"Strong distribution partnerships are a key part of HiWave's growth strategy. We were particularly impressed by RS' DesignSpark PCB design software and online community, which will help us to further extend our reach to OEMs and innovators globally," stated Caroline O'Brien, chief commercial officer at HiWave.

"HiWave is renowned for its innovative technology, which is transforming the design of many industrial and consumer electronic products," stated Fred Knowles, head of product management, electronics at RS Components. "By partnering with HiWave we are underlining our commitment to supply our engineering community with advanced technologies and components that help them differentiate their designs."

HiWave claims to be a leader in bending-wave haptic feedback devices that accurately simulate the feeling of a mechanical button press, can deliver the response to anywhere on a panel or touch screen or be programmed to give a specific response at a specific set of co-ordinates. The same devices can deliver an audio response from a flat panel to replace the need for additional loud speakers.

HiWave's audio components include amplifier ICs that according to the company consume one twentieth the power of comparable topologies, enabling 2x15W amplified speakers to be powered from a single USB port, or wireless speakers that run for 40 hours from a single AA battery. The company's patented BMR speaker drivers are exceptionally compact units that deliver full frequency audio over a wide distribution angle, added the company.

Stock availability is anticipated in August 2012 for customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This will subsequently be extended to the rest of the world.