Project Overview

The Sound Demonstration Car, developed between 2019 and 2021, served as both a showcase for potential clients and an R&D platform for advancing intelligent driving sounds. It was the result of a collaborative effort between engineers, sound designers, and UX designers, combining expertise from multiple disciplines to create an innovative and immersive experience.

Equipped with cutting-edge audio systems, the car included both interior sound profiles for the driver’s experience and exterior sounds for Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS), ensuring compliance with safety regulations while maintaining sonic creativity.

The car featured three distinct driving sound profiles: a powerful, combustion-inspired sound; a typical electric, energetic sound; and a calming ambient sound designed to influence the emotional state of the driver. It also included an AI-driven blending mechanism that adapted sound profiles seamlessly to driver behavior, showcasing the potential for intelligent and personalized soundscapes.

This platform allowed the team to refine their understanding of sound design in electric vehicles, enhancing real-time adaptability, user experience, and emotional impact. By combining a realistic driving experience with advanced technology, the Sound Demonstration Car became a pivotal tool for collaboration with OEMs and laid the groundwork for future projects such as the EVX Suite.

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Objectives

• Showcased the potential of intelligent driving sounds to OEMs and industry stakeholders through a fully functional demonstration car.
• Developed distinct driving sound profiles.
• Ensured seamless integration of both interior driving sounds and exterior AVAS sounds, meeting safety regulations while maintaining creative flexibility.
• Designed an adaptable blending system to dynamically switch between sound profiles based on real-time driver behavior.
• Used the car as an R&D environment to test, evaluate, and iterate on new sound algorithms and UX concepts for future applications.

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Solutions

• Integrated high-quality interior audio systems and AVAS exterior sound systems into a Tesla Model 3, creating a comprehensive platform for showcasing intelligent driving sounds.
• Designed and implemented three distinct driving sound profiles—powerful, energetic, and calming—optimized for both interior and exterior soundscapes.
• Researched on the relationship between sound and well-being, using these insights to create a calming ambient sound profile designed to positively influence driver emotions.
• Developed sound algorithms that are they aligned with the unique requirements of the driving sound profiles.
• Simplified the interface for the showcase, allowing users to manually select sound profiles to experience them individually without linking them to driving behavior.
• Focused the interface on clarity and ease of use, highlighting the distinct characteristics of each sound profile for maximum impact during demonstrations.
• Collaborated with engineers, sound designers, and UX designers to integrate the audio, AI, and interface elements into a cohesive, polished final product.

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Outcomes

• Secured new customers in the premium automotive segment, expanding opportunities for future collaborations.
• Successfully advanced the development of the EVX Suite within the Tesla Model 3, laying the foundation for a comprehensive sound design platform.
• Strengthened the perception of the company as an industry leader in intelligent driving sounds and innovative sound algorithms.
• Demonstrated the viability and versatility of integrating AVAS and interior sound solutions into electric vehicles, meeting both creative and regulatory demands.
• Provided a compelling showcase that deepened industry interest in adaptive and emotional soundscapes for electric vehicles.
• Opened doors to new projects beyond the automotive industry, demonstrating the adaptability and appeal of the sound design solutions in other sectors.

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