I was pleased NOT to have to deal with the sound generation on our two electric cars (i-Miev & TM3) until the new update came out that lets you change the sound your Tesla makes to anything, even play the radio outside the car.
Haven't needed a sound all these years and then some guy was hosing down a pile of gravel they moved into the street and he was standing in the center of the road. I got directly behind him w/o his noticing and when he caught me out of the corner of his eye he jumped a mile. I saw him the whole time, but I think the noisemakers are for times when you didn't see someone crossing your path.
driver/pedestrian inattentiveness happens often especially nowadays with phones and driver assist tech allowing drivers confidence to double task much more between driving and texting etc
https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/606f3efcec20460015ba7729 talk about where to place the horn considering the weird aerodynamics of aptera, the legally mandatory low speed driving sound can also be tunneled through the horn system tubes and other sound outlets as described here
I'd rather have a pedestrian horn like my Gen 1 Volt than continuous noise. I suppose it I don't hear it from inside the vehicle I don't much care. Just think there's enough noise around already.
many laws mandate some amount of sound anyway in the name of pedestrian safety, many companies have quiet motors by default but add speakers to make sound at low speed driving where law mandates the certain amount of sound. so my concept of sliding away sound isolating material is nice to allow more minimal extra cost to have sound vs a speaker system that also constantly cost energy while running in low speed driving, and every bit of energy is much more meaningful in driving range in electric cars especially more energy efficient cars like aptera
prototype electric engines seem to have a whining sound sound much louder than in production electric cars... i doubt its artificial sound via speakers b/c they all have the same sound
for ex. i saw a koenigsegg gemera prototype video and it was making lot of noise just normal driving in electric only mode around a parking lot
was hoping the foam layer used in cars to suppress sound can be slide open/close on rails to let out natural sound or isolate cabin, not only sound from engine but also from the wheels and brakes if desired t o make a more interactive driving experience b/c fun and b/c it helps people stay awake when tired, to stay aware of road for safety. of course for pedestrian warning too when slow driving. engine sound can be more relevant with alternative drivetrains/regenerative suspension in future: https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/604ed95b33a38a00151f78f9
@my_discord_number_is_0328 I could not disagree more with you on this: One of the greatest joys of driving electrically is the LACK of noise and vibration. It is a well-established physiological fact that constant stimulation is boring: The continuous onslaught of motor and road noise and engine vibration has a greatly soporific effect, lulling drivers into partial, if not full, sleep.
If you want to add noise to your driving experience, turn on the audio system.
@Kerbe #12705 apparently the soporific effect is not understood well enough, given it helps some become more relaxed but others more awake vs total quiet... of course more different sounds is ideal rather than monotonous sounds that become easy to not recognize after some time of constant sound. such could come naturally from road bumpiness given there probably wont be much wind noise and quietness is more appealing universally for emotional calmness.
the point of giving option for natural engine sound is not only for "engine sound for the fun of it" like in combustion sports cars, but it also doubles as a energy meter to help keep RPM constant as possible for driving efficiency. such meter is also something u dont need to look at spedometer for, u can hear the RPM counter. besides, the manual sliding away of isolation material wont cost energy, its a simple manual system. the anti noise foams ive seen are also flexible, so they can move around compact places too
@my_discord_number_is_0328 Because most EVs are direct-drive, RPM equates to speed - so any audible cue would pretty much give you no useable information. The efficiency metric for an EV is about the amount of electricity required to move the vehicle a given distance: The vehicle's software will continuously monitor and adjust the system to make it as efficient as possible.
Just hire a local 'rapper' for your custom EV sound! Frankly "Kerbe" was correct about this whole 'lack of noise' issue. You can spot people all the time in parking lots walking in front of ICE cars - they are pretty darn quiet from the factories now. Easy to hear immediately next to you, or when you are behind.
the road worthy version of the "baseball card" part of it would wear off and need replacement. unlike amplifying motor sound with togglable non electronic acoustics i explained in this thread. if motor noise isnt enough noise, this can still be a better option than speakers... as long as owner can easily replace the worn out material "card" part for cheap, but such cost is to be compared with the normal outdoor speaker system normal newer electric cars use b/c mechanically they are built for people who want quiet motor by default, even though that cost some energy b/c efficiency isnt a so costly or as helpful to driving range as more efficient electric car like aptera.
also sound doesnt correlate with RPM, benefit of which i explained in this thread
@john3c Everyone knows what an ICE sounds like - even though a diesel sounds different than a petrol engine - but having a wide variety of "sound effects" coming from EVs will just add to the general background din for most people: They'll need to know what to listen FOR in order to recognize an EV when they don't hear it.
@Kerbe #12705 Reality is that it's best to have an ICE sound (still changing with speed) and that children of the future will ask why cars sound like that...
Me, as long as it's a repeating sound file I'll find a way to get into the system and hack in the Jetson's sound. Then only a small group will have fun with it but we don't have everybody making nutty sounds at once. Or like I said, you limit the length of the sound so people can't go too crazy with it. I think someday there will be a regulation but that is years off; may as well have fun now while we can... at least then Apera can blame the gov for removing customization.
The samples out there would really be a problem especially with lots of cars doing custom sounds; so I think limiting the sound length by playing them in a loop which changes speed so the sounds end up no longer than maybe 2 seconds long when stopping but faster when moving at speed. It would stop people from using actual words, songs, ringtones.
@john3c You've hit the nail on the head: The problem is that people don't know what to listen for! The legislation states that vehicles running electrically must generate a warning sound up to 18.5 mph/30 kph. Unless the sound made is loud enough to be heard and distinctive enough to stand out in traffic people won't know what they're hearing. If every EV is making its own individual warning sound the parking lots of the world are going to be very noisy and confusing!
@Kerbe I understand your excellent point of wanting a “common” sound coming from the cars. I can forego being George Jetton for the sake of urban tranquility.However, rather than using a simulated ICE noise, how about picking up, amplifying, and “broadcasting“ the actual noise from the actual tires on the pavement?Crude justification: Since EV’s and hybrids have been around, I have been listening for vehicle tire noise when riding or walking. Turns out that this approach is extremely effective when on gravel or rough concrete... as I know what sound to listen for.
@Tom Kruer Someone in the UK did a "drive by" video a few years back to demonstrate that EV tire noise makes them every bit as loud as an ICE - when the ICE has a quiet engine. The majority of ICE noise comes out of the REAR of the vehicle so isn't really heard when it's approaching the listener.
I'd hate to think that all EVs would have to generate the same sound - but, perhaps, there could be a "class" of sound types that would be used, or maybe a pattern of rising and falling pitch or volume: Something to make the listener take notice and say, "Oh, that's an EV sound effect!"
First 3 seconds of Van Halen’s Hot for Teacher on a loop. Sounds like a drag rail idling. Realistically, second the Jetsons sound.
I personally favor the on-demand horn chirp used in the GM EV1 and Chevy Volt. I find the noisemaker boxes don‘t get anyone’s attention on my cars. Cranking the radio has more effect.
Sound Playback: repeating the sound faster/slower depending upon the speed of the car. Jetson's car did this if I remember correctly. It also gives an indication of speed; regardless of the customized sound.
I just want my voice warning pedestrians the same way I warn others I am walking with: "Car!", maybe "car car Car Car CAR CAR CAR! CAR! CAR!!!" If there are proximity sensors on the car to know when getting closer to pedestrians
I was pleased NOT to have to deal with the sound generation on our two electric cars (i-Miev & TM3) until the new update came out that lets you change the sound your Tesla makes to anything, even play the radio outside the car.
Haven't needed a sound all these years and then some guy was hosing down a pile of gravel they moved into the street and he was standing in the center of the road. I got directly behind him w/o his noticing and when he caught me out of the corner of his eye he jumped a mile. I saw him the whole time, but I think the noisemakers are for times when you didn't see someone crossing your path.
https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/606f3efcec20460015ba7729 talk about where to place the horn considering the weird aerodynamics of aptera, the legally mandatory low speed driving sound can also be tunneled through the horn system tubes and other sound outlets as described here
I'd rather have a pedestrian horn like my Gen 1 Volt than continuous noise. I suppose it I don't hear it from inside the vehicle I don't much care. Just think there's enough noise around already.
prototype electric engines seem to have a whining sound sound much louder than in production electric cars... i doubt its artificial sound via speakers b/c they all have the same sound
for ex. i saw a koenigsegg gemera prototype video and it was making lot of noise just normal driving in electric only mode around a parking lot
was hoping the foam layer used in cars to suppress sound can be slide open/close on rails to let out natural sound or isolate cabin, not only sound from engine but also from the wheels and brakes if desired t o make a more interactive driving experience b/c fun and b/c it helps people stay awake when tired, to stay aware of road for safety. of course for pedestrian warning too when slow driving. engine sound can be more relevant with alternative drivetrains/regenerative suspension in future: https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/604ed95b33a38a00151f78f9
The way I see it. The Jetson would be the coolest. But to clear the way nothing would beat the sound a 1994 12 valve Cummins Diesel makes at idle.
Just hire a local 'rapper' for your custom EV sound! Frankly "Kerbe" was correct about this whole 'lack of noise' issue. You can spot people all the time in parking lots walking in front of ICE cars - they are pretty darn quiet from the factories now. Easy to hear immediately next to you, or when you are behind.
I always thought I wanted my electric car sound to be the sound of a jet engine as it's coming in to land. That ought to get their attention.
How about sounding like baseball cards rubbing against the bicycle wheel spokes?
Electric cars sometimes "sneak up" on me when riding my bike. My friends who jog complain about the same thing.
I always liked the idea of using the Jetson's car sound for a warning....but only at show speeds.
The samples out there would really be a problem especially with lots of cars doing custom sounds; so I think limiting the sound length by playing them in a loop which changes speed so the sounds end up no longer than maybe 2 seconds long when stopping but faster when moving at speed. It would stop people from using actual words, songs, ringtones.
Omg the Caddyshack one was so great
Someone from the UK created this sampler...
First 3 seconds of Van Halen’s Hot for Teacher on a loop. Sounds like a drag rail idling. Realistically, second the Jetsons sound.
I personally favor the on-demand horn chirp used in the GM EV1 and Chevy Volt. I find the noisemaker boxes don‘t get anyone’s attention on my cars. Cranking the radio has more effect.
Sound Playback: repeating the sound faster/slower depending upon the speed of the car. Jetson's car did this if I remember correctly. It also gives an indication of speed; regardless of the customized sound.
A human voice making ICE like sounds. Maybe a child or teen making the sounds. back up an some kid says "beep" over and over.
Customize it but encourage them to be posted in the forum for others. Popular ones could become included with the car.
I just want my voice warning pedestrians the same way I warn others I am walking with: "Car!", maybe "car car Car Car CAR CAR CAR! CAR! CAR!!!" If there are proximity sensors on the car to know when getting closer to pedestrians
I want Sebulba’s Podracer clanks
Being Christmas season it should be sleigh bells! 😀
Actually I'm hoping for user selectable, maybe use your own MP3 recordings.