iyO One

iyO One

iyO One is a pair of custom-fit earbuds that act as a screenless audio computer, made by iyO, a startup in Redwood City, California, founded by Jason Rugolo. Users talk to AI apps called agents, such as Babl for real-time translation and Owl for hearing in noisy rooms. It is on pre-order from US$999 for the Wi-Fi model, with shipping date not yet set.

Key Features

• Voice-first computer: Runs apps like a smartphone, but the user talks to them through a natural language interface instead of a screen.
• Real-time translation: The Babl agent sends a directional foreign voice to the cloud and streams it back in the listener's language.
• Hearing enhancement: The Owl agent uses beamforming to boost sounds in front of the wearer by as much as 15 dB and reduce surrounding noise; iyO says it is not a medical device.
• Built-in agents: Sherlock answers spoken questions and Deej controls a Spotify account by conversation.
• Hardware: Two 4nm CPUs, 8 DSP cores, 20 microphones and 6 acoustic drivers in a titanium and glass housing, with Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi plus LTE options.

Use Cases

• Travel: Hear a foreign-language speaker translated in real time.
• Noisy places: Focus on voices in front of you in restaurants or at parties.
• Phone-free assistant: Ask questions and control music by voice without taking out a phone.

Getting Started

The iyO One can be reserved on the iyO website, with custom ear fitting at home or with a specialist: https://www.iyo.ai/