Electric cars and Star Wars

• May. 21 by Laura Hogan (0)

The European Commission are to introduce ‘warning sounds’ in electric cars, in a bid to reduce the number of pedestrians being harmed.

 Experts are concerned that because the cars are so silent; pedestrians, especially those who are blind or partially-sighted, may unwittingly step out in front of the cars.

 It is with this in mind that researchers are looking into placing speakers into electric cars, which face the direction the car is travelling and alert pedestrians to the car’s presence.

 Noises

It’s thought the noises might be similar to those heard in Star Wars and other futuristic films.  Other options are said to be a loud car engine sound, so as not to confuse pedestrians.

 Whilst many see the idea as a good one; there are growing concerns that instead of reducing noise pollution whilst car makers have the chance; they will instead be adding to the noise pollution with unusual and unexpected sounds.

 Warwick University

Warwick University is currently trialling a number of sounds in conjunction with electric vehicle makers. Professor Paul Jennings, from the trial team at the University told Birmingham Recycled;

 ‘Electric cars are inherently quiet at low speeds.  This has great potential benefit in reducing levels of disturbance from traffic noise.  However sound also acts as a warning to other road users.  It signifies the presence of a vehicle, its speed, direction and acceleration’.

  ‘ The aim for our research is to learn how to design appropriate sounds that give sufficient warning, whilst having minimal detrimental impact on the environment.  We intend to take on this new challenge by adapting the tools and techniques for optimising interior vehicle sounds that have been developed with our partners’.