Car Grill Cover as Speaker... Hyundai Mobis Develops New Virtual Engine Sound System

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Hyundai Mobis announced on the 6th that it has developed the world's first virtual engine sound system using an electric vehicle grille cover.

The virtual engine sound system (AVAS) is a speaker device that emits sound outside the vehicle so that pedestrians can recognize the approach of eco-friendly vehicles, which produce almost no noise. It is distinguished from Active Sound Design (ASD), which generates virtual engine sounds inside the vehicle for driving enjoyment. Governments around the world mandate the installation of virtual engine sound systems to prevent potential accidents between pedestrians and eco-friendly vehicles that are too quiet.

The virtual engine sound system developed by Hyundai Mobis this time attaches a semi-finished product form to the back of the grille cover located at the front of the vehicle, instead of the existing product in the form of a completed speaker installed inside the vehicle. This idea was inspired by the fact that electric vehicles have a completely sealed front unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, which have holes in the front grille for air intake. It is characterized by the innovative idea of utilizing the cover itself as a component of the speaker.

In addition, the newly developed system significantly improves efficiency and performance compared to existing products, and adds functions such as turn signal sounds and charging status notification sounds, as well as virtual engine sounds. This is to allow pedestrians to prepare in advance by conveying the vehicle’s direction and operation status through sound in the future era of autonomous driving. It can also be used as a speaker to play music during outdoor activities such as camping.

This achievement came about one year after development began at the end of 2018, and two related patents have been filed. In this process, Hyundai Mobis succeeded in reducing the weight to about one-third of the existing product and the size to about half. The number of components was also reduced to less than half, simplifying the structure and lowering the cost. Additionally, brackets and housings that fix the device among other components were eliminated to facilitate space securing.

Kim Tae-woo, Head of IVI Product Design Division 2 at Hyundai Mobis, said, “As vehicles evolve into future cars, consumers increasingly expect emotional quality such as convenience and safety performance. We expect many companies to be interested as we have advanced the system to enable smooth communication with the outside and enjoyment of various content both inside and outside the vehicle in line with the future car era.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.