Language
Country/Area
No result found
The sounds of gas cars and electric cars are very different! Why don't we hear the familiar roar of engines anymore?
In recent years, the sound characteristics of cars have changed fundamentally due to the shift from fuel vehicles to electric vehicles. Many synthetic engine sound technologies are emerging. The noise while driving is no longer the roar of the traditional engine, but a change under the new sound design, which also makes consumers rethink their perception of car sounds.
Active Sound Design (ASD) is a concept in acoustic technology used to alter or enhance the sound inside and outside a car.
The concept of active sound design relies on advanced noise control technology to enhance the driving experience and improve driving safety. Traditional fuel vehicle engines produce a unique and recognizable sound, which establishes the auditory memory of the car brand. As electric and hybrid vehicles advance in technology, these models generally lack such engine sounds, and are replaced by high-frequency operating noises that may be unpleasant to people and even pose a potential safety hazard to pedestrians.
Why Active Sound Design?
With increasing environmental regulations and fuel economy demands, conventional engine noise is increasingly seen as a nuisance. While the quiet operation of electric vehicles enhances driving comfort, it also makes many car owners miss the engine sound of old cars. This makes it increasingly important to turn to ASD to improve the driving experience.
As a result, consumers are demanding more pleasant internal sounds and sound performance that can serve as a means of brand identification.
Composition and changes of sound
ASD technology uses a variety of technologies, including Active Noise Control (ANC) and Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE), by changing the sound characteristics of the engine when it is operating. The common goal of these technologies is to allow drivers to feel the power and performance of the car, rather than just a visual experience.
For example, ANC technology uses the vehicle's audio hardware to cancel unwanted noise, while ESE technology synthesizes an optimal sound based on real-time engine data, which is then played through the car's speaker system. Create a more dynamic driving atmosphere.
Consumer Responses to ASD
For most consumers, the presence of ASD may seem unnoticeable, but there are many tutorials circulating on social media for disabling Active Sound Design, especially on BMW models. This suggests that synthetic engine sounds are seen as a scam among some consumers, leading to brand loyalty challenges for manufacturers.
Brand voice of electric vehicles
While traditional fuel vehicles provide acoustic feedback that reflects the brand’s identity during operation, electric vehicles face a greater challenge. The lack of obvious engine sound makes consumers unaware of the vehicle’s power status and speed, so manufacturers need to use ASD to create brand sound effects to make the sound of electric vehicles no longer monotonous.
The brand sound design includes a set of structured sound signatures that change with acceleration and load.
ASD Examples from Different Car Manufacturers
As ASD is used by multiple automakers, brands such as BMW, Kia, and Porsche have their own unique sound designs. BMW's M5, for example, enhances interior sound through the engine management system, and the driver can select different driving modes to vary the intensity of the sound. At the same time, Kia Stinger also offers a variety of driving modes to meet consumer preferences.
Under such circumstances, consumer demand has also prompted manufacturers to continuously explore more personalized and brand-specific sound design methods to enhance the overall driving experience.
ConclusionWith market changes, the evolution of consumer demand, and the advancement of environmental protection trends, automotive sound design is becoming increasingly important. Active sound design also influences the driver's perception and emotional connection with the car. In the future development of automobiles, how many new sound technologies will make us rediscover the joy of driving?
