Language
Country/Area
No result found
Why do the high-frequency sounds of modern electric vehicles make pedestrians and passengers feel uneasy? How can active sound design solve this problem?
With the increasing advancement of electric vehicle technology, the market demand for electric vehicles has increased dramatically. However, many pedestrians and passengers are disturbed by the high-frequency sounds emitted by electric vehicles, a phenomenon that has drawn the attention of automakers. In order to improve user experience and pedestrian safety, Active Sound Design (ASD) has become an effective solution to deal with this problem.
High-frequency sounds of electric vehicles and threats to pedestrians
Because electric and fuel cell vehicles use high-frequency sounds, these vehicles lack the distinctive engine sound of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. This atypical sound often makes it difficult for surrounding pedestrians to recognize oncoming vehicles, increasing the risk of traffic accidents.
The quietness of electric vehicles has also become a huge hidden danger, especially for pedestrians with visual impairments. The inability to hear the sound of approaching vehicles will put them in great danger when crossing the road.
Principles and applications of active sound design
Active sound design is a concept that uses acoustic technology to adjust or enhance the sound inside and outside the vehicle. It combines technologies such as active noise control and sound enhancement to generate synthetic vehicle sounds. ASD can improve pedestrian and passenger experiences by amplifying or reducing existing sounds, or even creating entirely new sounds.
Many car manufacturers, such as Audi, Ford and Tesla, have adopted active sound design technology in their new models in an attempt to create a more comfortable sound environment for electric vehicles.
Main components of ASD
In active sound design, there are several key technologies that form its core, including active noise cancellation (ANC) and engine sound enhancement (ESE). ANC uses the existing hardware in the vehicle audio system to eliminate unnecessary internal noise, while ESE enhances the engine sound by synthesizing noise and adjusts the sound experience in the car based on real-time engine data.
Customer response and brand recognition
However, not all consumers are highly receptive to active sound design. Many consumers think that synthesized engine sounds are unnatural and even feel like they are being cheated. This leaves carmakers with the challenge of creating a brand identity, having to choose between recreating the sound of a traditional internal combustion engine or creating an entirely new one.
Challenges faced and future prospects
The implementation of active sound design faces many challenges, including fine-grained sound differentiation of the car's interior environment and consumer expectations for sound authenticity. As market demand increases, car manufacturers continue to innovate in technology and design, striving to create a more attractive sound experience for vehicles.
In the future, we can’t help but wonder: Can technology solve the sound problem of electric vehicles while achieving the dual goals of pedestrian safety and consumer satisfaction?
