Press and Media

Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, the University of Hamburg, Freie Universität Berlin and the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT show in a recent publication in the journal Nature Climate Change that television in Germany remains one of the most important media for engaging with the issue of climate change. Moreover, television can contribute to societal consensus-building. The study finds that climate-related television content primarily reaches news-oriented audiences, while disengaged and sceptical groups rarely encounter the topic due to their preferred TV formats.

The 3D audio technology SpatialSound Wave, developed by Fraunhofer IDMT, now delivers an impressive spatial sound experience in all Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with the latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. Music, voices and sound events no longer appear close to the loudspeakers, but unfold as an immersive, three-dimensional soundscape throughout the entire vehicle interior. Even conventional stereo music content becomes spatially perceptible. The intensity of this spatial sound can be individually adjusted. With the integration of Fraunhofer technology, Mercedes-Benz is introducing an innovative approach to spatial audio reproduction in vehicles equipped with the 4th generation of the MBUX infotainment system. The launch starts with the new models Mercedes-Benz CLA, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Mercedes-Benz GLB and Mercedes-Benz S-Class; additional model series will follow.

Music rights can be a real problem for figure skaters, as recent headlines surrounding the 2026 Olympics have shown. Spanish figure skater Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté, known for his free skate to music from the Minions film series, became embroiled in a rights controversy shortly before his Olympic debut in Milan-Cortina: The music he had used in many competitions throughout the season was initially not allowed to be used at the Olympic Games because the necessary copyright approvals were not confirmed in time – just a few days before the start of the competitions.

In film, television, streaming, or live productions, ensuring good speech intelligibility is one of the biggest challenges for professional sound engineers. Algorithms developed by Fraunhofer IDMT in Oldenburg, Germany analyze listening effort in real time and provide recommendations for adjustments. In addition, the digital assistant ”YourSound” enables users of audio devices and infotainment systems to playfully adapt audio to their personal preferences. But the researchers not only focus on software: Fraunhofer IDMT brings AES67 to DSP hardware for audio over IP. Visit us at The NAMM Show in Anaheim, USA, from January 22-24, 2026, at our booth 14916/5 (German Pavilion) or at www.idmt.fraunhofer.de/hsa.

Fraunhofer IDMT in Oldenburg has developed an intelligent sensor solution that detects drones even outside the line of sight. The acoustic detection technology can be combined with radar, camera, and lidar to form a complete system.

In film, television, streaming, or live productions, ensuring good speech intelligibility is one of the biggest challenges for professional sound engineers. Algorithms developed by Fraunhofer IDMT in Oldenburg provide recommendations for action based on an objective analysis of listening effort in real time. With many years of close collaboration and research cooperation, RTW has now integrated these technologies into its hardware-based audio measurement platform.

From September 23 to 25, 2025, the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT will be presenting a system for intelligent acoustic monitoring of technical systems in aquaculture farms at Aquaculture Europe 2025 in Valencia, Spain. The aim is to enable these farms to operate more sustainably and efficiently while improving animal welfare.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT will present its updated Content Verification Toolbox at International Broadcasting Convention IBC 2025, taking place from September 12 to 15 in Amsterdam. The Content Verification Toolbox is a suite of tools for detecting manipulation, synthesis, and decontextualization in audio and audio-visual material, while also supporting active content authentication. It offers explainable and continuously evolving methods, based on signal analysis and machine learning, and can be integrated into content verification workflows

The Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT will be presenting a car that can hear at the IAA MOBILITY trade show in Munich. The researchers have developed a prototype that incorporates acoustic sensors into the vehicle technology, thereby enhancing safety and reliability on the road.

From 12 to 15 September 2025, the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT will be showcasing its media intelligence solution InsightPersona at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam. InsightPersona combines face and speaker recognition with speech transcription to rapidly and reliably analyze vast audiovisual archives. Users gain a quick, comprehensive overview of who appeared when, where and on which topics — without the need for manual, time-consuming research.