Chipmaker Syntiant Corp. has agreed to purchase Knowles Corp.’s consumer micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) microphones division for $150 million.
The ultra-tiny Knowles microphones detect sound and sense vibrations in the air and turn them into an electrical signal.
The microphones are essential for voice and audio applications in smartphones, smart speakers and wearables among other market segments, including autos and household appliances. They will be integrated with Syntiant’s chips, which enable smart devices to recognize voices and sounds, such as in the Ring Alarm Glass Break Sensor.
The Syntiant chips’ range has been extended for more audio, visual and sensing detection, all while consuming low power.
“We believe almost every microphone of the future will be AI-enabled, as large language models continue to revolutionize industries by improving natural language understanding and automating complex tasks,” Syntiant Chief Executive Kurt Busch said in a statement.
“This acquisition will clearly strengthen our product portfolio, tapping into a multi-billion-dollar MEMS market, at the same time enabling Syntiant to offer comprehensive, end-to-end solutions that integrate sensors [microphones], processors and high-performance machine learning models, uniquely positioning Syntiant as the premier provider for AI-driven interfaces.”
Extends Range
Syntiant, founded in 2017, also develops machine learning software that powers artificial intelligence-based speech, audio, sensor and vision applications.
The Syntiant chips process information locally—called at the edge—saving time and money, rather than being routed through cloud computers. It also has “ultra-low power consumption.”
The company says it’s sold more than 50 million Neural Decision Processors (NDPs) and deep learning models worldwide.
The transaction, announced Sept. 19, with Itasca, Illinois-based Knowles (NYSE: KN) is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024 and is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Knowles, which has a $1.5 billion market cap, is known for high performance electronics for applications, including capacitors and radio frequency filters and advanced medtech microphones.
It made the decision to sell its consumer microphones division after a strategic review so it could focus on industrial technology. The consumer MEMS unit generated about $255 million, or 36% of Knowles’ $708 million in 2023 sales, according to the company annual report.
Knowles will receive $70 million in cash and $80 million in Syntiant preferred stock.
“Our smallest design is in a hearing aid and our largest is in an automobile,” Syntiant says on its website. The company has also developed uses for fire detection.
Syntiant’s latest tech advance is the new NDP250 chip, which works five times faster than previous models, the company said, for uses including person detection, automatic speech recognition and motion tracking, among others.
Real-Time Monitoring
The artificial intelligence-focused company added real-time monitoring of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to its popular detection system for the sound of breaking window glass.
Syntiant has also developed and trained specialized edge AI models that enhance vehicle safety and security, from red light and green light detection to tailgating detection.
The Syntiant NDP115 Neural Decision Processor is a special purpose chip for audio and sensor processing for always-on applications in battery powered devices and other low-power systems.
Syntiant is backed by several of the world’s leading strategic and financial investors including Intel Capital, Microsoft’s M12, Applied Ventures, Bosch Ventures, the Amazon Alexa Fund, and Atlantic Bridge Capital.
CEO Busch has said he is aiming for a public listing by 2027.
