Audi E-Sound (2:02) The sense of hearing provides the brain with acoustic signals that warn of approaching danger be it predators or, more often today, auto and truck traffic. The development of electrically operated vehicles has the potential of quieting the soundscape, but at the same time creates issues of safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and others who encounter e-cars and trucks in crosswalks and other situations where the two come together. Replacing the sound of the combustion engine with electronic motor sounds has become an issue for many and a challenge for car designers.
This video looks at the development of 'e-sound" by Audi. This is a realtime technique of generating synthetic motor sounds for the essentially silent vehicle in order to warn pedestrians and cyclists of the car's proximity. Source: VIMEO.
That is a great idea, and I'm glad to see that someone else has realized that quieter doesn't always equal better especially when it comes to vehicles. With the high speeds that people drive(regardless of speed limits) and the landscape (corners, bends, other traffic noise, etc.) it is certainly an issue, especially for those that depend on their hearing.
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