-to-use on/off toggle for Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), HearThrough, and Sidetone features, as well as new voice tone prompts. This enables enhanced interaction and empowers users to tailor their earbuds to their own/individual preferences. Additionally, users will be able to customise the device name of their earbuds.

By March, users can expect an optimisation for Elite 10 call clarity for bustling environments like offices, restaurants, and busy streets. Jabra’s latest noise suppression algorithms are designed to identify and diminish background voices, ensuring uninterrupted conversations.

Jabra’s improvements on the Adaptive ANC on Elite 8 Active paired with HearThrough will be even more effective in windy conditions. This is thanks to upgraded wind noise detection technology.

The announcement of these best-in-class advancements at CES 2024 reinforces Jabra’s commitment to continuous innovation and providing users with unparalleled audio experiences – whether that is new products or software updates. The 2024 updates not only elevate the audio quality but also enhance the overall functionality and usability of Jabra’s latest generation earbuds.

Ehtisham Rabbani, Head of Consumer Products at Jabra said, “Our commitment to our customers is unwavering. We actively listen to market feedback, which fuels our drive to continuously enhance user experiences. We deliver ongoing improvements throughout the lifespan of our products, so that our users always experience the best of Jabra.”

These updates will be available in two waves, the first in January 2024 and the second in March 2024. Updates are via the Sound+ app, and will be available to all users, existing and new, via a hassle-free over-the-air update at no cost.

Experience these revolutionary updates firsthand by meeting with Jabra at CES. Find them at PepCom or ShowStoppers or book them for a 121.