Neuralink Rival? New Device Promises to Put Music in Your Head, Without a Headphone

Nhx T., Tech Times 13 November 2020, 02:11 am

A new technology that could rival that of Elon Musk's Neuralink in some sense is being introduced to the world, which would allow people to listen to their favorite songs, podcasts, play computer games, or watch a movie without disturbing anyone around them, and without the need of a pair of headphones.

(Photo : Screengrab from Associated Press)
The SoundBeamer 1.0 is a prototype of the desktop device that features sound beaming.

A Rival to Elon Musk's Neuralink?

Previously, Independent reported that Musk's Neuralink brain chip would allow the wearer to listen to music directly to the chip, which would be embedded in their head.

In a way, this new technology rivals that of the controversial brain chip, but instead of using any invasive devices, Noveto Systems, an Israeli company and maker of a new audio technology known as "sound beaming."

According to a report by The Associated Press, the new technology will debut this Friday, November 13, in the form of a desktop device that will beam music straight to the listener, sans head or earphones.

Based on the report, the company will be launching the prototype of the device, which is called the SoundBeamer 1.0.

How Does Sound Beaming Work?

Sound beaming works by using a 3D module that will locate the position of the listener's ears and will send the audio to the listener via sound pockets created by ultrasonic waves, with audio that can either be heard in stereo or spatial 3D mode that allows the person to hear the sound all around them.

Basically, listeners will have their own sound bubble surrounding them that no one else can hear.

It is possible to set up the device in a way that the sound follows them when they move their head, but they can also set it up so that when they move out of the beam's way, they will stop hearing the sounds altogether.

Noveto's SoundBeamer Product Manager Ayana Wallwater said that it's a device that "follows you wherever you go, so it's personally for you."

Since the listeners don't have to use headphones, the company said they could hear all the other sounds outside of their sound bubble, so they believe people can find plenty of practical uses for SoundBeamer 1.0.

Noveto's Demonstration

Noveto has done a demonstration via Zoom from Tel Aviv, where there were sounds of swans in a lake, a babbling brook, as well as buzzing bees.

Furthermore, the demonstration included Wallwater, who did not hear any of the gunshots of on a gaming demo featuring the new device but did say she enjoyed the reactions of the people who tried the technology for the first time.

"Most people just say, 'Wow, I really don't believe it,'" Wallwater said. "You don't believe it because it sounds like a speaker, but no one else can hear it...it's supporting you, and you're in the middle of everything. It's happening around you."

Sound beaming is not a new concept, but the Noveto Systems were the first one to put the idea into reality, and sooner or later, it may be available to anyone who wants to have their own personal sound bubble.

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Written by: Nhx Tingson