Sennheiser to unveil Augmented Audio Developers Program at SXSW

Sennheiser will announce its new AMBEO Augmented Audio Developers Program at South by Southwest (SXSW), which is taking place from 9 – 18 March in Austin, Texas.

Successful applicants will get early access to a free toolkit, comprising the hardware and software needed to develop augmented reality audio apps for iOS devices. On the hardware side, the kit includes the Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset for recording immersive binaural audio, sealing in-ear tips, and a headtracker.

Software includes the AMBEO 3D binaural audio software library, the application programming interface for the AMBEO Smart Headset and a fully functional demo project using Apple ARKit as an example.

Applications for the program are being accepted from 9 March to 31 March, 2018. Developers interested in learning more and registering should visit www.sennheiser.com/ambeo-augmentedaudio. A total of 20 participants will be selected to join the programme while the top three applicants will also win an additional grant to support their app development cost.

“Augmented audio creates fantastically rich audio experiences, enhancing the sonic landscape with additional content for gaming, entertainment, productivity and beyond,” said Sennheiser’s Sofia Brazzola, who manages the developers program. “The program is aimed at sound designers and game developers who are eager to create augmented audio apps and creatively explore audio interactivity.”

From 11 to 14 March at SXSW, the AMBEO team will provide a live demo of a typical augmented audio application on booth #908. Wearing the AMBEO Smart Headset and using an iPad, visitors are invited to watch a 30-minute live performance by “funk-fusion goddess” Noa of Playing Savage, whose solo vocals will be enhanced in real time by a full virtual backing band via an augmented reality app.

Additionally, Sennheiser is welcoming its partner Dear Reality to the booth. Dear Reality will demo its VR/AR production software, Spatial Connect which enables a fully immersive workflow for VR/AR audio productions.

On Sunday, 11 March, from 4:45 to 5:30pm, a panel discussion on “Augmented Reality and Sound” will take place in the German House. The panel will be hosted by Sebastian Gsuck, CEO of MediaApes, with the speaker lineup including Hartwig von Sass (CeBiT), Tom Ammermann (New Audio Technology), Daniel Guthor (CEO, Aspekteins), and Uwe Cremering (co-director AMBEO Immersive Audio, Sennheiser).