The audible equipment market is one of the fastest-growing vertical industries in the consumer electronics field. From wireless earbuds to hearing aids, they are not just a listening tool. They provide us with a new way to reach the wider world around us. It is estimated that by 2026, the audible equipment market will reach 93.9 billion U.S. dollars, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.2% from 2019 to 2026. Other data shows that consumers are interested in the specific functions of these devices.
The audible device is an ideal fitness tracking application. Fitness tracking through the head has a strong built-in attribute because the range of motion of the head is relatively even compared to the wrist or pocket. However, if you use wireless headphones while running or exercising in the gym, you are unlikely to be staring at your phone all the time. As a result, it is inconvenient for the user to rely on the mobile phone to control the receiver. Buttons placed directly on audio equipment are usually small and invisible to the user's ears, making it difficult to find and press them.
At this time, there are audible devices with in-ear detection. In-ear detection is a gesture that automatically pauses the audio when the user removes the earplug, and resumes when the user puts it back in the ear.Traditional audible equipment cannot change with the environment by itself. For example, when you are going to cross a busy street, you will miss external sound prompts, such as car horns, which may cause serious injuries.
In this case, the listener's headset can analyze the information from its sensors to determine the user's activities, such as walking, jogging, cycling, etc. Combine this information with other known information, such as GPS or artificial intelligence algorithms from mobile phones, to detect important clues—so that the receiver can decide whether to block or pass external audio. The correct sensor and sensor fusion software can also separate the user's voice from the background voice, thereby improving the call quality and voice command accuracy of the virtual assistant.
The audible market includes a variety of devices, including true wireless stereo earbuds, audio headsets, hearing aids and AR glasses. In order to maximize its function and efficiency, the correct combination of sensors is required.
There are many monitoring elements in audible devices, among which accelerometers are essential for activity tracking. The information from this sensor can define the basic number of steps, but if understood correctly, it can also be used for more complex activity classification, such as walking and running.
