Project Overview
UltrasonicSpheres is a novel audio system that creates spatially localized sound zones using ultrasonic carriers that become audible only when received and demodulated by ear-worn devices. Instead of emitting audible sound directly into the environment, the system transmits content via high-frequency ultrasonic signals from ordinary speakers. These signals can only be heard when a user equipped with a compatible earable enters a designated ultrasonic field — forming precise, invisible “audio spheres” in physical space.
By leveraging the physical propagation characteristics of ultrasound and real-time demodulation on OpenEarable 2.0, UltrasonicSpheres enables seamless, location-anchored audio experiences without requiring user interaction, headphones covering the ear canal, or dedicated hardware on the transmitting side. Users naturally hear different audio content as they move between zones, and spatial cues such as interaural time differences are preserved, allowing authentic spatial perception and directional awareness.
The system supports multiple independent sound zones, smooth audio transitions, and bilingual content delivery, opening new interaction possibilities for museums, public displays, accessibility systems, and immersive computing environments.
