Bosch Launches World’s Smallest MEMS Accelerometers for Wearables and Hearables

Meeting the market momentum for hearables that combine bone conduction, Bosch Sensortec has announced the new BMA530 and BMA580 MEMS accelerometers, currently the world’s smallest devices of this type, with just 1.2 x 0.8 x 0.55mm³. This is also an easy-to-integrate variant with voice activity detection, saving power and extending battery life, while allowing advanced audio processing features.

TDK Corporation announced the availability of its InvenSense VibeSense360 TWS solution suite, previewed at CES 2023. VibeSense360 is a comprehensive portfolio of TDK hardware and software solutions designed to help solve some of the most complicated problems OEMs face when designing true wireless stereo (TWS) products with state-of-the-art features. On the hardware VibeSense360 includes the TWS-M601 6-axis IMU, and the TWS-M602 device, combining IMU, accelerometer and machine learning on-chip.

STMicroelectronics has announced the LSM6DSV16BX, a unique highly integrated sensor that delivers important space savings inside hearable devices or general-purpose TWS earbuds, including for sports. The new device delivers longer listening experiences and superior hearing by combining a 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) for head tracking and activity detection with an audio accelerometer for detecting voice through bone conduction in a frequency range that exceeds 1KHz.

Vesper continues to redefine its range of MEMS solutions for voice applications with the launch of the VA1210, Vesper’s 2nd generation analog piezoelectric smart voice accelerometer. The VA1210 offers higher sensitivity (+17 dB) and higher (+6 dB) SNR than the 1st generation VA1200 in voice pickup. Additionally, new intelligent features of Wake-on-Voice (WoV) and hardware voice activity detection (HVAD), introduced into the VA1210, enable a drastic improvement of voice quality True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds.

Good news for designers of Bluetooth earbuds and hearables relying on Qualcomm’s audio SoCs and looking for differentiating features. Their products can now offer improved voice clarity in noisy or windy environments using Alango’s OnlyVoice advanced technology for true wireless earbuds and high-performance headsets. Also available on QCC5141 is VoiceFirst, which improves speech intelligibility in movies through de-emphasis of background sounds and music.

Vesper introduced the VA1200, which the company calls the world’s first analog piezoelectric voice accelerometer (a.k.a. bone conduction sensor). This low-power vibration sensor can be used in true wireless earbud designs to pick up the wearer’s own voice through bone conduction. Using the VA1200 in conjunction with a standard microphone and a sensor fusion solution, the application can achieve superior background and wind noise reduction. Vesper calls this combination OnePlusOne.