MEMS and Other Leading-Edge Devices for Wearables - 2021 Update

In this article for Voice Coil, Mike Klasco (Menlo Scientific) recaps MEMS Drivers and related hot technologies for 2021, providing an update about products and companies that stood out in 2020. The article, which summarizes the more extensive reports published by audioXpress in January 2020 and 2021, looks at the impact of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for audio and discusses the implications for other game-changing technologies that reduce size, increase performance, extend battery life, and enhance features and functionality in headphones, wearables and compact speakers.

MEMS microspeakers and earphone drivers could threaten incumbent audio technologies by 2025 as consumers desire smaller and less power-hungry devices. Four billion devices with seven billion speakers were shipped during 2020, it has been estimated, across multiple sectors, including automotive, mobile phones, home AV, and many others. MEMS speakers could revolutionize the audio industry, thanks to their small form factor and low power capabilities, according to market analyst SAR Insight & Consulting.

USound, the Austrian company pioneering MEMS audio technology, has developed its next generation of MEMS speakers, surpassing market demands with its IPX8 water submersion resistance. Directly targeting wearable and hearable devices, these next-generation MEMS speakers withstand permanent submersion in water and are ready to power more efficient, low-power earbuds. USound also reports full bandwidth reproduction from a single MEMS speaker and competitive sound pressure level with no magnetic field or heat generation.

Following a year of private demonstrations of its novel MEMS speaker design, xMEMS Labs is now coming out of stealth mode with is first piezo-MEMS speaker. Montara is the name for what the company claims to be "the world’s first true MEMS speaker," using a monolithic process that eliminates calibration and driver matching, and is SMT-ready. Montara also offers full-bandwidth (20Hz-20kHz), and is fully water, dust and shock resistant.

Austrian microspeaker company USound has just received an additional equity tranche increasing the last financing round to $30 million. According to the company, these added funds will accelerate the evolution of the next MEMS microspeaker generation, with the potential to boost the battery life of wireless earbuds and other wearable devices up to 12 hours. USound hopes to enable a market transition from electrodynamic drivers to solid-state technology with the next-generation of its Ganymede piezoelectric MEMS.

STMicroelectronics and USound, an innovative and fast-growing audio company from Austria, have delivered the first silicon micro-speakers resulting from their technology collaboration, announced early 2017. The two companies confirmed that they are ready to enter volume production, engineering samples are now with lead customers, and trade demonstrations will take place during CES 2018, in Las Vegas.