Want to lose the ‘buds or the headphones? Bone conduction lets you get your sound on through hats, helmets, sunglasses or headbands, and, if you prefer nothing on your head, there is a speaker that only you can hear. Now there’s a new way to get your wearable-free amp on, a smart cushion that lets you feel as well as hear the sound.
Designed and engineered in Finland, HUMU – from the Finnish word meaning ”humming” or ”commotion” – utilizes patented Flexound® Xperience technology that transforms sound waves into distributed vibration that can be felt physically, in synch with the audio.
Backstory
Flexound’s story began as a request from the occupational therapist wife of Jukka Linjama, who asked him to create a product for therapeutic use that she could in her work with disabled and autistic children. Having developed such a product the Flexound team realized the potential of their innovation for entertainment and relaxation, which led to the development of the consumer device which would become HUMU.
A chance encounter with Linjama’s wife during a run in the forest led Mervi Heinaro to a meeting with Linjama, and eventually to become CEO and a partner in the company. “They were looking for someone a bit more of a business background,” Heinaro told me during a Skype interview, describing the value prop by adding, “We humans are feeling creatures, and the skin is the biggest human organ. Why would you only watch and listen to a film, if you can also feel the sounds on your skin and body, and get a more immersive multisensory experience?”
The Prototype
Following our discussion, Heinaro sent me a Flexound HUMU prototype to test. It arrived in a sturdy box with a Micro-USB charging cable. Pairing with my phone involved just a press of the power button on the cushion, with a rumble from the cushion indicating that pairing was successful.
Once paired, audio control was controlled through my smartphone, laptop, or other connected devices of my choice. If I had wanted to, I could have connected non-Bluetooth devices such as a television or game controller with a 3.5mm Aux cable. HUMU can be turned off by pushing the power button for one or two seconds.
The prototype I received was white with the look and feel of suede. While white would not be my first choice for purely practical/keeping it clean reasons, there was no denying that it was the version that I personally preferred. The middle section featured a blue checkered pattern which at a distance could have been black and so looked entirely at home on my favorite “vedging” spot, my black and white zebra bean bag.
On either side of the checkered mid-section is a zipper seam which goes all the way around the cushion and tucks into a little pouch to hide the zippers. While the zippers are functional, the cover cannot — and should not — be removed. Heinaro told me that the zippers are there as part of the design and to make assembly of HUMU easier.
There is a cover pocket which stays closed through the use of a magnet on the left side of the cushion. Opening the cover pocket exposes the Micro-USB port, a 3.5mm AUX port, a round power button with a blue LED light in the middle – press it to pair and you’re in business. There is a blue carry handle on the right side of the cushion with the HUMU logo stitched onto it in white – the blue and white representing the colors of the Finnish flag.
Sound Experience
When I was lying on it with my head in the middle of the cushion, the Flexound HUMU sounded almost the same as if I was wearing headphones. The vocals were crisp and clear and the instruments had a clean sound, with a very good medium base. Heavy bass caused more vibration on the head, great for those who like heavy rock of the headbanging kind, perhaps not so much for those who don’t. Controls for bass would be a good option for those who prefer less vibration.
It was an interesting and fascinating experience to put my hands onto the cushion to increase my surface area for “feeling” as well as hearing the sound. This made a difference especially while listening to vocal heavy ballads or acoustic recordings. Listening to the lyrics of Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone” took on an entirely new dimension.
I particularly enjoyed the stereo sound surround-sound-like effect while watching movies with my head on the HUMU. Overall the product sounds great and lives up to its Nordic roots – it looks good and is well constructed.
On Indiegogo
Flexound Systems has raised 900 000 euros financing from Finnish and international angel investors. The Flexound HUMU is currently available on Indiegogo with $28,754 USD raised by 82 backers representing 82% of a $35,000 flexible goal.
Early Bird HUMUs in Grey and Graphite artificial suede are still available at $299, which will increase to $349 when the early bird versions sell out. Early Bird black and gray leather versions are available at $399. The white Early Bird version has sold out, but white and black leather versions are available at $449. Multiple versions are available from two artificial suede HUMUs at $599 to ten leather versions at $3,899. Shipping is additional, and estimated delivery is between March and June 2017.
Gail is a Chicago-based food scientist who writes for leading US and European food and technology publications. A devotee of all things shiny, electronic and buzzing, with a passion for building on-line communities and conservation, she is an entrepreneur and founder of a sustainability and social media startup who moonlights on weekends as DJ Moongirl on Moonalice Radio. Clients range from rock bands and media companies to high-tech startups.
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Did it seem like the cushion was something that you could have slept on all night?
Hi Georgiana!
As I prefer a soft cushion to sleep with, I personally do not ideally use HUMU for sleeping. I have however once had my own pillow on top of HUMU and slept well.
The softness/stiffness is similar to what some Tempur pillows have, but that is my own perception. HUMU has not been designed to be similar to Tempur.
Heikki / Flexound Systems
I wonder how this would work if I were to use it for falling asleep. You know, like a white noise kind of thing?
Hi Mary,
Yes, I have used HUMU one night in this way. I had the Sync Project (http://syncproject.co/) relaxing music on as I went to bed. I slept well that night.
It is possible to adjust the volume so low, that the sound is not disturbing (at least myself), when I fall asleep and have my ear towards the cushion.
Heikki / Flexound Systems
The controls for the bass and the other sounds actions was something that I was thinking about as well. What if you do not want bass pounding on your head or neck?
Hi Anthony,
If you adjust the volume low enough, you won’t be able to feel the bass anymore, but you can still hear the music from HUMU. When you raise the volume, the bass comes stronger then as well. Noteworthy is also, that on some songs the bass is more present than on some others.
Heikki / Flexound Systems
Hopefully they complete the campaign with the funds they need. There is some simple tech used on this product, but I am looking ahead to where the company can go from here.