Zyxio was founded in 2008 by Human Media Interaction specialists, following a 3+ years, multi-million dollar human factors and HMI research effort, to develop MEMS and related software/firmware sensory solutions for enhanced personal interaction. The company is privately funded and the sister company to Inputive Corp. Zyxio has 5-10 employees.

Zyxio believes that human breathing energy is a natural and easy form of interaction, well suited to motion patterns such as scrolling, magnifying and others. To capitalize on this vision, Zyxio has invented and developed “waft sensing” and processing, enabled by a proprietary MEMS device.

Zyxio is the only provider of MEMS-based products for organic Human Media Interaction based on breathing. The company has translating “blowing out”, a core form of interaction between Humans and their environment, into a digital, easy, intuitive form of interaction enabled by a single, low-cost chip that can be embedded in a number of personal form factors and peripheral devices.

In the past years, the company has developed and patented the foundational SensaWaft™ technology through several iterations. The foundational IP comprises more than 20 patents issued and pending. According to Zyxio, traditional microphones are not capable of detecting directional, ultra low pressure airflow for HMI applications.

Zyxio’s SensaWaft™ is a low cost, low power and intuitive technology that senses and analyzes when you intentionally breathe out to interact. Zyxio’s patented technology can sense ultra low pressure airflow intentionally and directionally exhaled by the user in the open space. SensaWaft works in the chin area, within up to 20+cm of the mouth, and provides accurate, high-resolution sensing while filtering ambient winds, shocks, and more.

Embedded firmware discards ambient winds and other “pollutions” and turns valid airflow into interaction signals such as scroll up/down, zoom in/out, etc. SensaWaft’s interaction effect libraries and application-specific programmability provides customizable variable control over any User Interface and applications, with low computational specifications.

An obvious target is handicapped and disabled people; however, Zyxio is squarely focused on mass-market applications spanning a broad range of industries. Hands-free experiences such as walking, driving, juggling, socializing, etc. represent prime opportunities. The SensaWaft MEMS chip is already in production and the company is currently engaged with smartphone and game platform vendors. Pricing is under $20.

Joe Adam, CEO (previously held managerial positions with Digital, Rockwell, Conexant, Skyworks, and Wispry, and most recently VP of Worldwide Assembly Business at StatsChipPac)

Pierre Bonnat, Chief Architect, Founder (a Human Media Interaction visionary and pioneer, previously with Philips, Sony, BBC and many others)

Celine Vignal, Chief Communications Officer, Founder (previously managed programs in the hospitality and entertainment fields in Europe)

Cory Roberts, CFO (previously an independent consultant for the past 5 years)