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The fact that this new form of
transportation is particularly quiet is, of course, another
factor of its success. After all, environment-friendly
automobiles should not only reduce emissions, but also noise
pollution. However, speed without the typical road noises that
serve as a signal harbors risks: The sense of hearing allows
participants in traffic to monitor all 360 degrees of their
surroundings, whereas the eyes only cover a limited angle.
People with poorer vision or who are distracted can easily
overlook a car.
Organizations for the blind
worldwide therefore advocate giving quiet cars a unique sound;
specifications or laws to this effect are already in place in
the U.S.A. and Japan.
The sound technicians at Audi have
long since taken up the task of protecting pedestrians in the
electric mobility era. “One way do this is by generating
artificial noise in electric cars,” says Kunkel. The
acousticians are currently hard at work on the sound design of
the Audi e-tron. It is not just a matter of safety, but also a
question of how the Audi of the future should sound.
“The obvious approach would be to
work on the basis of the familiar sound of a combustion engine,”
says Christian Schüller, Head of Brand Development/Corporate
Identity. “On the other hand, we want to underscore that an
electric or hybrid Audi is an innovative product. We also want
to make our Vorsprung durch Technik audible in the era of
electric mobility.”
The rustling of leaves, the
twittering of birds or shrill tones such as those used on snow
cats are therefore not viable options. However: “The sounds used
for space ships in films are reminiscent of car sounds, yet are
also very different, making this a rather interesting approach,”
says Kunkel. An Audi will not sound like an airplane with jet
engines or a space ship from a science fiction film any time
soon, though. “But the sound will be new and unusual. The Audi
RSQ from the Hollywood film I, Robot gives an indication of how
an Audi might sound in the future.”
Photo: Audi
(Nov 2, 2010)
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