‘Invisible headphone’ device beams sound directly to user’s ears
The SoundBeamer uses ultrasonic waves to beam audio directly to a user’s ears, creating a personal audio experience without the need for headphones. The device dynamically moves the source of the sound around the listener in 3D, beaming only to the listener, without disturbing people nearby.
The company’s pre-sale campaign of the device, launched via Kickstarter, offers limited pre-sale opportunities, including discounts of over 40%. The company says it is planning to distribute devices from November 2021, with initial devices limited to backers via Kickstarter.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be releasing a new way to experience sound and deliver something truly groundbreaking to market,” says Noveto CEO Christophe Ramstein. “I look forward to our Kickstarter backers being the first to experience this revolution in sound that we have been working so hard to create.”
The company is also unveiling new hardware and software features including a new AI-based built-in voice, facial and gesture recognition, and ambient sound monitoring enabling natural and intuitive interaction. The SoundBeamer 1.0 has been upgraded with the company’s D1 chipset, which works with the software to produce digital signals for the proprietary Noveto transducer array, which then beamforms audio pockets to outside the user’s ears.
Key features of the device include:
- Immersive and 3D: Not since headphones, says the company, has there been a new way to experience audio. Two pockets of sounds are being beamed just outside of the ears enabling a very personal immersive and 3D audio experience.
- Personal audio: Avoid disturbing people nearby with sound beamed only to a user’s ears. -20dB attenuation keeps the audio personal to the user. Someone next to the user will only hear 10% of what the user hears.
- Built in Intelligence: The AI-based built-in voice, facial and gesture recognition as well as ambient sound monitoring enables a very natural and intuitive interaction.
The SoundBeamer measures 310 mm (W) x 100 mm (H) x 100 mm (D) (approx. 12 x 4 x 4 inches) and weighs approximately 845 g (1.86 lb). The cost of the device is from $345 for Super Early Bird backers of the project, which will be funded if it reaches its $175,000 goal (currently at over $50,000 pledged) by March 20 2021.
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