Ontenna smart hair clip that can help people with hearing challenge sense sound

Ontenna is a brand new device which is worn on the hair like a hairpin, and through vibrations and light, will transmit the unique features of sound to the user. The concept of this device is to “experience sound through strands of hair, much like the whiskers of a cat can sense movements in the air,” and has been developed in co-operation with hearing challanged persons.

new device developed by Fujitsu called the Ontenna, allows sound to be transmitted through vibrations and light via a hair clip.

By converting sound pressure in the range of 30dB to 90dB into 256 levels of vibrations and light intensity, the unique features of a sound are transmitted to the user. By converting the cadence pattern of a sound source in real time into vibrations and light, a user can experience the sensation of a sound’s rhythms, its patterns, and its volume.

<p>The built-in microphone detects sound from the surrounding area</p> — The built-in microphone detects sound from the surrounding area

<p>The detected sound pressure is converted into 256 levels of vibrations and light</p> — The detected sound pressure is converted into 256 levels of vibrations and light

<p>The rhythms and patterns of the sound can be experienced as sensations through your hair</p> — The rhythms and patterns of the sound can be experienced as sensations through your hair

In future, the plan is to makOntenna programmable, so that it can become compatible with a variety of situations necessary for users, our goal is to evolve this device so that it can create new sensory experiences.

Ontenna, which will go into production later this year, uses haptic feedback to help people with hearing challenge interpret the audial world around them.

<p><strong>An earring type Ontenna</strong><br />
The wearer can sense vibrations on their ear lobe.</p> — The rhythms and patterns of the sound can be experienced as sensations through your hair

In future, the plan is to makOntenna programmable, so that it can become compatible with a variety of situations necessary for users, our goal is to evolve this device so that it can create new sensory experiences.

Ontenna, which will go into production later this year, uses haptic feedback to help people with hearing challenge interpret the audial world around them.