Revolutionary speaker in line for innovation prize

A Warwickshire company pioneering the design of revolutionary ultra-thin and lightweight loudspeakers is hoping to amplify its success after being shortlisted for honours in the prestigious Lord Stafford Awards.
Warwick Audio Technologies, based at the University of Warwick Science Park in Coventry, is at the forefront of Thin-Film Speaker technology and its work has seen it nominated in the Achievement Through Innovation category of the awards.
The technology, developed in collaboration with the University of Warwick, is an entirely new way of projecting sound.
The ultra-thin and highly directional loudspeakers are set to redefine the way sound is applied and incorporated across many industries. At less than 0.25mm thick, the core technology is thinner than any other flat panel speaker currently available and can be made in virtually any shape or size, from a few square centimetres to several square metres in area.
Steve Couchman, Warwick Audio Technologies’ Chief Executive, said: “The Flat Flexible Loudspeakers (FFL) offer significant benefits to the Public Address, Audio-Visual and Hi-Fi markets and we are currently in talks with well over 100 top companies with a view to working with them.”
Businesses in the electronics, aerospace, automotive, engineering and entertainment sectors are also speaking to the company with a view to improving their own products and services.
“Aircraft companies are very interested because of the weight-saving benefits of the FFL. When you think that there can be hundreds of speakers on board a conventional aircraft that can add up to a lot of weight. Our system is more lightweight and therefore has many benefits.”
“The ability of the FFL to provide directional sound means the product will solve real problems and reduce noise pollution emanating from PA systems near residential housing, for example, near to rail stations. With this in mind, one of the organisations we are talking to is London Underground which is having a problem where overground public addresses overspill into the environment,” said Steve.
But as well as saving weight, FFLs are also more energy efficient than traditional loudspeakers and work off of just 200 milliwatts.
The FFL speakers will be able to be mounted inside places where audio has not been heard before or to give an improved sound ambiance.
Other applications could see the speakers used in the headlining of vehicles; in public spaces as PA speakers for flat and column surfaces; in board rooms and auditoriums to give more evenly distributed sound and in digital signage and point of sale displays, exhibits and advertising posters to provide smart audio messages.
The company’s vision is to be the leading supplier of thin film sound panels in a market that analysts are predicting to grow to US $4.2billion in 2010. Warwick Audio will target sectors in this market, estimated to be worth $1billion.
Collaboration has been an important part of the project with the company receiving help not just from the University of Warwick and the associated Science Park but from UK design and manufacturing companies, Connect Midlands, the non-profit network that assists technology companies and Government organisations such as the Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands.
The loudspeakers were launched to market in April and quickly received acclaim.
“Collectively, we dealt with hundreds of enquiries ranging from potential customers, many wanting to buy the product off the shelf, through to news agencies, design companies, amplifier manufacturers and consultants,” said Steve.
At the moment there are just four employees but the business plan envisages this increasing rapidly over the next five years as the product is developed. It is anticipated there could be 45 employees by then and the company is aiming for a £30 million turnover. Since April it has generated a turnover of £10,000 but has recently attracted £1.5 million of investment to allow it to develop the business.
Collaboration with the University of Warwick has been crucial to the development of the technology and also to the success of Warwick Audio. The university, in the early days, assisted the Company by patenting the technology but this has since been fully assigned to the Company and the Company has built on this intellectual property with a further patent.
“Winning the award would be amazing and it would be fitting recognition of all the hard work put in by everyone. It would also legitimise the business in the eyes of investors and help us to network with other companies,” said Steve.
Lord Stafford, Patron of the Awards, said: “I think everybody can see the benefits of technology like this, not only in the home but in public places as well.
“The collaboration with the University of Warwick has clearly been key to the success of this product which is exactly the reason the Lord Stafford Awards exists.”