Mobilus Labs from London is a wearable tech startup that developed the world’s first two-way bone conduction voice technology headband.
Recently, Mobilus Labs has picked up $2.7 million funding from Chevron Technology Ventures, Vinci BV, Ascension Ventures, Schox VC, Entrepreneur First, and members of the UK Stanford Angels.
The company will use the proceeds of the round to expand the deployment of the Mobilus Voice Communications Platform internationally. It focuses on the United States and Europe in the energy, construction, chemicals, and manufacturing sectors.
“Clear voice communication is particularly valuable in hazardous areas. Our trial of the Mobilus device helped us assess its potential to enhance worker safety, particularly in high-noise industrial environments,” said Barbara Burger, Vice President, Innovation and President of Technology Ventures at Chevron. “We are excited for this latest investment from our Core Energy Fund, which focuses on technologies that have the potential to improve performance in our traditional oil and gas businesses.”
“Mobilus has a unique and versatile technology which enables front line industry workers to have a 21st century communication experience. Not only is the technology based on bone conduction tremendously effective, but it also enables voice-to-text and voice assistant features even when there is significant background noise. As such, Mobilus has the potential to digitize communication in a myriad of industries. We are very excited to work with this remarkable product and visionary team. We are confident that with Chevron joining in this journey, Mobilus is stronger and poised for more growth than ever” said Selale Zaim Gorton, the Head of Investment Committee at Vinci.
The new-age walkie talkie
Mobilus Labs’ flagship product, a patented two-way bone conduction headset, integrates into safety helmets and replaces and/or augments handheld radios. The ear-free, hands-free technology is designed to enable clear and safe voice communications in extremely noisy and dangerous environments.
Called mobiWAN, this new-age walkie talkie can be integrated into the standard safety helmets and can transmit voice communication directly into the inner ear via micro-vibrations on the head. With this, there is no necessity to use a pair of headphones.
With two-way bone conduction communication, mobiWAN provides a hands-free, ear-free voice experience even in the loudest of environments. With improved communication, it creates a more effective team, reduces rework and improves safety outcomes.
Besides this, its portfolio includes mobiTALK, a complete solution for online/offline software defined radio comms. In 2019, Mobilus Labs launched the first generation mobiWAN in collaboration with Trimble to become the exclusive audio solution for the Trimble XR10 with Microsoft HoloLens 2 mixed reality device.
Previously, Mobilus Labs bagged investment in a round led by Vinci BV in 2020 to focus on the development and manufacturing of the second-generation of its mobiWAN bone conduction headset and the mobiTALK software platform.
Among best inventions of 2021
Mobilus Labs was founded by Jordan McRae alongside a team of engineers and designers with a passion to reinvent voice communications even for the most extreme environments. The company leverages a wealth of experience from some of the most innovative companies and institutions around the world including M.I.T, Imperial College, Lockheed Martin, Samsung, LG, Vonage, and NASA.
Now, the company appears to have begun trials of its technology at a Chevron facility, marking Mobilus’ entry into the oil and gas sector. Also, the mobiWAN was recently recognised by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 best inventions of 2021.
