Last week, we offered a glimpse into Skyted’s innovative voice-capturing mask, and encountering the startup at CES 2024 prompted a firsthand exploration of its capabilities. While the technical intricacies have been detailed in our previous coverage, experiencing the device in person provided deeper insights into its functionality and potential applications.
Navigating the Sound Bubble
Gauthier Daridon, connectivity engineer at Skyted, shed light on the mobile application accompanying the mask, designed to delineate one’s ‘sound bubble’—an essential aspect of the user experience. “Imagine being on an airplane; you wouldn’t want your conversations to be overheard by neighboring passengers,” Daridon elaborates in an interview with TechCrunch at CES. “Our application provides insights into your ‘perceptible’ and ‘intelligible’ ranges, ensuring privacy and clarity in varied environments.”
Real-World Testing
During the demonstration, Daridon conversed in a typical voice, allowing firsthand assessment of the mask’s efficacy. With headphones, his speech was discernible, albeit slightly muffled. Without headphones, standing at a modest distance, his words became indistinct murmurs, blending into the ambient noise of the bustling exhibition floor.
Navigating Startup Terrain
Founded in 2021, Skyted boasts a team of approximately 20 professionals and secured $1 million in funding, split evenly between angel investors, smaller backers, and governmental support. The recent launch of a Kickstarter campaign garnered notable traction, with nearly 300 masks sold, translating to approximately $64,000 in pledges.
Exploring Potential Use Cases
Despite initial skepticism regarding the mask’s utility, Daridon and his team envision diverse applications across various sectors. “We’re targeting business environments, particularly offices and call centers, where privacy is paramount,” Daridon explains. “Additionally, the gaming community presents compelling opportunities, with users seeking immersive experiences akin to real-life interactions.”
Anticipating Future Developments
While Skyted’s mask may currently appear as a solution seeking a problem, the allure of pioneering technology lies in uncovering unforeseen possibilities. As the startup navigates through its Kickstarter campaign, the journey toward product refinement and market validation promises intriguing insights into its trajectory and the evolving landscape of immersive gaming gear. With plans to commence product shipments by year’s end, Skyted stands poised to carve a distinct niche within the realm of privacy-enhancing technologies.
Leave a Reply