How a cancelled conference inspired Danny Manu to develop wireless earbuds that can translate speech, music in over 40 languages

A conference involving sound engineers from across Europe had to be cancelled because the participants could not find translators. For Ghanaian-British inventor Danny Manu, the experience sparked an idea: what if people could understand one another across language barriers without needing a human interpreter? Years later, that idea became Mymanu, a technology company developing wireless earbuds that translate conversations in real time.

Manu, who has a background in sound engineering and technology, founded Mymanu in 2014. Its first major translation product, the Mymanu CLIK earbuds, was launched in 2016 following a crowdfunding campaign. The company has since expanded its range, with its newer Orb earbuds offering live translation in more than 40 languages, alongside features for calls, music and audio transcription.

The experience that inspired Danny Manu to develop translation earbuds

Manu's idea came from a problem he encountered while working with sound engineers from different parts of Europe. At a conference, language differences became such a hurdle that the event had to be cancelled because translators were unavailable.


The incident made him think about whether technology could help people communicate directly, even when they did not speak the same language. Instead of relying on an interpreter, he wanted to develop a device that could deliver translated speech through a person's ears.

His professional experience helped him pursue the idea. Manu had worked in sound engineering and technology, giving him an understanding of audio equipment and the technical challenges involved in developing wireless devices.

He began working on the concept and established Mymanu in 2014. The company set out to develop audio products that combined conventional earphone functions with software designed to make communication across languages easier.

How Mymanu CLIK earbuds brought the idea to life

Mymanu's first major translation product was CLIK, which launched in 2016 after a crowdfunding campaign. The company says the campaign raised more than $500,000, helping it take the product from development to market.

The wireless earbuds were designed to work with a smartphone and a companion application. Users could connect the device through Bluetooth and use its translation function to understand conversations in different languages. The original product supported real-time voice translation, along with regular earphone functions such as music playback and calls.

The company subsequently introduced other versions, including CLIK S. Its translation technology was designed to help people communicate during travel, meetings and everyday interactions where language differences could otherwise become an obstacle.

Building the business was not straightforward. Manu has spoken about the difficulties he faced in securing funding as a Black entrepreneur in the UK. He relied on personal savings, product sales and crowdfunding to support the venture rather than depending entirely on conventional investment.

Mymanu Orb: How the newer earbuds translate over 40 languages

Mymanu has continued developing its translation technology, with Orb among its newer products. Unlike traditional earbuds that sit inside the ear canal, Orb uses an open-ear design, allowing users to hear their surroundings while listening to audio.

The device supports live translation for phone calls and face-to-face conversations in more than 40 languages. It is designed to deliver translated speech through the earbuds, helping people follow conversations without having to constantly look at a phone screen.

The product also offers features beyond translation, including music playback, call support and tools that convert speech into text. According to Mymanu's product listing, Orb has Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity and offers up to 35 hours of battery life with its charging case.

Mymanu lists the Orb earbuds at $179.99, which is approximately Rs 16,000 before any applicable taxes, shipping charges or import costs. The company's older CLIK range is also listed on its website, although the original CLIK+ founding edition is no longer in production.

How the company expanded beyond translation earphones

Mymanu's work has not been limited to translation earbuds. The company has also developed other audio products, including Gabby, a waterproof wireless speaker designed to support calls and music playback.

Its wider product development reflects Manu's interest in combining sound technology with practical everyday uses. The company has sought to make its devices useful not only for travellers but also for people attending international meetings, working with colleagues abroad or communicating with people who speak different languages.

Mymanu's translation products have also drawn attention to the challenges of developing technology for a linguistically diverse world. Manu has previously discussed the possibility of expanding support for African languages, which can involve accounting for different dialects, accents and speech patterns.

From an event cancelled because translators were unavailable to a range of earbuds designed to make multilingual conversations easier, Manu's journey has centred on one problem: helping people understand one another without language becoming a barrier.