Summary: EssilorLuxottica has acquired French startup Pulse Audition, known for its AI-driven noise reduction and speech enhancement technology, aiming to embed these innovations into eyewear and expand its capabilities in hearing solutions.

Takeaways:

  1. Enhanced Hearing Technology:
    Pulse Audition’s AI-based noise reduction and voice enhancement technology aims to improve EssilorLuxottica’s ability to support individuals with hearing challenges, even in noisy environments.
  2. Innovation in Eyewear:
    The acquisition paves the way for embedding AI-powered speech enhancement features directly into glasses, showcasing the potential for multifunctional wearable devices.
  3. Strategic Growth in Hearing Solutions:
    This move aligns with EssilorLuxottica’s long-term strategy to expand in the hearing solutions market, following its 2023 acquisition of Nuance Hearing.

EssilorLuxottica has acquired Pulse Audition, a French startup specializing in AI-driven noise reduction and voice enhancement technology designed to help individuals with hearing challenges understand speech more effectively, even in noisy settings.

This acquisition brings Pulse Audition’s expertise in AI software development, embedded AI, and audio signal processing into EssilorLuxottica’s portfolio. Pulse Audition features technology that can embed AI-based speech enhancement into glasses. 

By incorporating these technologies and the team’s capabilities, EssilorLuxottica aims to enhance the quality of its hardware and software solutions. This move builds on its 2023 acquisition of Nuance Hearing and reflects its continued focus on advancing hearing solutions.

“We continuously explore market opportunities in AI and big data, and this acquisition in France – one of our home countries – is a perfect fit with our long-term goals and investments in hearing solutions,” says Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO and Paul du Saillant, Deputy CEO at EssilorLuxottica commented. “It reinforces our commitment to advancing the next category of computing platforms, also in Europe. We are excited to welcome this talented team in our Group and look forward to further unlocking the enormous potential in the underserved hearing space.”

Featured image: The Nuance Audio glasses prototype. Photo: EssilorLuxottica