Munich, June 2021
Neuron soundware – an innovative startup from Czech Republic brought to the 12th IoT/WT Innovation World Cup® in the category Industrial their unique solution. Their powerful AI analyzes sound patters provide unparalleled insight into how mechanical systems operate, so potential failures can be detected early.
1. INTRODUCE YOURSELF! – HOW DID IT ALL START?
Our company started in 2016 exploring the use of AI in audio processing. So, we choose a name combining Neural Networks, Software and Sound becoming Neuron soundware. We were driven to the idea of machine health by a friend of mine. He was driving his car and could hear some strange noise coming from the engine. He even stopped at a service station, but the technicians didn’t find any issue on its onboard computer. So, he kept driving and about 100 kilometres later, a cylinder broke a part. It did blow-up the whole engine and caused 10k EUR damage. We spent hundreds of hours in our cars, so we learnt how they operate under the different conditions and can recognize the anomalies. That intuition is what we built in our AI applications.
2. WHAT ARE THE KEY MILESTONES YOU HAVE REACHED SO FAR?
We were proud to be one of the four companies recognised by Gartner as Cool Vendor in the area of Predictive maintenance using sound in 2018. That opens us a door to round a funding exceeding 5 million EUR to industrialise our technology in 2019. So we moved from the initial pilot projects and custom solution to a more scalable approach via our nShield platform, we release in late 2020. We also add nBox, edge computing capable IoT hardware, into our solution, so we can provide an end-to-end solution for our customers. We just closed ATEX certification for our device. We are now looking for partners, who would help us to get the technology globally. I am glad to share that we have the first installation outside of Europe in Japan, Malaysia, etc.
3. WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED?
Well, the combination of AI + IoT HW + Cloud SW just takes a while to build. All layers of the solution stack need to work perfectly aligned. Every founder needs to start with the perspective that it is doable & simple and than plan for more complex reality. We had to update and rework some part of the technology to meet the customer requirements as we are learning more and more about their needs. I see it as more important before to choose the right location, where to start. We are a deep-tech industrial start-up and I am glad that we could leverage our location in Prague – a few hours’ drive to either Berlin and Munich. You can’t change the ecosystem, but you can choose the right one for starting your company.
4. WHAT IS COMING IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
We are now looking to scale our deployments and I can see the future of tens of thousands and millions IoT devices monitoring all kinds of machines. The edge IoT + AI would get more computing capable and cheaper. That would make it economical beyond industrial application. We notice the first interest from Home appliance OEMs. So we want to be ready to support their smart-line of products with our technology.
5. DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY IN THE INNOVATION WORLD CUP® AND STANDING AMONGST THE TOP12 IOT TECHPRENEURS 2020?
We all started feeling like being a part of TV News during the last year. Online streaming is not anymore skills of a few youtubers, but a common skillset. Personally, I enjoyed the presentation of all nominated companies. We are all bringing something new into the world. I was pleased that we were selected as one of the top 5 Innovations from hundreds of applications.
6. CAN YOU SHARE WITH US YOUR THREE TIPS FOR UP-COMING START-UPS?
Leverage everyday common experience, when explaining what you are doing. That would allow you to quickly grasp attention and imagination. You can explain all the details and differentiating factors later, after you start the conversation.
THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHTS AND WE SHALL KEEP WATCHING YOUR NEXT BIG STEPS!
Visit Neuron soundware and learn more about their powerfull solutions.
Join the 13th IoT/WT Innovation World Cup®. Submit your solution free of charge. The top selected finalists will be invited to present their solution live at HANNOVER MESSE 2022.
