In the automotive world, sound is no longer just a by-product of mechanical operation, but an integral part of vehicle design. With the development of Active Sound Design (ASD), automakers are able to reshape the sound of their vehicles to enhance the driving experience. We will delve into ASD technology, revealing how this sound design affects the interior and exterior environments of the car and changes the way consumers feel.
Active sound design is a sound technology concept designed to change or enhance the sound experience inside and outside the vehicle.
Active sound design uses existing vehicle hardware to cancel unwanted noise and synthesizes audio to create a new sound. As environmental regulations become increasingly stringent, the noise of many small engines is even more unsatisfactory. For example, a traditional exhaust note can sound boring, while the high-frequency sounds of electric vehicles can be annoying to passengers. ASD came into being.
In active sound design, the main technologies include active noise cancellation (ANC) and engine sound enhancement (ESE). ANC is used to eliminate unwanted internal noise, while ESE uses real engine data to synthesize a louder and more dynamic engine sound.
“As fuel economy demands increase, the sound of traditional internal combustion engines becomes unappealing, prompting manufacturers to explore ASD technology to improve sound quality.”
As consumer demand for vehicle sound rises, many brands choose to invest in vehicle sound design to strengthen brand identity. Through ASD, car manufacturers can not only improve the sound quality, but also create a unique driving atmosphere. Brands such as BMW and Kia have implemented this technology in their models and have received positive market response.
However, for ordinary consumers, the introduction of ASD is not always welcomed. Some BW models have aroused doubts from users. Some comments pointed out that the authenticity of synthetic sounds is insufficient, causing dissatisfaction among consumers. Other brands are strengthening their market position by adjusting the sound design of their vehicles.
“With the rise of electric and hybrid vehicles, striving for a pleasant driving sound has become a new challenge for manufacturers.”
For electric and fuel cell vehicles, the lack of engine noise makes brand recognition more difficult. Therefore, many manufacturers are faced with a choice: reproduce the traditional engine sound, or create a completely new sound concept? This decision will greatly affect consumers' recognition of the product.
Many engineers pointed out that there is no unified standard for synthetic sound requirements in today's market, and how to effectively reproduce the sound effects of changes in engine microstructure is a big challenge. Through digital signal processing technology, ASD does have the opportunity to fill these sonic gaps.
Active sound design not only changes the traditional driving experience, its potential is obvious to all. As technology advances, car driving in the future may become more immersive and a multi-sensory experience. We can’t help but ask, with the advancement of car sound design, how will the future driving experience change and evolve?