Project description
MEMS technology miniaturises loudspeakers
Tiny speakers based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) could revolutionise future mobile communication devices, headphones, and hearing aids. However, in the audio world, MEMS technology has only been used to build tiny microphones. Speakers still rely on traditional dynamic design principles. EU funding of the Digital speakers project will enable Austria-based audio start-up company USound GmbH to continue developing breakthrough loudspeakers based on CMOS and MEMS technologies. It is now working on its new product called ‘Kore’, which will exploit MEMS potential to the fullest. With its completely new loudspeaker concepts, USound’s vision is to be at the forefront of the digital transformation of the loudspeaker market.
Objective
USound GmbH designs, develops and markets highly integrated micro-loudspeakers based on a new piezoelectric MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) technology. USound, founded in 2014, is based in Graz, Austria, with offices in Vienna, Austria, San Francisco, USA and Shenzhen, China. USound has been growing fast from the start, with a current headcount of 58 people. USound’s revenue model is based on a high-volume sales of MEMS loudspeakers on a B2B basis to OEMs or other manufacturers of audio equipment.
USound’s Vision is to be at the forefront of the digital transformation of the loudspeaker market. By 2020 USound will be a recognised design house for innovative and high-quality acoustic system solutions based on the unique features of the MEMS technology. USound will achieve this by pursuing a fabless business model, concentrating on its core technological competences: audio and MEMS technology, ASIC integration and manufacturing know-how, as well as IP protection and exploitation (37 patent families filed).
The loudspeaker is the last component which has not yet been digitised, due to technical restraints. Therefore, loudspeakers are difficult to integrate in the manufacturing flow, which causes manifold problems for manufacturers of micro-electronic devices. The piezoelectric digital MEMS loudspeaker technology of USound makes fully automated manufacturing possible, while also improving sound quality, reducing the form factor and power requirements.
The first product (in-ear phone) with USound loudspeakers inside will be marketed internationally by USound’s client 3nod. So, the market readiness of the first USound product “Ganymede” has been proven, but USound has realized that the piezo MEMS technology has not yet been exploited to its full capacity. “Kore” is now the next generation, which will bring a leap in exploitation of the technological potential. This will be achieved by a break-through in the MEMS design and the level of electronic integration.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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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-2 - SME instrument phase 2
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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.
8020 Graz
Austria
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.