Groupe Renault and Newfund Invest in Akoustic Arts

Groupe Renault and Newfund have announced that they have invested in the startup Akoustic Arts, which specializes in directional sound. This infusion of funds will make it possible for Akoustic Arts to accelerate its growth and develop its products on a large scale. As an outcome of the deal, Groupe Renault and Akoustic Arts have agreed to collaborate on a project to adapt the Akoustic Arts technology for Renault vehicles.

Akoustic Arts was established in 2010 and has developed its own proprietary ultra-directional sound technology. Using this technology the content can be projected through the air, thus creating a private bubble of sound that only the target user hears. Thus using Akoustic’s technology, different people in the car can enjoy their very own distinct immersive experiences at the same time.

As part of the collaboration between the two companies, Renault engineers will share their automotive expertise as well as their suppliers and industrial tools. Akoustic Arts will bring to the partnership scientists who have significant expertise in directional sound. Initially, the project will have an R&D phase, and will then focus on the development of on-board directional speakers for the brand models. The two companies will also work on development of products for the post-sales network.

Commenting on the partnership, Gaspar Gascon Abellan, Deputy Alliance Engineering Executive Vice Presidentsaid that Groupe Renault was delighted to invest in Akoustic Arts alongside Newfund. Together, they would create innovative on-board directional speakers to cater better to the needs of their customers. The on-board audio experience is a differentiating factor for Groupe Renault, especially in view of the development of connected and autonomous vehicles and future on-board editorial content.

said Ilan Kaddouch, CEO of Akoustic Arts said that after an initial phase devoted to the development of the company’s ultra-directional sound technology, the first priority would be to revolutionize the in-store experience with its A speaker, while the second would be to develop a product for the automotive market by drawing on the expertise of Renault’s teams.

“Akoustic Arts has developed a unique technology that already perfectly meets the need for sound technology in public spaces – notably in the retail industry – through its first product, the A speaker. This capital injection will enable the team to continue to win over new customers on this priority market, and to rapidly develop a product adapted to vehicles, with the help of Groupe Renault. We are thrilled to participate in this project,” said Ivan Michal, Partner at Newfund.