Small energy-efficient MEMS microspeakers for innovative consumer use cases

Bosch Sensortec and Hahn-Schickard have set themselves the challenge for new technologies needed to enable innovative audio and voice-based consumer applications. The companies are collaborating on developing next-generation microelectromechanical (MEMS) speakers.

Smaller than traditional speakers, more powerful with lower energy consumption – these novel MEMS microspeakers satisfy the market demands of the 'Internet of Voice', the voice-controlled internet, and provide innovative use cases.

The two development partners complement each other with their expertise: Bosch Sensortec is a major provider of MEMS sensors for consumer electronics and offers extensive experience in the development and industrialisation of high-volume MEMS products. The application-oriented research institute Hahn-Schickard draws on many years of experience developing MEMS innovations and its small-scale production with its state-of-the-art clean room.

"We are thrilled to be working with a global player like Bosch Sensortec to advance one of the biggest MEMS topics of the future. This cooperation shows once again how much trust the industry has in Hahn-Schickard's competence and expertise," said Alfons Dehé, Hahn-Schickard Institute director in Villingen-Schwenningen and Georg H. Endress Professor at the University of Freiburg, Germany.

"Research collaborations are a promising approach for the development of innovative technologies," says Dr Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO of Bosch Sensortec. "The collaboration with Hahn-Schickard allows us to expand our expertise in MEMS microspeakers. This strengthens our market position as a leading manufacturer of sensor solutions for consumer electronics and positions us as a key player for mobile and audio-based applications for the internet of tomorrow."

The companies have already been working together for several years on many projects. With the current cooperation, Hahn-Schickard will supply a key role in developing acoustic microsystems that help complement Bosch Sensortec's MEMS sensor portfolio for consumer electronics.