DAB RADIOS FOR ACOUSTIC SOLUTIONS

A market-expanding design language for DAB radios

  • Project Date: 2004

DAB Radios

The digital radio market in Europe has grown tremendously during the past few years. Given Europe's strong radio-listening culture, Acoustic Solutions saw a market opportunity for putting a new product on the market that wouldn't require a PhD in mechanical engineering to operate. The firm sought IDEO to create a quality digital audio broadcast (DAB) radio with a simple, iconic design that could sell for under EU100.

The result is the DAB/FM Radio, a device that looks like a classical radio rather than a piece of high-tech equipment, yet it offers the benefits of digital sounds. Benefitting from an intuitive interface that digitally displays the names of the radio stations and other information, the listener can easily control volume and operate the radio's tuner without a user's manual. Compact, portable, and versatile, the design is equally at home in a workspace, bedroom, kitchen, or den.

DAB is also easily manufactured, made of high-quality plastic moldings with a molded plastic handle that sports a soft-touch finish. The design will easily accommodate future versions that can employ different materials to appeal to a variety of lifestyles and trends. DAB is now on sale through the United Kingdom's largest catalog and mail-order company.