According to Warwick Acoustics, the company's unique electrostatic audio panels optimized for automotive applications (the company is already recognized for this technology applied to high-end headphones) are now in the final phases of industrialization for the first customers of this new proprietary technology. The panels are 90% lighter and use 90% less energy than traditional automotive speakers.
The new Warwickshire site was confirmed as the base for the required industrial expansion following a successful £7m funding round. The new energy efficient facility will be powered by 100% renewable electricity, and also includes a state-of-the-art design center to accommodate design and project management teams.
The selection of the 100% renewable powered MTP site further enhances the sustainability credentials of the patented technology, which is made using upcycled materials and is 100% by mass recyclable and free from rare earth elements. The new building coincides with the construction of a 7MW solar farm by the site owners, which will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 2300 houses.
"We have been based at MTP since 2018 and it has been a superb site for us to conduct the research, development and initial manufacturing of our products. As we enter series production, we are very proud to significantly expand our operations here. Manufacturing our product where we are based is important to us, not only for ensuring the sustainability and quality of our output, but also because UK production offers real global competitiveness from where we can challenge industry norms in this huge $8bn global market," Warwick Acoustics’ CEO Mike Grant says.
"Here in the Midlands, Warwick Acoustics is supported by Midlands-based venture capital firm Mercia Asset Management plc, as well as the Midlands Engine initiative. We also sit in a region that has a highly skilled automotive talent pool, allowing us to recruit the best qualified and experienced candidates to develop and grow this business. Business growth is our key focus following the successful completion of a £7m funding round, enabling the next step in our strategy to deliver a fundamental shift in the in-cabin audio experience," he expands.
With eight granted patent families and two further patents pending, the British-designed and manufactured electrostatic audio technology from Warwick Acoustics answers the pressing demand for efficient in-car audio systems, moving away from the traditional format of moving coil speakers.
The unique and patented electrostatic panels have been engineered from the ground up to be applied explicitly to electric vehicles (EVs). The multi-year development of this new technology is perfectly timed with OEMs’ rapid transition to electrification and life cycle sustainability. Warwick Acoustics' development team combines over 200 years of experience in technology and in-car audio sectors at brands such as Sony, Bose, Harman Automotive, Meridian Audio, McLaren Automotive and JLR.
www.warwickacoustics.com
