Light Driven Visual Microphone Offers New Tool for Silent Sound Detection

Light driven visual microphone offers new tool for silent sound detection

Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Aug 01, 2025 Researchers at the Beijing Institute of Technology have developed a novel type of microphone that captures sound using light, offering a low-cost solution for detecting audio in situations where traditional microphones fall short. Rather than detecting airborne soundwaves directly, this "visual microphone" reads minute surface vibrations triggered by sound, converting them into audible signals.

Beijing Unveils $100 Visual Microphone for Vibration-Based Sound Detection

In a breakthrough that could reshape audio detection and surveillance technologies, researchers at the Beijing Institute of Technology have unveiled a novel visual microphone that harnesses light to “listen” to sounds. This device doesn’t rely on traditional acoustic sensors but instead captures imperceptible vibrations on everyday objects caused by sound waves, converting them into audible signals. The innovation builds on earlier concepts from…