French company Akoustic Arts has developed a directional loudspeaker called A that only one person can hear at a time – without needing headphones.
A works by transposing sound frequencies, shifting audible sound into the ultrasonic realm. The resulting ultrasonic signal is then fired out like a laser beam from the A, at which point the signal will transpose itself back into audible sound but, crucially, retain its ultra-directional nature. The result is a speaker that lets you listen to loud music without disturbing those around you.
A smashed its Indiegogo funding target last year, but there’s no word on a release date – though as the product was on show at CES, it’s presumably not far off. We’re quite excited!
