Chinese smartphone microphone firm creating up to 30 jobs with new base in Edinburgh

A Shenzhen-based smartphone microphone specialist is set to open a base in Edinburgh, in a move expected to create up to 30 jobs by 2023.

AAC is working towards Mems microphones with improved capability. Picture: Stuart Jenner.

AAC Technologies Holdings has announced the opening of a microelectromechanical systems (Mems) microphone centre in the Scottish capital, with the company saying this expands its global footprint and “reinforces its leadership position in the design of next-generation microphone system-level solutions”.

The firms existing Mems microphone offering is currently used by the the likes of Amazon, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo.

It said the move is part of its commitment to invest in the build-out of a worldwide network of research and development (R&D) centres that advance the technologies critical to the performance of smartphones and other mobile devices. Edinburgh joins fellow AAC R&D centers in China, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the US.

David Plekenpol, AAC chief strategy officer and chairman of the American and European region, said: “As a globally-focused and internationally diverse company, AAC is committed to developing system-level solutions across the world, wherever talent and expertise can be leveraged. The opening of Edinburgh strengthens our ability to continue developing innovative Mems microphone solutions in an evolving mobile marketplace.

"AAC is starting off with a core R&D team that should reach 12 to 15 by this time next year. The scope of this office will extend to include systems level R&D and advance technology scouting within the UK, which could see the office size growing to 30 by 2023."

AAC added that with the opening of the Edinburgh office, AAC is expanding its Mems R&D, pursuing smaller microphones, better signal-to-noise ratios, lower power draw, and improved ruggedness and reliability. These attributes, along with advanced programming, will enable Mems microphones to be used in new situations or devices that offer improved keyword detection, user recognition, multi-language recognition and custom wake-up words, the firm added.

Mems microphone technology expert Colin Jenkins will serve as R&D director and on-site lead for the group. He will be joined by former colleagues, as well as strategic hires involved in AAC’s expansion plans.

He said: “Our team brings more than 40 years of Mems experience to AAC, a company that is already very well established in the field. The combination of our experience and AAC’s market knowledge and long-term commitment to the industry will result in some very exciting product developments. Furthermore, as one of the UK’s top technology hubs, Edinburgh offers us a wealth of university lab access and the opportunity to recruit top-tier local talent with extensive Mems expertise.”

AAC added that the new centre strategically positions AAC to continue to lead the industry as a wave of voice-controlled artificial intelligence applications increasingly become central to the smartphone and mobile user experience.

Plekenpol said: “AAC is focused on leading the industry in the development of multi-microphone system-level solutions that improve clarity and directionality, and leverage the potential offered by voice control. As a supplier, our success leads to device makers’ success, and every investment we make in new technologies benefits the entire smartphone industry by enabling new capabilities and enhancing the user experience of their devices.”

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