Barkings, traffic or construction noises can be frightening for people with autism and hearing disorders. Unfear is the first intelligent noise cancellation app that protects people with acoustic sensitivity from stressful noises. An advanced AI tool that continuously listens, pinpointing every sound before cross-referencing in real-time with thousands of audio libraries to suppress only the noises that affect the user.

This audio solution goes beyond existing noise cancellation, because it is a technology that can be customized to assist each user according to their needs and the sounds that bother them. It has been developed and tested together with otorhinolaryngologists and has the scientific endorsement of the Spanish Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health.

There are 70m people on the autism spectrum in the world.

For them, everyday, regular sounds can provoke panic attacks.

Until now, noise cancellation was their only alternative but this also isolates them from the world around them.

Samsung presents Unfear.

A revolutionary artificial intelligence app, that goes beyond noise cancellation to create a personalized and autonomous solution.

Unfear is an intelligent pre-emptive solution that identifies and suppresses the noises that generate panic attacks in people with autism and hearing disorders. By listening to the environment Unfear pinpoints all sounds before cross-referencing them in real-time with thousands of audio libraries all without the user having to do a thing.

For you, this is an example of what a downtown street sounds like:

SFX: Downtown street

AVO: And for an ASD sufferer, this is how that same street sounds with Unfear.

SFX: Lowered downtown street

AVO: When installing the app, Unfear’s algorithm prompts users to create a custom

selection of additional noises they may be sensitive to.

Unfear also works inside of users’ phones, automatically filtering the entertainment content, such as video games, music, Netflix, video streaming platforms and social media, opening up all kinds of entertainment that was until now, inaccessible to them.

This is what a game like Call of Duty sounds without Unfear.

SFX: explosions and guns.

And, with Unfear, this how the same game sounds for ASD sufferers.

SFX: explosions, guns (LOWERED)

In case of anxiety for a reason unrelated to sounds, Unfear can also help them out of that situation through a keyword voice recognition.

Relaxing binaural sounds are immediately activated bringing the sufferer back to a state of normality.

Unfear was developed over 9 months with 10 ASD organisations and over 100 ASD patients and doctors. The app has received 4.9 out of 5 rating and the scientific endorsement of Spain’s Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health.

Please see the case video for a full demonstration.

Samsung Unfear.

Freedom to listen, live

Situation: Globally, 70M people are on the autism spectrum. They suffer panic attacks and anxiety crises due to hyperacusis (sensitivity to specific noises, such as barks, sirens or construction works).

Brief: Actual Noise cancellation technology blocks all noises for people with autism. But this also isolates them. Samsung needed a smart and universal solution to suppress the noises without limiting the lives of over 450K ASD Spaniards.

Objective: Use an existing Samsung technology: the Galaxy Buds2 Pro wireless earphones. Through this wearable device we created an A.I App that suppresses certain noises and improves the quality of life of people with ASD. With Unfear we transform Samsung’s devices into an effective and free tool that gives a new audio experience to the ASD collective and other people suffering from hyperacusis.

To date, Unfear had a positive rating of 4.9/5 in the testing phase, has been scientifically endorsed by the Spanish Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health, and the reviews from specialized doctors and ASD associations have been great.

Since its launch, it has been downloaded daily in Spain and the promotional videos have 1M of earned media around the globe.

During the first months of the app, Samsung has donated over 100 Galaxy Buds2 Pro to the main ASD associations to increase the use of the app, give visibility to the group and reaffirm with facts and not words, the brand's commitment to Spanish society.

Unfear continues the work done by Samsung in its Technology with Purpose campaign. For a decade, it has worked on more than 30 projects with an investment of €25M to help and improve people's lives through technology and innovation.

Unfear is a free to use intelligent pre-emptive solution that identifies and suppresses the noises that generate panic attacks in ASD people. By listening to the environment Unfear pinpoints all sounds before cross-referencing them in real-time with thousands of audio libraries all without the user having to do a thing.

It’s customizable as anyone can previously select the noises that affect them and the algorithm will suppress them automatically and in real time.

Unfear creates a sonic airbag that protects the user from noises from outside and inside the mobile (digital audio contents). When panic attacks happen, the user can return to normality activating relaxing binaural sounds through voice recognition. This gives ASD people the autonomy and freedom to go anywhere. Something that regular noise cancellation couldn’t do.

Spain is one the most sociable countries in the world and one of the loudest too, so it’s natural that a tool that allows sufferers to interact with the environment and the people was very well received. Unfear goes beyond noise cancellation, creating a great solution for the ASD collective.This new customizable app they can interact with sounds in their everyday lives no matter the noise conditions giving them the opportunity to not miss any interaction.