Innovation continuity of next generation voice communication and safety solution for the construction, transport and industrial sector.

Noto Technologies (trading as Mobilus Labs) is dedicated to developing a new generation of hands-free voice communications systems that exploit the principle of bone conduction hearing. This well known method is based on sensors in contact with the skull just behind the ears. Crucially, bone conduction systems enable the user to hear and speak to communications systems while the ear remains unobstructed. Mobilus are exploiting this principle and are focused on developing communications systems that people can use while they are wearing personal protective equipment, such as hard-hats or breathing respirators. Mobilus is currently focused on developing a bone conduction communication module that clips onto the standard headband of a hard-hat. This clip-on module makes it possible for the wearer to have a normal phone conversation, while wearing ear defenders, regardless of the level of background noise in their vicinity.

Mobilus has developed an advanced prototype of the communicator using investor and Innovate UK funds (Open project #9045, completed December 2019). The success of this project has led to a surge in demand with multiple requests for extended field trials in the industrial sector, specifically applications for Construction, Transport, and Energy. This also includes a signed supplier agreement with a US conglomerate to integrate the Mobilus audio technology into their "smart hard-hat" product which integrates augmented reality smart glasses (Microsoft Hololens 2) into a hard hat for remote expert applications.

The outcome of the previous IUK funded project enabled the company to demonstrate its core bone conduction wearable technology to a TRL 5. Further R&D in multiple parts of the tech stack is required before the product is fully ready to be deployed in operational environments. These areas of further R&D include:

Improvements to the bone conduction microphone for operation in environments with noise above +95dB.
Embedded hands free and speech recognition interface.
Software defined radio application development
R&D to meet international standards, such as ATEX, for operation in Hazardous Locations.
Prepare design for manufacture (DFM) of Mobilus wearable.
The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the company's ability to raise sufficient investment from outside investors, as investor confidence has dissolved globally. The enclosed Innovate UK loan enables the business to resolve immediate cash flow challenges and provide vital match finance to complete the R&D to meet the expectations of commercial clients.