Summary
- Profile Type
- Business Offer
- POD Reference
- BOCY20240202005
- Term of Validity
- 2 February 2024 - 1 February 2025
- Company's Country
- Cyprus
- Type of partnership
- Commercial agreement
- Supplier agreement
- Investment agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- An innovative, Cypriot SME has developed a device that converts sounds into vibrations that the users feel on their hands. With this technology, each sound has its own signature and character, as it happens with hearing as well. They have developed a device that complements the existing technologies and methods
- Full Description
- The implications of hearing impairment are detrimental for a person’s quality of life. Traditional approaches, such as lip-reading, and the sign-language have limited success. Modern interventions such as cochlear implants and hearing aids exist as well but these are not without limitations either. We have developed a device that complements the existing technologies and methods. The Cypriot SME has developed a device that converts sounds into vibrations that the users feel on their hands. With this technology, each sound has its own signature and character, as it happens with hearing as well.The device is currently undergoing approved clinical trials and is being tested for EMC compatibility and General Safety in certified laboratories. It is expected to have the device licensed and ready for sales in 2024.
- Advantages and Innovations
- 1. Spatial signature of sounds: The tech, with a single inexpensive actuator, achieves manages to generate waves on the surface of the skin that ultimately produce unique spatial representations of each sound. Since it converts sounds into vibrations that are felt on the hand, essentially it manages to generate unique feelings for each sound and gives each word its own unique character and quality. 2. Frequency shifting: Human hearing spans frequencies between 20 and 22000 Hz while normal sounds usually can reach 3000 to 5000 Hz max. in contrast, tactile perception is saturated at 500 Hz and already weakens at 400Hz. Therefore, for effective conversion of acoustic frequencies to tactile frequencies a compression must take place. This is achieved with a novel algorithm that focuses the frequencies around 300 Hz which is the frequency at which audio-tactile integration is most prevalent. Our conversion method aligns with the innovative design of our interface, maximizing the differentiation between each different sound. 3. Environmental modes: It encompasses four modes for different environments. A. The ‘Speech’ Mode: The device assists the user in identifying phonemes and ultimately comprehending speech more effectively by complementing either lip reading or the remaining hearing. B. The ‘Nature’ Mode: In this mode the device allows the “translation” of sounds that pertain to nature, such as birds singing, the sound of a water stream, etc. C. The ‘City’ Mode: In this mode, the device detects the sound of approaching cars when the user is in a non-busy city area. D. The ‘Music’ mode: Here, the user can enjoy the rhythm of songs. 4. Noise cancelling: the device includes a well-tested noise cancelling algorithm. This algorithm detects and cancels persisting noise, such as babbling in a fair, and allows only the useful sounds entering the device. Although the device can be promoted as suitable for relatively quiet environments, the specific mode is quite effective.
- Stage of Development
- Available for demonstration
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequality
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
- Distribution, Co-Development,m Licensing the device
- Type and Size of Partner
- R&D Institution
- SME 50 - 249
- SME 11-49
- Type of partnership
- Commercial agreement
- Supplier agreement
- Investment agreement
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 06005002 - Sensors & Wireless products
- 01001002 - Digital Systems, Digital Representation
- Market keywords
- 05010002 - Cognitive aid
- 05007003 - Handicap aids
- 05010003 - Patient rehabilitation & training
- Sector Groups Involved
- Electronics
- Health
- Targeted countries
- All countries