ViviTouch - Take the Power of Live Music Anywhere

Next generation headphone technology to bring games, music and movies alive like never before

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Enjoying games, music and movies with a headset is about to change forever. By integrating ViviTouch® actuators, headphones will soon rival the power of live music performances and true cinema sound.

“Soon, consumers will have an audio experience beyond what they’ve thought was even possible from headphones”

Artificial Muscle, the company behind ViviTouch, is now applying ElectroActive Polymer technology in a brand new way to the portable audio category. Headphones using ViviTouch actuators won’t just amplify what you hear, but will amplify the actual experience of hearing. ViviTouch actuators produce a one-of-a-kind cinematic sensation that bridges the senses of seeing, hearing and feeling.

By leveraging the sensitivity of the skin around the ears, the technology can simulate a live venue experience without pushing the actual volume to potentially harmful levels. The first headphones featuring ViviTouch actuators will arrive later this year.

“Soon, consumers will have an audio experience beyond what they’ve thought was even possible from headphones,” said Dirk Schapeler, president and CEO of Artificial Muscle, Inc., a Bayer MaterialScience LLC company. “ViviTouch technology allows users to feel powerful bass that they’d only get in concert venues, clubs or theaters with the volume to the max. You’re not just making the sound loud and louder, but feel more lush and alive. We’ve gained traction with audio and gaming hardware companies from around the world who are already integrating ViviTouch actuators into their product lines, and we’re seeing great enthusiasm for the technology so far.”

Much more information about ViviTouch-enabled headsets will be available in the coming months. Demonstrations of headsets with ViviTouch actuators will be on display at E3 2012 on June 5-7 in South Hall booth #2859.

About ViviTouch:

ViviTouch® actuators intensify sensory entertainment experiences by bridging the gap between sight, sound and feel. Audiences will feel a closer connection to their favorite entertainment, whether in music, video games, TV or film. In haptics, ViviTouch actuators bring High Definition feel to a world of High Definition audio and video. In audio, ViviTouch actuators can make sounds come alive by amplifying the experience of hearing, not just what you hear.

About Artificial Muscle:

Artificial Muscle, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer MaterialScience LLC, is a leading supplier and developer of electroactive polymer products. AMI has rights to over 70 issued patents, including the base patents for this technology.

About Bayer MaterialScience LLC:

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,800 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2011 sales of 10.8 billion euros. Bayer MaterialScience’s 2011 sales in North America were $2.9 billion. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

For more information about ViviTouch® technology, visit www.vivitouch.com.

For more information about Artificial Muscle, visit www.artificialmuscle.com.

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience LLC, visit www.bmsnafta.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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