Designed for Growth: Enabling Product Differentiation for TWS Development

Knowles announced the availability of a new development kit for true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds, centered on the capabilities of its AISonic family of audio edge-AI processors and expanded by key partnerships in voice and audio processing algorithms for TWS products. This article details the opportunities for TWS development and helping manufacturers to differentiate their newest designs. This article was originally published in audioXpress, January 2022.

Fluent.ai announced its collaboration with Knowles Corporation to deliver AI-powered voice control for True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds and other hearable products, fully on-device. Running on Knowles' AISonic processors, providing a small footprint embedded technology for edge AI, the solution allows developers to implement noise robust voice commands to trigger TWS actions in any language or accent, without the need for an Internet connection or accompanying smartphone app.

AIStorm, a pioneer of AI-in-Sensor SoCs for edge devices, announced a development partnership with Knowles Corporation. The collaboration will focus on achieving the lowest-power, highest-performance audio solutions available to enable emerging features. AIStorm’s patented analog and mixed-signal IP, combined with Knowles’ audio signal processing technology and advanced micro-acoustic microphones and speakers, bring enhanced audio features and power savings to mobile, true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds, and connected devices.

Knowles Corporation announced the AISonic White Goods Standard Solution, a new, complete development solution that enables fast and easy voice integration for smart appliances. The development kit enables OEM and ODMs to build voice-activated control and far-field speech recognition capabilities into smart appliances, including refrigerators, ovens and microwaves, clothes washing and drying machines, vacuums, dishwashers, and more.

Waves confirmed that its MaxxAudio Sound enhancement technology is now available on the newest Knowles AISonic Audio Edge Processor, the IA8201. The joint solution makes it easy for design engineers to integrate studio-quality sound into consumer electronics products. Knowles joins an expanding list of chip partners for Waves, supporting developers working to enhance sound on mobile devices, premium smartphones and smart peripherals featuring augmented reality (AR) and gaming.

Knowles Corporation announced the IA8201, the latest product in its Knowles AISonic family of audio edge processors. The IA8201 offers robust voice activation and multi-microphone audio processing optimized for power-sensitive applications, and is the first processor specifically designed for advanced audio and machine learning applications, enhancing power-efficient intelligence and privacy at the network’s edge. This processor has the compute power to perform advanced audio output, context awareness and gesture control for today’s most advanced consumer electronics.