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HALOsonic Electronic Sound Synthesis: Sound where you need it

HALOsonic technology encompasses not only the cancellation of sounds, but also the creation of sounds through Electronic Sound Synthesis (ESS). Sounds may be produced on the outside of a car for hybrid and electric vehicles in order to enhance pedestrian safety. Sounds may also be produced inside the car for improved driver feedback and enhanced driving experience.

Enhancing safety, branding and customer satisfaction through Electronic Sound Synthesis.

Overview of ESS:

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Together, HARMAN and Lotus Engineering have created HALOsonic, a tailor made suite of sound solutions, including Electronic Sound Synthesis.

When it comes to cars, sound plays a huge part in the choices people make. The way a car door sounds when it is closed and the way the engine roars when you are hitting the accelerator can make or break a sale. In striving to reduce the environmental impact of cars with combustion engines, engineers are developing “downsized” engines with smaller displacements, fewer cylinders and the addition of turbo- and superchargers. Moreover, OEMs actively pursue fuel saving, emission-reducing measures such as cylinder shutdowns that attenuate original engine noise.

HARMAN engineers have set out to improve the sound of the various pro-pulsion concepts, making the engine sound mightier than it actually is. To improve the driving experience, this technology enables sound contouring

inside the car by creating speed- and throttle-dependent sounds through the standard speaker system. The system delivers improved engine feedback and makes drivers feel connected to the car they drive.

Internal Electronic Sound Synthesis (iESS)

The Problem: The Solution:

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iESS improves the sound of the various propulsion concepts, making the engine sound mightier than it actually is.

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How It Works:

The Benefits

ROAD NOISE RNC SIGNAL NOISE REDUCTIONESS SIGNALVEHICLE INTERNAL SOUND

INTERNALLOUDSPEAKERS

iESS CONTROLLER

• iESS helps synthesize an exhilarating engine sound that adds a very emotional element to the overall driving experience

• iESS helps reinstate original engine sound in case of sound loss due to OEM features such as cylinder shutdown and use of downsized engines

• iESS can offer multiple engine sound modes (for example: normal, moderate and sporty engine sound) for the same car, thereby enhancing car occupants’ emotional experience

Guiding signals from the electric motor such as pedal position, RPM, and speed indicate the engine status.

The speakers play the anti-noise sound wave to help reduce the unwanted noise in the cabin.Engine Sound Audio System

Legend

For decades, vehicles have been a part of our daily lives. We know what they are supposed to drive like, how they react, and what they should sound like. With the significant increase in sales of fully electric and hybrid vehicles, we are witnessing a change in the acoustic experience in and around a car. The silence of the electric drivetrain means that pedestrians miss familiar acoustic clues warning them about an approaching vehicle. With an electric vehicle, they can no longer rely on sound to determine how fast a vehicle is approaching and how close it is.

In order to improve pedestrian safety around electric and hybrid vehicles, HARMAN’s External Electronic Sound Synthesis (eESS) technology creates a specific electronic sound, projected from speakers at the front and rear of the vehicles, giving

an early warning to pedestrians that the car is approaching. The volume and characteristics of the External Electronic Sound Synthesis are actively controlled to inform pedestrians of the vehicle’s speed and location, enhancing safety.

The Problem: The Solution:

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External Electronic Sound Synthesis (eESS)

A specified electronic sound is created and projected from speakers at the front and rear of the vehicle, giving an early warning to pedestrians that the car is approaching.

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How It Works:

• eESS is optimized to operate in urban environments with the greatest risk of a collision with pedestrians, especially high-risk groups such as the elderly, children, cyclists and particularly the blind and their guide dogs

• eESS helps automakers comply with governmental safety regulations

• eESS is capable of creating custom-designed engine sounds, thereby helping to retain OEM-specific car DNA

The Benefits

ROAD NOISE RNC SIGNAL NOISE REDUCTIONESS SIGNALVEHICLE EXTERNAL SOUND

Guiding signals from the electric motor such as pedal position, RPM, and speed indicate the engine status.

The speakers play the anti-noise sound wave to help reduce the unwanted noise in the cabin.Engine Sound Audio System

Legend

Keywords: ESS, eESS, iESS, sound synthesis, audio, automotive, Harman Innovation, HALOsonic, audio quality, sustainability, safety, technolohy, connected car, electronic sound synthesis, car safety, EV, electric cars, hybrid vehicles

Get more automotive Audio insights at Harman Innovation Hub.

© 2015 HARMAN International Industries Incorporated. All rights reserved.

HARMAN (NYSE:HAR) (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets premier audio, visual, infotainment and integrated control solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. With 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, the Company is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems.

For more information on HALOsonic and other leading audio technologies, visit harmaninnovation.com

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