Synaptics Teams up with Baidu in Launch of DuerOS Mobile Platform for Bluetooth Speakers, Headphones, and Wearables

Synaptics announced its AudioSmart far-field voice DSPs have been selected by Baidu, the leading Chinese language Internet search provider, for its new DuerOS Mobile Accessory (DMA) platform recently announced at the Baidu Create 2018 AI Developer Conference. Market applications enabled by combining Synaptics' low-power far-field voice DSP, with a Bluetooth connectivity IC and DuerOS, Baidu’s conversational AI system, includes a wide-variety of on-the-go products including Bluetooth speakers, headphones, wearables and automotive accessories.

Synaptics announced its second-generation AudioSmart digital headset SoC solution for USB Type-C headphones is now shipping in mass production with a major OEM and designed-in with multiple other smartphone makers. Leading the trend of eliminating the legacy analog 3.5mm headphone jack is Huawei, who selected Synaptics’ latest CX2198x family for its flagship P20 and P20 Pro smartphones.

NXP has teamed up with Arrow Electronics, Synaptics and Amazon to develop the Synaptics AudioSmart 2-Mic and NXP Pico i.MX7Dual Development Kit for Amazon Alexa Voice Service (AVS). This newly available development kit is one of the first to be qualified with production-ready system-on-chip (SoC), voice processor, and the AVS Device SDK. It enables device makers to quickly and cost-effectively integrate Alexa into a fully functioning prototype and then take that work into design for manufacturing and production.

TDK Corporation showcased a Synaptics AudioSmart solution for voice recognition, using InvenSense high performance MEMS microphones. The ICS-40212 and ICS-40720 analog output and the ICS-41350 PDM digital output MEMS microphones are approved for use with Synaptics AudioSmart Amazon Voice Services (AVS) solution. TDK also announced the worldwide availability of its SmartMotion Platform encompassing 4 unique development kits with multiple sensors.

Vesper, developer of the world’s most advanced piezoelectric acoustic sensors, announced a collaboration with Synaptics Incorporated, to improve developers’ ability to create ultra-durable, high-performance and highly stable voice interfaces for Amazon Alexa Voice Service (AVS) devices. Synaptics has selected Vesper piezoelectric MEMS microphones for its two- and four-microphone Amazon AVS development kits.

The market for anything related to far-field voice solutions has never been hotter, and acquisitions are a natural result of the increasing demand for those cutting edge technologies and engineering talent. Conexant Systems, a leading provider of audio and voice technology solutions based in Irvine, CA, announced an agreement to be acquired by Synaptics. Meanwhile, Synaptics also acquired the video and audio processing division of Marvell Technology Group.