At the core of the health monitoring breakthrough is USound’s Audioplethysmography (APG) technology, which uses special signals emitted by MEMS speakers to monitor vital signs such as heart rate. Unlike traditional optical methods, APG leverages existing in-ear device components, eliminating the need for additional hardware.
“USound’s APG technology represents a transformative leap for in-ear devices,” states Ferruccio Bottoni, USound’s CEO and co-founder. “This new development revolutionizes the TWS industry, offering product developers the ability to enable state-of-the-art vital signs detection features without the need to integrate additional components. In the near future, users will enjoy Hi-Res audio and precise vital signs detection at the same time; a development that revolutionizes both the in-ear audio and health monitoring markets.”
USound's APG technology is engineered to integrate effortlessly with its range of standalone MEMS speakers, as well as its two-way audio modules, co-developed with either OBO Pro2 or Luxshare-ICT. This flexibility allows product developers to integrate cutting-edge health monitoring features into their devices, whether leveraging standalone or modular designs.
Traditional TWS devices with active noise cancellation (ANC) already include inward-facing microphones. USound’s solution builds on this existing implementation by pairing its MEMS speakers with proprietary algorithms. These speakers emit inaudible signals, enabling simultaneous Hi-Res audio playback and health monitoring without compromising audio quality. According to USound, the results of APG testing so far have shown extreme precision, comparable to industry-standard ECG devices used in sports applications. An in-ear prototype of this technology is under development and will be available for testing by mid-2025.
Thanks to its miniaturization, Conamara MEMS speakers are approximately 30 times smaller than the typical ultrasonic transducer, removing barriers for industrial design with its slim package. As USound’s product manager Kristóf Dornbach shares, “the ability to emit a wide range of frequencies on the same output level with a single Conamara speaker is opening brand new avenues in ultrasonic signal modulation. Engineers can finally optimize their design to the frequency point or range they find to be the best fit for their application and not to the limited options transducer manufacturers normally offer. Additionally, utilizing a speaker suitable for use in both the audible and ultrasonic range can introduce new ultrasonic features for products that would traditionally be limited to just the audible range.”
Ultrasonic Micro Module
USound’s latest MEMS-based ultrasonic module was another of the company’s innovations showcased at CES 2025. The company presented its fully developed ultrasonic sensing module, a ready-to-deploy solution with accurate ranging and proximity detection capabilities. The module integrates USound’s Conamara MEMS tweeter driven by the Tarvos amplifier, paired with a third-party MEMS microphone. USound’s firmware processes the ultrasonic waves emitted by the tweeter, measures the time taken for the reflected waves to return, and calculates the distance with high accuracy.
“This ultrasonic module highlights the versatility of USound’s MEMS speakers and their ability to deliver solutions beyond audio,” explains Bottoni. “Built with standard components and powered by our proprietary firmware, this product is ready for deployment in commercial applications requiring precise distance measurement and proximity sensing. In 2025, USound will unveil several ready-to-deploy audio and ultrasound applications, demonstrating the full potential of our MEMS technology across industries.”
With only 5mm diameter and 1.5mm thickness, the integrated device meets stringent space constraints, while the low-power Tarvos amplifier supports energy-efficient operation. According to USound, the solution is also ideal for a wide range of embedded applications, including consumer electronics, robotics, connected devices, and industrial sensing solutions.
Visitors at the USound suite at The Venetian during CES 2025 also had the opportunity to learn more about another breakthrough; the ability to drive USound speakers without DC bias. This recent development enables developers to reach a higher sound pressure level (SPL) performance. Moreover, the zero VDC circuit is reduced by four components, providing a more straightforward and low-cost implementation.
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