Summary of SONOS ACQUIRES THE DATA-OVER-SOUND PIONEER, CHIRP
Sonos expanded its smart ecosystem by acquiring Chirp.io, a British firm specializing in data-over-sound technology. Founded in 2011 at University College London, Chirp developed robust acoustic communication solutions using Arm Cortex processors to enable low-cost device connectivity and proximity detection. This acquisition aims to enhance user experiences through seamless audio-based identification and provisioning. However, Sonos will discontinue public access to the Chirp SDK starting March 1st.
Parts used in the Sonos and Chirp.io Acquisition:
- Sonos wireless speaker company
- Chirp.io data-over-sound technology
- Arm Cortex –M7 processor
- Cortex-M4 processor
- Software-defined acoustic data transmission solutions
- Chirp SDK (Software Development Kit)
- Proximity detection applications
- Device provisioning systems
- Two-way acoustic NFC
The recent moves by Sonos can only be explained as targets towards expanding its connected ecosystem of smart devices and beyond. The wireless speaker company from Santa Barbara California, sometime last year acquired a French company that provides embedded assistants and interfaces for devices that run locally and offline. Of recent, the company set out to add to its league of acquisition the British data-over-sound company, Chirp.io.
Aimed at simplifying device-to-device connectivity via sound, Chirp, which was founded in 2011 at the Computer Science department of University College London, recognized the growing need for seamless low-cost, low power and frictionless communication between devices in the emerging IoT world. They pioneered a data-over-sound technology that creates simple-to-implement solutions to enhance connectivity and identification of machines. The technology helps to improve user experience and bring audio-capable devices into new possibilities thereby substantially lowering the cost for applications like proximity detection, device provisioning, and two-way acoustic NFC. They also capitalized on the digital signal processing capabilities of the Arm Cortex –M7 and Cortex-M4 to provide software-defined acoustic data transmission solutions which are quite robust and reliable, but not resource-intensive.
However, after working together with Sonos for a while now, Chirp has finally confirmed its been acquired by Sonos, describing it as “the perfect match for audio and wireless technology” since Sonos shares the same passion with them.
In an email sent to me, the chirp team mentioned that
Chirp has always held firm to a belief that robust, reliable data-over-sound could transform user experiences and bring new possibilities to audio-capable devices. Sonos shares this belief, alongside our common passions for engineering excellence, delightful user experience, and investment in research and development.
The Chirp team has expressed their pleasure in seeing developers use their SDKs in a number of imaginative applications, but made it clear that starting from March 1ST, the Chirp SDK will no longer be available for users to download.
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- What is the primary goal of Sonos acquiring Chirp?
To expand its connected ecosystem of smart devices and simplify device-to-device connectivity via sound. - How does Chirp technology improve user experience?
It enhances connectivity and machine identification while lowering costs for applications like proximity detection. - Which processors does Chirp utilize for its data transmission?
The technology capitalizes on the digital signal processing capabilities of the Arm Cortex –M7 and Cortex-M4. - When will the Chirp SDK no longer be available for download?
Starting from March 1st, the SDK will no longer be available for users to download. - Why did Sonos choose to acquire Chirp?
Both companies share a passion for engineering excellence, delightful user experience, and investment in research and development. - What specific problem does data-over-sound solve in the IoT world?
It provides seamless low-cost, low power, and frictionless communication between devices. - Can developers continue using Chirp SDKs after the acquisition?
No, the team confirmed that downloads will stop starting March 1st despite previous imaginative applications. - Where was Chirp originally founded?
It was founded in 2011 at the Computer Science department of University College London.
