, , |

CEVA Acquires Spatial Audio Business from VisiSonics to Expand its Application Software Portfolio for Embedded Systems targeting Hearables and other Consumer IoT Markets

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — CEVA, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEVA), the leading licensor of wireless connectivity and smart sensing technologies and custom SoC solutions, today announced the acquisition of the RealSpace® 3D Spatial Audio business, technology and patents from VisiSonics Corporation. Based in Maryland, close to CEVA’s sensor fusion R&D development center, the VisiSonics spatial audio R&D team and software extend the Company’s application software portfolio for embedded systems, bolstering CEVA’s strong market position in hearables, where spatial audio is fast becoming a must-have feature.

Spatial audio will also drive innovation in many other end markets, including gaming, AR/VR, audio conferencing, healthcare, automotive and media entertainment, all which CEVA can further address following this acquisition. Future Market Insights estimates that the market for 3D audio will grow 4.1X from 2022 to 2032, reaching nearly $31.9 Billion in 2032.

Amir Panush, CEO of CEVA, commented: “The acquisition of the VisiSonics’ spatial audio software and business builds on an already strong relationship and allows us to better serve OEMs who wish to enhance the audio experience of their products with a best-in-class immersive spatial audio solution with such world-class providers as THX Ltd. The software is market-proven with industry leaders in gaming and hearables and presents us with an opportunity to expand our customer base by delivering on the true potential of this technology, including entry into the burgeoning consumer IoT and automotive markets.”

RealSpace spatial audio rendering software provides the most accurate digital simulation of real-life, immersive sound in the industry. Its proprietary algorithms create a realistic aural experience through as little as two-channel stereo audio while supporting full multi-channel and ambisonics. With dynamic head tracking enabled, the RealSpace user experience is even more immersive, as the sound sources are held stationary while the users head is moving, simulating listening experiences in the real world. This allows the user to experience theater-like sound through headphones or earbuds when watching movies, playing video games or listening to music, podcasts or conference calls.

By integrating VisiSonics’ spatial audio software with CEVA’s MotionEngine™ sensor fusion software, RealSpace provides a complete spatial audio solution with dynamic head tracking. This combination can be implemented directly on headphones or earbuds, as it is available as an embedded library for use on wireless audio SoCs, and is already ported to both DSPs and Arm Cortex-M class MCUs. This gives OEMs and semiconductor companies a seamless and simple way of incorporating high performance spatial audio with precise head tracking in their products, with impressively low power and minimal system requirements.

Ramani Duraiswami, founder and Chief Executive Officer of VisiSonics, stated: “For more than a decade, we have pushed the boundaries of innovation in the areas of capture, rendering, and personalizing spatial audio to create our spatial audio software. Now as spatial audio is set to become mainstream, CEVA is the right company to take our technology forward and fully exploit its potential through their global presence and synergistic technologies, and with key partners like THX Ltd.”

VisiSonics’ partner THX®, the world-class audio and video certification and technology company has utilized this technology in its tools for game developers and music producers, and in advanced THX audio personalization for headset manufacturers. Also, CEVA and VisiSonics collaborated to bring the complete RealSpace spatial audio solution to boAt, India’s #1 hearable and wearables company, as they announced their first spatial audio headphones with dynamic head tracking – boAt Nirvana Eutopia – earlier this year.

Chief Executive Officer of THX Ltd, Jason Fiber added: “We have enjoyed a successful relationship with the VisiSonics 3D spatial audio team, incorporating their leading-edge software into our spatial audio solutions for gaming, music, and hearables. CEVA is an ideal company to work with THX to take spatial audio solutions to the next level given its synergistic voice, audio and sensor fusion solutions and embedded systems expertise. I look forward to working with CEVA to create further enhanced entertainment experiences for our customers.”

For more information on CEVA’s RealSpace spatial audio solution, visit www.ceva-dsp.com/product/ceva-realspace. For further information about THX, please visit THX.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that if they materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of CEVA to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the impact of and potential benefits of the ViviSonics 3D Spatial Audio acquisition, market trends related to 3D audio, and potential opportunities for expanding CEVA’s relationship with ViviSonics. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause differing CEVA results include: any difficulty associated with integrating the 3D Spatial Audio team and technology into CEVA’s existing business; the scope and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic; the extent and length of the restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on customers, consumer demand and the global economy generally; the ability of CEVA DSP cores and other technologies to continue to be strong growth drivers for us; our success in penetrating new markets, including in the base station and IoT markets, and maintaining our market position in existing markets; our ability to diversify the company’s royalty streams, the ability of products incorporating our technologies to achieve market acceptance, the maturation of the connectivity, IoT and 5G markets, the effect of intense industry competition and consolidation, global chip market trends, including supply chain issues as a result of COVID-19 and other factors, the possibility that markets for CEVA’s technologies may not develop as expected or that products incorporating our technologies do not achieve market acceptance; our ability to timely and successfully develop and introduce new technologies; our ability to successfully integrate Intrinsix into our business; and general market conditions and other risks relating to our business, including, but not limited to, those that are described from time to time in our SEC filings. CEVA assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates.

About CEVA, Inc.
CEVA is the leading licensor of wireless connectivity and smart sensing technologies and custom SoC solutions for a smarter, safer, connected world. We provide Digital Signal Processors, AI engines, wireless platforms, cryptography cores and complementary embedded software for sensor fusion, image enhancement, computer vision, spatial audio, voice input and artificial intelligence. These technologies are offered in combination with our Intrinsix IP integration services, helping our customers address their most complex and time-critical integrated circuit design projects. Leveraging our technologies and chip design skills, many of the world’s leading semiconductors, system companies and OEMs create power-efficient, intelligent, secure and connected devices for a range of end markets, including mobile, consumer, automotive, robotics, industrial, aerospace & defense and IoT.

Our DSP-based solutions include platforms for 5G baseband processing in mobile, IoT and infrastructure, advanced imaging and computer vision for any camera-enabled device, audio/voice/speech and ultra-low-power always-on/sensing applications for multiple IoT markets. For motion sensing solutions, our Hillcrest Labs sensor processing technologies provide a broad range of sensor fusion software and inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) solutions for markets including hearables, wearables, AR/VR, PC, robotics, remote controls and IoT. For wireless IoT, our platforms for Bluetooth connectivity (low energy and dual mode), Wi-Fi 4/5/6 (802.11n/ac/ax), Ultra-wideband (UWB), NB-IoT and GNSS are the most broadly licensed connectivity platforms in the industry.

, , |

RealSpace3D featured in boAt Nirvana Eutopia premium headphones

VisiSonics is excited that India’s leading consumer electronics brand, boAt, in partnership with CEVA, is launching its Nirvana Eutopia headphones. These headphones feature our industry-leading spatial audio engine, RealSpace3D and will be demo’d at CES 2023. This is boAt’s first headphones with headtracking; we are excited to see headtracking adding to the premium spatial audio experience.

VisiSonics continues innovation in our 3D audio rendering and personalization offerings. In addition, ports of RealSpace3D are available on a number of DSP platforms. Our latest audio advancements further personalize the user experience. Contact us to license RealSpace3D, Audiogram and HRTF personalization for integration on your devices.

|

Webinar: Spatial Audio – What it is and how to overcome its unique challenges to provide a complete solution – March 10th 11am EST/8am PST

Register Here

March 10th 8am PST/11am EST

Audiovisual experiences in XR, gaming, movies, and concerts can all be enhanced with spatial audio experience immersive technology. A superior spatial audio experience occurs when you combine headphones, with wearable head tracking, and on-device processing. Believe it or not, despite the recent wide adoption of Spatial/3D Audio, the concept and technology have been around for a while. However, the technology behind it has advanced significantly as the industry continues to make strides in computing and cost.

In this webinar, we begin by discussing the fundamental concepts of binaural spatial audio and their core principles of operation. We expose the key spatial audio processing and head tracking challenges to creating an effective system. We will offer solutions to these challenges on the way to creating a robust, complete Spatial Audio experience. Finally, we will close by introducing an available reference design that combines these, as well as some upcoming improvements.

Join CEVA and VisiSonics experts to learn about:

  • What is Spatial/3D Audio
  • How does Spatial/3D Audio work
  • What are the technical challenges to implementing an effective Spatial/3D Audio system
  • Why is head tracking so important to Spatial/3D Audio
  • How can the technical challenges be addressed to provide a robust, complete solution

Target Audience

Audio system engineers and product managers targeting audio enabled devices, that are looking to add 3D Audio capabilities to Hearables, Smart Home, Mobile, and Automotive products.

Speakers:

Ramani_75x75.jpg

Ramani Duraiswami
CEO and Founder, VisiSonics

 

Bryan_Cook_75X75.jpg

Bryan Cook
Senior Team Leader, Algorithm Software, CEVA Inc.

, |

VisiSonics to Showcase Its Acoustic Measurement and Visualization Solutions at HPA Tech Retreat 2022

  • Executives from VisiSonics will participate in Supersession panel on overcoming on-set virtual production sound challenges and have been selected for the Retreat’s Innovation Zone
  • Spherical AV camera detects acoustic trouble spots, improving likelihood of preserving initially spoken dialogue to minimize post processing and need for expensive, inferior ADR
  • VisiSonics’ acoustic measurement and visualization solutions are already used in the automotive, aerospace and venue architecture industries, as well as academia and R&D

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., Feb. 15, 2022 – VisiSonics, a leader in 3D spatial audio technologies that enhance end-users’ performance and optimize acoustic environments, today announced plans to showcase its 5/64 Audio Visual Camera at the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) Tech Retreat 2022, demonstrating the acoustic measurement and visualization technology’s potential to substantially reduce film production costs through optimization of virtual production set acoustics. HPA Tech Retreat is Feb. 21-24 at the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California.

VisiSonics will participate in the Retreat’s Feb. 22 virtual-production-focused Supersession, joining the panel: Final Sample – On Set Virtual Production Sound Challenges. Company leadership will also demonstrate the spherical AV camera in the Retreat’s Innovation Zone and be available for discussion during a breakfast roundtable, Feb. 22 from 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. PST.

“In-Camera VFX poses unique challenges in acoustics, in that the stage often becomes an echo chamber,” said Erik Weaver, director of adaptive production for the Entertainment Technology Center at the University of Southern California and program co-creator for this year’s HPA Supersession. “VisiSonics’ spherical AV camera offers solutions that previously were only theoretical. We are excited to examine this product’s potential at HPA Tech Retreat 2022.”

The 5/64 Audio Visual Camera consists of five video cameras and 64 microphones mounted on the surface of an aluminum sphere. Using VisiSonics’ user-friendly FINDr software, the Audio Visual Camera  creates a visual panorama showing “hot spots” that highlight the location and pressure level of sounds. Although new to the film industry, VisiSonics’ acoustic diagnostics solutions are already used in the automotive, aerospace and venue architecture industries, as well as academia and research & development.

Virtual film production is extremely expensive, and even more so once principal photography commences. By using VisiSonics’ 5/64 Audio Visual Camera before shooting begins, production teams can measure sound and detect trouble spots, allowing for the mitigation of sound issues to minimize post-production or the need for automated dialogue replacement, known as ADR.

“Every performance is unique, so if a film crew fails to capture usable audio of an actor’s best take, it diminishes that magical moment, and the sound becomes difficult – and costly – to recreate,” said Adam O’Donovan, VisiSonics chief technology officer and co-founder. “The VisiSonics’ 5/64 Audio Visual Camera quickly shows sound engineers the precise origin of issues, allowing for mitigation and the more likely preservation of initially recorded dialogue.”

VisiSonics will demonstrate its entire portfolio of solutions in HPA Tech Retreat’s Innovation Zone, including its RealSpace 3D Spatial Audio, which can be used by consumer electronics manufacturers as well as content creators to enhance end-user performance.

About VisiSonics

VisiSonics is a 3D spatial audio technology company with a complete suite of products that enhance end-users’ performance and experience. Our offerings include 3D audio rendering, capture and analysis, and personalization software as well as acoustic measurement and visualization solutions. VisiSonics’ physics-based RealSpace 3D audio technology is licensed by consumer electronics brands, semiconductor manufacturers, game developers and the military. Our acoustic measurement and visualization solutions for Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) and industrial noise detection are used by top auto manufacturers, leading research institutions and the military. Millions worldwide rely on VisiSonics. Learn more at www.visisonics.com.

|

Join VisiSonics at CES January 5-7

Please join VisiSonics at our Hospitality Suite #3310 in the Venetian Palazzo Resort at CES, January 5-7, 2022  in Las Vegas

We will showcase our licensable audio solutions. VisisSonics RealSpace® 3D Spatial Audio, a proprietary physics-based technology, provides the most accurate rendered or digitally simulated sound in the industry, with more accurate spatial location and distance, smoother sound in motion, a larger sound field and clearer distinction of sounds from multiple, simultaneous sources. For an end-user, this results in increased situational or spatial awareness, reduced listener fatigue and improved reaction time.  RealSpace 3D Spatial Audio solutions and packages are easy to integrate into a variety of platforms and form factors.

Visitors to our suite can demo our:

  • Embedded 3D Spatial Audio Solutions
  • Software-only 3D Spatial Audio Solutions
  • Personalization Solutions
  • Acoustic Measurement and Visualization solutions

We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!

|

VisiSonics and THX to present at GameSoundCon 2021 – Nov. 10th

VisiSonics joins THX to discuss the “Dynamic Integration of Personalized HRTFs with THX Spatial Audio Plugins” at GameSoundCon 2021

Research performed worldwide shows that personalized HRTFs (pHRTFs) improve spatial perception for users for VR, XR, MxR and beyond (including traditional PC/Console/Mobile gaming.).

In partnership with THX, VisiSonics has developed a commercially and technologically viable solution that integrates a pHRTF cloud-based, technology platform into a new suite of THX branded Spatial Audio plugins for use by game developers for Unity, Unreal, Wwise and more, allowing pHRTFs to be dynamically ‘injected’ into the plugins.

VisiSonics’ VP of Product, Michel Henein, and Sr. Software Engineer, Rod Haxton, join THX’s Director of Product Development, Kasson Crooker, to describe the process of integrating the pHRTF backend into the spatial audio plugins as well as demonstrate the process of dynamically injecting pHRTFs. In addition, the presenters will demonstrate the 3D Spatial Audio features of the plugins, including dynamic switching between object based audio and high-order ambisonics rendering.

This session is live 1:00 – 2:00 pm PDT November 10, 2021.  All sessions will be available for off-hours viewing for registered attendees.

 Register now for GameSoundCon 2021, Nov 8-10 online.

|

Join VisiSonics at the Automotive Testing Expo October 26-28th.

Please join VisiSonics at booth #10030 at the Automotive Testing Expo October 26-28th in Novi, MI.

Our Acoustic Measurement and Visualization systems provide solutions for acoustic diagnostics including NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) and industrial noise detection.

Demo our industry-leading microphone array systems including the Worlds #1 Spherical Array for NVH.
________________________________________________

New! The VisiSonics Handheld Array, the ultimate in portability.

  • A truly cableless microphone array
  • Completely self -contained processing
  • Built-in NVH analysis
  • Easy touch screen interface for controlling all functions

Localize, Record, Analyze, Anywhere!
________________________________________________
VisiSonics – Experts in Automotive NVH Measurement & Analysis

VisiSonics technology allows users to locate the source of sound in minutes, helping automotive engineers perform better and more efficiently, saving time and money. Using the 5/64 Audio Visual Camera, you can isolate where sounds are coming from in a variety of test settings, such as test track, dyno or wind tunnel, quickly pinpointing potential problem areas and troubleshooting faster than ever before.