HARMAN Introduces Sonique Far Field Voice Input Technology for CE, Enterprise, and Robotics Applications
Sonique is a total voice solution that includes a customizable, high performance microphone array, a suite of voice algorithms to accurately capture voice commands, even in high ambient noise environments, and integration with popular natural voice engines, and low distortion speakers.
SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, today announced a new Far Field Voice Input Technology, called Sonique. This technology is intended for the fast-growing market of devices in the Consumer Electronics, Enterprise, and Robotics spaces that utilize voice commands, rather than traditional physical inputs via buttons, keyboard inputs, or mouse clicks.
HARMAN is expecting the market for devices with voice input capability to exceed $7 billion by 2024. Tremendous growth in voice-controlled devices is expected in several areas, including home hubs, conferencing, healthcare, and robotics.
Sonique is a total voice solution that includes a customizable, high performance microphone array, a suite of voice algorithms to accurately capture voice commands, even in high ambient noise environments, and integration with popular natural voice engines, and low distortion speakers.
"HARMAN is a world leader in connected technology," said Dave Rogers, Senior Vice President, Consumer Audio. "The addition of Sonique to our technology portfolio positions HARMAN to take a leading role in the global growth of voice activated devices. We are very excited about Sonique and the business opportunities this important technology delivers."
Sonique will initially be offered in three configurations for specific use-cases. The first configuration will be a two-mic solution. This robust configuration is intended primarily for consumer electronics applications, such as a home hub, which can be easily integrated into a music device, TV set-top box, or an internet router. The two-mic configuration is designed for high quality voice inputs at distances up to 4 meters (12 feet).
The second Sonique configuration is a four-mic solution. This configuration is designed for premium home applications, enterprise applications, and robotics applications. The four-mic configuration is for voice inputs at distances up to 6 meters (18 feet).
The third configuration is a seven-mic solution. This configuration is designed for high performance applications, mostly for enterprise and robotics. Featuring a suite of high performance algorithms, the seven-mic solution is for voice inputs at distances up to 8 meters (24 feet) with high ambient noise.
Sonique will integrate with all natural voice engines that are available for public use. Amazons Alexa and Microsofts Cortana are available now. We expect to integrate with other natural voice engines, such as Baidu, Iflytech, Google Assistant, SoundHound, and Siri in the near future.
Sonique is available for integration into voice-controlled devices now. An initial application will be the recently announced Harman Kardon Invoke™ smart speaker with Microsoft Cortana.
Sonique is featured at the HARMAN booth (#1722, Hall 1) at CES Asia. For additional information, please visit our website, www.embedded.harman.com.
About HARMAN:
HARMAN International (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
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