Automotive Audio is any equipment used in a car to provide in-car entertainment or information. Until the 1950s, vehicle audio consisted of a simple AM radio. Now, there are a variety of choices for automotive audio including immersive, zoned, and multi-zone systems.
Multi-Zone audio
If your vehicle is equipped with a DVD player, you’re probably not short on choices. You can get a high end receiver to play your audio files, or you can go old school and plug in a set of speakers. Both options are a breeze with an experienced system builder, and if you can’t get one, a new set of ears might be the next best thing.
It’s no secret that the modern car is filled with all sorts of sounds, ranging from the hum of the engine to the chirp of the air conditioner. What’s worse is that some of those sounds are ensconced in an audio system designed to keep the driver happy, but the rear seat passenger’s taste buds aren’t so lucky. Thankfully, there are a few tricks up Hyundai’s sleeve.
The multi-zone function is not limited to two zones; you can even get the full home theater experience with three rooms. Interestingly, Hyundai has not yet spec’d how many of the above mentioned zones, but has opted to let you choose from a selection of speakers.
Immersive audio
One of the hottest topics in automotive acoustics today is immersive 3D audio. Dolby Atmos, a technology developed by the Dolby Corporation, allows for sound placement in three-dimensional space. It has changed the way artists create music.
Car manufacturers have also begun implementing advanced multichannel loudspeaker setups in recent years. Dirac is one company that has been able to overcome these acoustic challenges in cars. Their Dirac Virtuo automotive solution leverages the industry’s most sophisticated audio algorithm.
Dirac and Dolby have announced that they will work together on an immersive automotive audio experience. They will use their automotive audio solution to showcase Dolby Atmos in cars.
The two companies will demonstrate the immersive audio experience in both companies’ demo vehicles. This will include a production-grade 3D sound system in the Audi e-tron. Designed to replace the multi-speaker setup, the system features head tracking capabilities and production-grade sound.
The collaboration will also introduce the latest version of the Dirac Virtuo automotive audio solution. Its latest enhancements include improved upmixer technology, enhanced multichannel content support, and an improved intelligent audio platform.
Zoned audio
For decades automakers have been aiming to deliver personalized audio experiences. This isn’t just limited to music. It includes video content, navigation systems and warning sounds.
A new trend in the car audio industry is multi-zone audio. OEMs can now configure audio into separate zones, allowing different sources to play at the same time. Each zone has its own volume group, focus management, and routing configuration for contexts.
Multi-zone technology also helps OEMs differentiate among competing audio systems. It’s common for minivans to have a basic dual zone system. With this system, one or two zones have hard-wired sources. The secondary zone can be accessed through a simple switch, enabling passengers to enjoy radio or music from auxiliary jacks.
Some vehicles use a more advanced system that allows drivers and passengers to interact with each other while enjoying their audio. Hyundai’s Intelligent Audio System maintains a headphone-free social space, enabling passengers to make and receive hands-free calls.
Another example is Ford’s SeatCentric Call Placement. Using a system comprised of eight small speakers mounted on the front headrests, the company can produce a more robust audio experience than a standard system.
Autonomous cars
Autonomous cars will need exceptional audio. They will need to be able to recognize the sound of an approaching vehicle, as well as be able to warn drivers of anomalous sound events. These sounds could be emergency sirens, or playing children in a traffic calming zone.
Autonomous cars are also going to need advanced audio and video integration. These will allow the driver and passengers to enjoy entertainment, hold conference calls, or even watch video meetings while on the road.
Autonomous vehicles will include many “sound zones.” This is an audio system concept that uses signal processing to digitally separate sound fields. It can help send active safety messages to pedestrians, while restraining acoustic output from outside the car.
Sound zones are not only useful for sending active messages, they are also important for enhancing the audio separation between passengers. They can also be used to send alerts to other drivers, like the presence of a person with a concealed object in a blind spot.