ACETT
(Auditory Communication Enhancement Through Touch)
A SEED project funded through RIF (Research and Innovation Foundation) under the “Restart 2016-2020” (SEED/0719(B)/0090).
Specific Objectives
- Development of prototype up to Technological Readiness Level 7/8
- Development of optimal product outlook and ergonomics by recruiting potential customers and users in the design process (User-Driven-Design).
- Implementation of a solid market and communication strategy that will enable market penetration through a B2B business model.
- Reach company growth and sustainability through building of lasting connections to industry and recruitment of new company members.
What it Does
ACETT enables listening through touch by converting the sounds of the environment including speech, into vibrations that the users feel on their hands. Deaf and Hard of Hearing People receive a unique sound experience through the device, which enhances their awareness of the sounds around them.
Solution
The innovative solution uses sensors, actuators, and an interface, which is in contact to the user’s skin. The proprietary method developed by IREROBOT, measures sound signals which are processed and transformed in advance, and then through the interface are delivered on the skin as vibrations.
Beta-Testing
During the development process, ACETT was tested in situations similar to the intended use, by our beta-testers. Our group of beta-testers consists out of three hearing impaired people who provided us with their suggestions for improvement in each development phase. All of there comments were considered during ACETT development to form a product that meets their needs.
ISO Certification
IREROBOT sent the ACETT device for CE Marking Specific tests in Greece, which in addition to the clinical tests will allow us to eventually register the devices as medical device class I and be able have our first sales in early 2024.
Smaller and Better
In the meantime, a new version of ACETT is under development, and aims to be slimmer, more neat, and effective. The existing device will be distributed as a pilot release, to receive users’ feedback and use it for creating a better version.
Clinical Study
Clinical Studies were initiated with some pilot testing with severe and profound hearing-impaired individuals. ACETT device is used during the tests, and the performance of the participants in recognizing words is evaluated. Some first results obtained from the tests, represent a trend of improvement in words recognition when ACETT is activated in comparison with when it is de-activated.
Patents
Two patent claims based on ACETT technology were created, and are currently revised from a specialized law office.
PCT applications are in process and planned to be filed-in soon.
Training Software
Become better with your ACETT device, by training HERE .
IREROBOT LTD team is currently implementing their know-how for vibrotactile and haptic feedback to build new products in the fields of XR (Extended Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), smartphones, smartwatches, etc.
Contact: Evagoras Xydas, evagoras.xydas@irerobot.com
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