Business overview

HiWave develops, makes and sells electronic components for audio and haptic human interface applications. HiWaveʼs expertise encompasses the physical transducer that creates sensation for the user with bending waves, the electronic control systems that deliver the signals to the transducer, and the algorithms in the form of software or firmware that brings Bending Wave Physics to life. The coalescence of these capabilities makes HiWave unique in its ability to offer total technology solutions for aural and tactile human interface.

Audio

HiWaveʼs flagship audio transducer is its Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) speaker driver. Using bending wave techniques to control modal function of its panel, the result is a quality and depth of sound that belies its physical size. Moreover BMR is a full audio frequency range loudspeaker with amazingly wide dispersion. Coupled with HiWaveʼs Audium amplifier technology - a novel ultra-efficient audio power amplifier chip - designers now have the opportunity to develop top quality loudspeaker systems that consume a fraction of the power of conventional ones, enabling new genres of audio products. HiWave sells BMRs in different audio power ratings and Audium amplifier chips stand-alone or built into modules for straightforward design-ins.

HiWaveʼs range of exciters enable flat panels to be turned into bending wave loudspeakers to deliver audio in a wide variety of challenging applications where space and form factor is an issue. Our exciters are in action in cars and aircraft, toys and games, consumer electronics and industrial applications. HiWave sells a range of size and output power exciters.

Haptics

HiWave is leading the way in enabling quality haptic, or tactile, response from flat panels and displays as used in hand-held telecoms and tablet computng. Haptics is set to transform the usability of touch screen-enabled consumer products, enhancing usersʼ productivity and improving accessibility of hand-held devices for visually impaired people. Haptics will also bring a greater depth of control to white goods, security systems, and industrial controllers.

HiWaveʼs Bending Wave Physics delivers accurate tactile response to give the user the most life-like key-press sensation from a flat surface, and also simultaneously enables the same surface as a loudspeaker for audio interaction. HiWave has developed both haptic exciters and haptic control modules that combine to give developers the most compelling solution. The exciters transfer the physical waveforms to the touch panel, and the control module interfaces with the system electronics to deliver the haptic signals stored in the form of complex mathematical algorithms to the exciter. The module also routes external audio, or sound cues and voice prompts to the panel.

HiWave has launched its first haptic exciter and controller components in 2010 for production in early 2011.