Dreamwaves - See the world through your ears.

Audio Augmented Reality

Virtual waypoints are placed in the real world around you
Spatial Audio

You can hear the waypoints as if a friend was calling
Navigation by Hearing

Follow the sounds until the destination. Simple and hands-free

The waveOut app

“Our mission is to make navigation easy for everyone.”

Our navigation app runs on a smartphone and is currently available for iOS. Headphones are needed to hear the waypoints. Even though we use spatial audio, any headphones model will work. For the best experience, we recommend open headphones so you are always aware of the world around you. For an amazing experience we will support selected hearables. Stay tuned!

Behind the scenes
An intuitive experience requires that the virtual content is displayed flawlessly to the users. We use state-of-the art computer vision methods to determine the location of the user within the world. We take the latest augmented reality toolkits, global positioning advances and machine learning methods, combine them with some magic and obtain the position with incredible accuracy.
Spatial audio
Spatial audio simulates the way people naturally understand sound locations. When a phone rings, or a friend calls, you immediately turn your head. Spatial audio does the same and we use this to help you find the next waypoint in the easiest way.
Holistic solution
Our app integrates all the features necessary to help you walk on the street with confidence and ease. You'll never again need to switch between different apps while navigating.

“It’s a bit like seeing!

Now I always know where I am going”.

Designed for you

Mobility should be safe and easy for everyone. Still, people with visual impairments can be constantly under stress once they leave their homes. We have been working closely with blind associations to make sure we meet their expectations: navigating the world with confidence, independence, and ease.

All you need to do is say where you want to go, and follow the precise 3D audio cues, like a friend is calling you.

Have a relaxing journey

Don’t overload your mind with instructions and directions of when to turn next. Move along to a relaxing tune or a drumbeat instead.

Hear your surroundings

Spatial audio cues guide you in the right direction, designed to not be overwhelming so you can still hear the sounds around you.

Easy to use for everyone

The app interface is designed to be accessible to people with low sight: high-contrast mode, font sizes with great readability, and buttons positioned to be easy to use.
“Did the Beethoven statue just told me

it was created by Caspar Zumbusch?”

Designed for you

Traveling is great. Feeling lost in an unknown place: not so much. Because waveOut uses spatial audio cues that guide you to your destination you will stroll around like a local, intuitively and with no need to look at your phone’s screen. And the best part is that you can create your personalized tour.

Culture is never enough, right? Make your short trips count and learn about the history and the art around you.

Discover what’s around you

Easily find the best close by cultural spots, historical landmarks, and restaurants.

Enjoy offline mode

No data abroad? No problem. Save your routes in advance and use the app while you are offline.

Make your own tours

Point your phone’s camera to a landmark or historical site and hear the stories behind it, with no need to take your eyes off of it [coming soon].
“I feel safer and less overwhelmed, it allows me

to focus on cycling and unload my mind”

Designed for you

Just like you, we love cycling. And we know that cycling in a busy city among cars and other bikes while looking at your phone can be stressful, and unsafe. We want to make your bike rides faster, safer, and more relaxed.

With intuitive spatial audio cues, there’s no more need to take your eyes off the road or overload your mind with verbal instructions.

Stay safe and screen-free

There’s no more need to take your eyes off the street. Just follow a drumbeat or a relaxing melody, and enjoy your ride at ease.

Hear your surroundings

Spatial audio cues guide you in the right direction, designed to not be overwhelming so you can still hear the sounds around you.

Control the bike traffic lights

Your dreams have come true: plan your ride according to the traffic lights and know when to speed up or cool down for a green or red light [soon available for routes in The Netherlands].

Plan your next trip easily and comfortably online.
Save it on your account.
Start that route in waveOut mobile later.
You can also save your favorite places, they will be synchronized and live in your account.

Outdoor Navigation: Virtual waypoints are placed automatically along the path you need to follow. The waypoints are connected with the real world but only exist in the app: your reality is augmented.
Hands Free: The waypoints can be heard naturally with spatial audio: simply follow the sounds you hear. No need to look at the screen.
Hear the obstacles: Spatial sounds can be assigned to obstacles along the way. Making you more aware of what to avoid.
Familiar routes: We will take you as much as possible through places and routes you already know.
Avoid challenging locations: Avoid going through crowded places, large squares or construction sites.
Increased awareness: Hear a description of shops and other points of interest around you as you walk

Product Instructions

Hugo Furtado . CEO

Hugo has been a researcher in the field of medical augmented reality and Computer Vision for over 10 years. He is also passionate about spatial audio. He conceived and implemented the original idea for Dreamwaves.
Liliana Calapez . UX

Liliana is a Communication Designer with a degree in multimedia and communication design and a technical specialization in graphic design. She has over 10 years of experience in product design and online marketing agencies.
Alessandro Mulloni . CTO

Alessandro is a passionate designer, developer and user of mobile tools that make life easier. He has been creating interactive mobile experiences for more than 15 years.
Elke Mattheiss . Data Science and Analytics

Elke is an experienced UX researcher and data scientist with a degree in psychology and software engineering. She has applied quantitative research methods for over 10 years, partially with focus on navigation as well as accessibility for people with visual impairments.
Lukas Zimmermann . Machine Learning

Lukas is a biomedical engineer who worked in the field of medical physics and computer vision for over 5 years. His research focused on the utilization of deep learning models to extract meaningful and valuable information from medical images.
Bruna Cataldi . Content Creator and Community Manager

Bruna has worked in communications and content production in Europe and Latin America for the last nine years. She has a Master's degree in Arts and Media and is passionate about hope-based communications. Bruna aims to develop narratives that positively impact people's lives.
Alexandre Gil Campos . Software Developer

Alexandre is a computer science engineer who believes that technology can play a key role in creating positive impact. He developed an AR mobile app for assisting first responders in disaster situations and is working in the development of web applications for over 2 years.
Sam Parke-Wolf . Software Developer

Sam is a Software Engineer beginning his career working on audio applications and machine learning and recently pivoting towards mobile applications and tools. Sam holds a degree in Music and Computer Science from Goldsmiths, University of London.