TWO inventors with strong Bradford links are today taking key steps in bringing “the world’s smartest kettle” to market.

Bradford-born Robert Hill and former Bingley resident Richard Hill have created the remote controlled Appkettle which has generated widespread publicity – and won celebrity endorsement from TV and radio presenter Jonathan Ross since the Telegraph & Argus publicised the development.

Now the duo have launched an online crowdfunding campaign through Kickstarter and are hoping to raise at least £165,000 through pledges to enable them to take the product to the manufacturing stage.

They are also today meeting representatives from a leading Chinese consumer goods manufacturer which has been lined up to make the new kettle. Robert Hill said: “If we can raise the £165,000 it will enable us to to take the project to the manufacturing stage. If we are successful, it means we can hopefully get the product on sale within eight to ten months, subject to satisfactory testing and accreditation.

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“We’ve had many expressions of interest in the product since the Telegraph & Argus article from as far away as Dubai and including many follow-up pieces in other media. Jonathan Ross even gave us a mention on BBC Radio 2 and said he would buy one. We are today meeting the manufacturers in London to discuss details. They are a premium manufacturer which already makes kettles for Russell Hobbs, Brevil and other top brands.

“We have also been talking to several leading online and high street retailers about stocking the product.”

Robert Hill got the idea for the Appkettle while visiting family in Bradford and discussed the possibility for a device which could be controlled remotely using a smartphone app.

He joined forces with Richard Hill to create the advanced smart kettle and they have patented the groundbreaking system that enables the kettle to be connected to multiple users anywhere in the home or office through Wi-fi.

The Appkettle is controlled via a “live” smartphone app, with variable temperature control, smart scheduling, timing and keep-warm features and reduced energy usage. It also includes industry-first sensing features to measure the amount of liquid in the kettle. It also includes a “baby bottle” feature enabling parents to use the app for checking the water level, boil and then set a cool-down temperature suitable for baby milk.

Robert Hill and Richard Hill, met whilst studying engineering at Loughborough University in 2006.