Produced by the Japanese company Fujitsu, this is a device that helps people "hear" the world around them through vibrations
On the surface it looks like a simple hair clip, but in reality Ontenna is a tool that could change the lives of many people. It is a device that, by combining a number of technologies, helps those with some hearing problems to "hear" the sounds coming from the environment.
The wearable, made by Fujitsu, a well-known Japanese company, was presented for the first time last year. At that time Ontenna was just a prototype, but soon it might come to the market. Fujitsu is ready to produce, to begin with, 1000 units. Ontenna is not a real hearing aid. The hair clip, in fact, does not amplify noise. Instead, the wearable device vibrates, replicating the rhythm and intensity of sound. For example, if a cell phone rings, Ontenna will emit oscillations thus drawing the person's attention. The particular aspect of the wearable is that the strength of the vibrations changes according to the sound.
Features of Ontenna
Ontenna is composed mainly of three elements: a microphone, which is used to pick up environmental noises, a light that accompanies the vibrations, and, finally, an atypical feedback, an instrument that emits the oscillations and allows the person to "feel" the sound. Ontenna is capable of returning up to 256 different feedbacks. This means that numerous sounds can be processed. The wearable, like a normal hair clip, integrates a clip. And the hair plays a key role since tests carried out by the company have shown that they provide better sound conduction.
Price
Ontenna will be launched in two versions. There will be the one that integrates Bluetooth, allowing the device to connect with the smartphone, and a basic one, which will not have, instead, any connectivity. The starting price of the wearable device will be low and should not exceed $100 (less than €90, according to the current exchange rate).