AudioTelligence

About AudioTelligence

AudioTelligence was a technology company that developed real-time audio processing solutions to improve automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems. Founded in 2017 by Ken Roberts and Dave Betts, the Cambridge, UK-based startup was a spin-out from CEDAR Audio and the University of Cambridge's Signal Processing Group. The company's core technology was a data-driven approach called Blind Source Separation (BSS), which separates target voices from background noise without needing high-quality microphones. This aimed to solve the 'Cocktail Party Problem,' where noisy environments degrade the performance of voice-activated devices and assistive listening products.

AudioTelligence's main product was a software solution, 'aiso™', which could be integrated into devices like smartphones, smart speakers, hearing aids, and automotive products. The technology was designed to improve the signal-to-noise ratio by up to 30 decibels, significantly outperforming traditional beamforming methods used in hearing aids. This enabled clearer voice commands and conversations in loud settings. The business model was based on licensing its intellectual property and software to manufacturers of consumer electronics and other devices. The company targeted markets including assistive listening, consumer devices, and automotive systems.

The company secured multiple rounds of funding, including seed rounds in 2018 and a Series A round of $8.5 million in March 2020, led by Octopus Ventures with participation from Cambridge Innovation Capital and others, reaching a total of approximately $29 million raised. Despite its technology and funding, AudioTelligence entered voluntary liquidation in February 2024.