LG develops automotive audio system which can be solely millimeters thick

Cumbersome automotive audio system and speaker grilles may change into a factor of the previous if LG’s new Skinny Actuator Sound Answer know-how takes off.

The Skinny Actuator Sound Answer is a speaker roughly the dimensions of a passport and measuring simply 0.1 inch thick and with a weight of roughly 1.4 ounce. LG was in a position to develop the interior staff by leveraging its film-type exciter know-how utilized in digital shows.

As a substitute of vibrating a cone like in a traditional speaker, the skinny speaker’s distinctive know-how allows it to vibrate supplies discovered contained in the automotive. LG mentioned the speaker might be put in in varied parts across the cabin, such because the dashboard, headliner, roof pillars, headrests, and even show panels. A number of models might be put in to create an immersive, 3D sound expertise, the corporate mentioned.

The sunshine and compact design means automotive designers will have the ability to unlock house inside the cabin, whereas additionally decreasing a car’s curb weight.

There’s one extra profit: LG mentioned the Skinny Actuator Sound Answer additionally avoids utilizing uncommon earth supplies equivalent to neodymium, which is a typical materials in typical audio system.

LG plans to showcase the Skinny Actuator Sound Answer at 2023 Client Electronics Present in January and mentioned the speaker will probably be commercialized beginning within the first half of 2023.

LG is not the primary firm to showcase such know-how, although it is prone to change into the primary to commercialize it at scale. German corporations Continental and Sennheiser offered comparable know-how on the 2020 CES, however the firms have not rolled out a manufacturing model.