Emo Labs wins DEMOgod gong for 'invisible speakers'
NEWS.com.au
September 25, 2009 08:55am
 The "invisible speaker" technology could turn a room of TVs into a wall of sound. Picture: AFP |
Emo Labs boss Jason Carlson shows Mashable.com how it works.
- TV screens turned into stereo speakers
- Transparent film creates hi-fi sound
- Technology: More gadget news, reviews
The see-through technology, pioneered by Emo Labs, can be "stuck on" to a TV screen and play stereo sound.
Emo Labs says its speaker system uses two piezo actuators - tiny devices that create fine vibrations - on either side of the transparent panel. The panel is mounted on the TV screen and then clamped in the middle for a stereo effect.
"Instead of pushing from behind, like a traditional cone speaker does, (our) speakers actuate a thin membrane along the side in a manner that creates an extremely efficient, piston-like motion in front."
This creates vibrations from the flat transparent panel, which does not appear to interfere with the screen quality.
The US-based firm is in talks with major electronics makers interested in layering its "Invisible Speaker System" on flat panel TVs to turn screens into giant speakers, Emo chief executive Jason Carlson said.
The company won a DEMOgod and People's Choice Award at the DEMO technology conference this week.
"It's just possible that these companies are going to be stronger, bigger and more successful because they are launching in this economy," said Chris Shipley, who has reigned over more than a decade of DEMO conferences.
"Right now is the best time to be innovating; there is so much opportunity while a lot of people are scrambling for the hills."
- with AFP
Sam of Brisbane