Knowles and SoftBank release TW-9100 TWS earbuds Tuned to the Knowles Curve

Knowles Corporation (NYSE: KN), a leading manufacturer of specialty electronic components for innovative technologies, including capacitors, radio frequency (“RF”) filters, advanced medtech microphones, and balanced armature speakers, announced that SB C&S Corp., a SoftBank Corp. group company, has selected Knowles balanced armature (BA) drivers for its latest premium true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds under the GLIDiC audio brand.

Launching today in Japan, the high-end GLIDiC TW-9100 earbuds feature Knowles BAs in a hybrid configuration with dynamic drivers to deliver exceptional sound performance across the entire frequency spectrum. The Knowles BA drivers handle the critical high-frequency reproduction, while dynamic drivers deliver rich mid and low frequencies, creating a comprehensive soundstage that reveals intricate musical details with natural tonal balance.

Tuned to the Knowles Preferred Listening Response Curve, the TW-9100 earbuds incorporate audio innovations backed by substantial research indicating that consumers of varying ages and hearing capabilities gravitate toward enhanced high-frequency performance extending past 10 kHz, resulting in significantly richer musical enjoyment. Through the implementation of Knowles’ BAs, GLIDiC delivers the extended frequency range necessary for superior sound reproduction while maintaining the authentic sonic signature that sound enthusiasts prize.

“The GLIDiC TW-9100 represents the culmination of years of sound creation expertise, bringing together our unique audio know-how with Knowles’ industry-leading BAs,” said Satoru Takeshita, Head of Product Division 1 Consumer Business Unit at SB C&S Corp. “Our goal with this first hybrid design as the GLIDiC TWS earbuds was to create a high-resolution sound experience that truly resonates with listeners, delivering realistic details from delicate, clear treble to rich, powerful bass in a premium package.”

In addition to superior sound quality, the GLIDiC TW-9100 features an elegant design and advanced capabilities, including adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation that automatically adjusts based on ambient noise levels, AI noise reduction for crystal-clear calls, and multipoint connectivity allowing simultaneous connection to two Bluetooth devices.

“Our collaboration with SB C&S demonstrates how Knowles BAs can help audio brands create truly exceptional listening experiences,” said Jon Kiachian, President of Medical and Specialty Audio at Knowles Corporation. “For more than 75 years, Knowles has pioneered balanced armature technology that enables unprecedented sound performance for its size, and we’re proud to see this heritage continue in premium products like the GLIDiC TW-9100.”

The GLIDiC TW-9100 will be available starting today, at ‘SoftBank’ stores across Japan, as well as through Trend Tech SoftBank SELECTION.

https://glidic.jp/tw-9100/

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Floki Partners with Rice Robotics to Launch AI Companion Robot

Rice Robotics, a Hong Kong-based robotics startup, has announced the launch of an AI-powered companion robot, the Minibot M1, developed in partnership with Floki. The robot will operate on the decentralized RICE AI protocol and integrate features designed to support everyday tasks and foster emotional interaction with users.

“Rice Robotics Unveils Minibot M1, the Only Friend That Pays You in crypto to Hang Out”

The Minibot M1, branded in collaboration with Floki, will function as a personal assistant capable of managing household schedules, retrieving online information, and offering companionship through interactive features like music, storytelling, and conversational engagement. Users interacting with the robot will earn $RICE tokens in return, forming part of a data collection and training ecosystem for robotic intelligence.

The launch of the robot will be accompanied by the introduction of the $RICE token, which will serve as the utility token of the RICE AI protocol. The token will debut on TokenFi Launchpad, with staking opportunities available for holders of $TOKEN, the native token of TokenFi. Airdrops of $RICE will also be issued to holders and stakers of both $FLOKI and $TOKEN.

Rice Robotics has partnerships with several major corporations including SoftBank, Nvidia, Dubai Future Foundation, NTT Japan, and Mitsui Fudosan. Its robots are currently deployed in commercial delivery settings across Japan, including unmanned indoor delivery for 7-Eleven Japan and office services at SoftBank headquarters.

Floki’s involvement marks another step in its broader strategy to expand into tokenized AI and blockchain-enabled services. Through its sister project TokenFi, Floki aims to facilitate the tokenization of real-world assets and data, including AI-generated content and robotic learning models.

Earlier this year, Rice Robotics secured over $7 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Soul Capital, and Audacy Ventures. The company is working toward a decentralized data-sharing model where robots can autonomously exchange training data to improve performance without centralized oversight.

The AI robotics sector is currently valued at approximately $22 billion and is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030, according to industry estimates.