Project description
Hearing the signal in the noise: compact and affordable microphones for consumer electronics
The cameras that capture images have evolved tremendously in the past decades – the average cell phone owner can now take razor-sharp photos in a variety of conditions. However, capturing voice signals in complex acoustic environments remains a challenge, particularly at a price point that consumers can afford or will accept. The SME sensiBel in Norway has developed patented microphones with far greater range than anything available today, and they are cheaper and smaller as well, opening the door to high-quality microphone arrays for compact consumer devices. The EU-funded OptiMEMS project is helping the team develop their business and commercialisation plan to support the growing market for natural language voice-controlled user interfaces.
Objective
Natural language voice-controlled user interfaces are evolving fast. The automatic speech recognition systems from e.g. Microsoft and Google already perform as well as humans – assuming that the voice signals can be captured perfectly. Speech capture, especially in complex acoustic environments is the limiting factor in speech recognition. There is a growing need for miniature size, affordable and “human-grade” performance microphones. sensiBel has developed a new, patented microphone technology, that is capable of registering sound waves far beyond the range that microphones in this price class can do today. Our microphones are significantly cheaper and smaller than existing microphones with equivalent performance [i.e. studio microphones], which makes it possible to include high-performance microphone arrays also in e.g. small consumer devices. This opens a multi-billion market opportunity for sensiBel, as the total MEMS microphone market is expected to reach 8 billion units in 2022.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges
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H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
0349 Oslo
Norway
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.