Tokyo, September 25, 2017 - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) today announced the development of acoustic augmented reality (AR) technology that gives a 'voice' to objects that can only be heard by users of specialized wireless earphones (hearable devices). These advanced devices also enable users to easily identify the direction and location that the voices originate from, making this technology ideal for marketing purposes and guide services.
The technology wirelessly provides 'stereophonic sound,' a realistic sound field that virtually produces a three dimensional sense of direction and distance for a sound. Moreover, 'sound localization' fixes the position of a sound, regardless of the facial orientation or direction a user is moving. This is accomplished by using nine axis motion sensors mounted on a hearable device.
Possible applications for this technology include the creation of promotions, as well as navigation and guidance services that are customized for individual needs, such as posters in a facility that 'talk' to users directly.
'NEC is aiming to commercialize this technology as a hearable platform service that combines ear acoustic authentication with indoor positioning, vital sensing and other technologies by the end of FY2018,' said Tomonori Kumagai, General Manager, Business Development Division, NEC Corporation. 'Going forward, NEC aims to continue proposing new approaches to computing that utilize hearable devices without the need for screens.'
Acoustic AR Technology Applications
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NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.
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NEC Corporation published this content on 25 September 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 25 September 2017 07:14:05 UTC.
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NEC Corporation specializes in the manufacturing and marketing computing and telecommunication equipments. Net sales break down by activity as follows:
- IT services (53.9%): integration, maintenance, outsourcing, support services, etc.;
- sale of IT infrastructure products and network systems (17%). In addition, the group provides network services;
- sale of digital government and financial services software (14.9%);
- other (12.7%): sale of hardware, mobile telephones, lighting products, energy management and storage systems, etc.
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: Japan (75%), Asia/Pacific (11.2%), Europe/Middle East/Africa (9.8%) and Americas (4%).
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