RALEIGH – Raleigh-based Valencell, which makes wearable biometric sensor technology, is joining forces with Sonion, a global leader in micro-acoustic technologies for hearing instruments, to make biometrics universal in hearing health and consumer markets.
The companies say their strategic partnership will expand the boundaries for use of biometric sensors in the ear. Roskilde, Denmark-based Sonion will optimize Valencell’s advanced biometric sensor modules for hearables and wearables for size, power consumptions and cost for in-ear and on-ear applications.
The partnership will focus on designing, developing, and making biometric sensing ear modules for the medical, hearing health, consumer and professional communications markets.
Ryan Kraudel, vice president of marketing at Valencell, told WRAL Techwire in an email, “The partnership is a reflection of the ongoing convergence between the consumer wearables/hearables market and health and medical devices, particularly as hearing aids get smarter and hearables get more capabilities.”
Markets poised for steady growth
Sonion’s manufacturing expertise in miniaturized components for ear-based device is expected to result in significant reductions in the size, cost and power consumption of sensors that monitor continuous heart rate, blood pressure, and other medical and fitness related functions in ear-level devices.
The markets for hearables and hearing health devices is predicted to show steady growth. The consumer hearables segment is expected to grow at 48 percent CAGR through 2022, according to IDC. Hearing health markets are predicted to increase 22 percent over the same period, according to Orbis Research.com.
Michael Deering, CEO of Valencell said in a statement, “This partnership with Sonion brings tremendous value to the hearables and hearing health markets as well as to our current and future customers and partners. Sonion brings worldclass expertise and capabilities in hearing health component development, manufacturing and distribution.”
Valencell’s customers include Sony, Samsung, LG, Bose, Jabra, Suunto, Scosche and many others.
Previously on WRAL Techwire:
