Google acquires 3D audio company Dysonics

Google recently acquired Dysonics, a company that works on 3D audio applications. Company employees now work at Google on audio hardware. Google has also secured patents with the acquisition.

Google’s acquisition of Dysonics has not been publicly announced, but Protocol discovered that it took place last December, as stated in a patent application filed in the United States. Details about the deal have not been disclosed.

Dysonics has been around since 2011. It is a small company with less than ten employees. Updated LinkedIn pages show that Dysonics employees now work for Google. So is Robert Dalton Jr., the company’s co-founder and CTO, who, according to his profile, now works on audio hardware at Google. Another former team member writes on his LinkedIn page that he is working on a team that will develop audio algorithms for various Google products.

Originally Dysonics created a motion tracker for headphones, to add 3D audio to existing headphones. In 2014, the company raised $60,000 through Kickstarter to make that product. Then Dysonics teamed up with airline Virgin America to add surround sound to its in-flight entertainment system. Dysonics also developed software for using 3D audio in VR applications.

Exactly what Google plans to do with Dysonics’ knowledge and intellectual property is unknown. The search giant could use the technology for its own Pixel Buds earphones or other audio hardware. 3D audio technology could also come in handy in AR applications.

2014 Dysonics Kickstarter Video