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Vehicle interior noise is largely caused by road noise that is generated when
tires come in contact with the road, along with wind, and it's pretty
annoying, and often increases driver fatigue, which is one of the
most common contributory factors of car accidents. Road noise has a
significant impact on the entire driving experience, and in recent
years, many car makers have increased their efforts for reducing
noise inside vehicles, by employing various noise-cancellation
systems, as well as innovative materials that can dampen the noise
more efficiently.
The latest innovation in road noise cancellation technology comes from
Harman - a company that manufactures audio and infotainment
equipment for cars, homes, and venues, and provides audio systems for
some of the world's largest automakers, including General Motors and
Toyota. Harman has developed the HALOsonic system, which eliminates
road noise through a series of Active Noise Control
Technologies, that involve accelerometers, microphones, and a
controller. The HALOsonic noise management solution was developed in
collaboration with Lotus Engineering, and it aims to provide a
quieter ride for all vehicle occupants.
Harman's
solution is based on the technology employed in noise-canceling
headphones, in order to insulate the car's interior. There are
microphones placed on several places in the car's cabin, under the
carpet, as well as on the wheel wells, in addition to accelerometers
in the chassis, to detect unwanted sounds coming from outside the
vehicle, and transmit them to the controller, which creates inverse
sound waves with the help of an algorithm, and releases them through
the car's speakers, to cancel out the undesired noise. At the same
time, while engine noise and various road-induced sounds are being
eliminated, desirable sounds are preserved, such as music from the
car's infotainment system, thus ensuring an enjoyable riding
experience.
Harman was prompted to develop this kind of technology by the trend for lighter, more fuel efficient vehicles, which has resulted in reduced noise-dampening capabilities. Automakers nowadays tend to use lighter materials in order to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel economy, and those materials don't provide a very good insulation. The company says that "combined with universal trend for wider, low profile tires, road noise emanates through the structure of the vehicle, creating a 'droning' noise. This noise can induce driver fatigue and is annoying, with zero purpose or benefit."
This technology could help eliminate some of the most common causes of car accidents - driver fatigue and driver distraction. Unwanted and annoying sounds inside the cabin can affect a driver's focus and take their attention away from the road, making them less alert and increasing the risk of accident. In addition to that, monotonous low-frequency noise coming from other vehicles or from your car's engine or tires contacting the road surface, are one of the causes of drowsy driving, which can make a driver fall asleep behind the wheel. This means that Harman's HALOsonic noise-canceling solution can have a great impact on road safety and help prevent car accidents once it becomes commercially available, which could happen pretty soon, considering that the company already supplies a few automakers with its audio and infotainment systems.
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Re: Harman Introduces Road Noise Cancellation Technology
