June 18, 2013

A microphone that listens with light



A sensor developed in Norway gives microphones hyper-acute hearing and a sense of direction.

A sensor developed by scientists at SINTEF’s MiNaLab will help to make microphones hypersensitive:
“Think of traditional videoconference equipment. Several people are sitting around the table, but the microphone has been placed where its sound reception is less than optimal.

With technology of this sort, a microphone will be able to “see” where the sound comes from, pick up the voice of the person speaking, and filter out other sources of noise in the room,” explains ICT researcher Matthieu Lacolle, who emphasises that acoustics scientists at SINTEF have also contributed to this innovative solution.