Headphones use the human body as the conductor

Sony's research center in Tokyo has just discovered how to connect headphones to portable music players and video players without the need for wires. Their solution is simple: use the body of the listener as a conductor of audio signals.

Current wireless headsets use Bluetooth - short-range waves. But to be able to hear, the user must connect the headset with another device. In addition, the audio signal is very susceptible to interference if the listener is sitting near another Bluetooth-enabled device.

The new music system uses the body of the listener as a capacitor (capable of generating and generating electricity). First, a music player or video projector sends signals to a conductive piece of cloth, such as a wrist. The fabric transforms the signal into a low intensity electric current into the body. The two pads on both sides of the earphone will pick up electrical signals from the listener's body and quickly convert them into sound.

The researchers claim that the electricity flowing through the listener's body is very low - only a few millionths of an ampere - so it will not cause any harmful effects. To convert such weak currents into good sound signals, Sony uses high-frequency signals, digitized to transmit data at 48 kilobits per second. The company claims that the speed is enough to deliver high-quality stereo.

Viet Linh