This EU funded project intends to increase the pedestrian safety in view of risks arising from quiet vehicles on one side and keep the noise levels of those vehicles at the lowest possible level on the other side. Basically the idea is to actively detect pedestrian and evaluate the potential risk for collision. A sound shall be emitted in the direction of the pedestrian only.

The emitted sound must clearly be different from background noise so to better be detectable.

The detection of pedestrians is effected with the use of a specific camera that constantly screens the area in front of the vehicle. The sound to be emitted is produced using up to 6 speakers or inertia mass shakers that bring the front bumper of the vehicle in motion. The intended interference of various noise sources of the bumper results in a sound that ‘sends’ the majority of its energy into the direction of the detected pedestrian only. In order to allow the system to evaluate the risk for collision, data from typical traffic accidents with pedestrian have been analysed. Also typical background noises from urban traffic were elaborated.

Sounds have been identified and developed, using sophisticated understand of the psychoacoustic mechanism in the ear, that have the same recognisability as a Diesel engine but at a level of 6 dB below. For the brain it is much easier to detect a single frequency rather than a broadband signal. However in order to cover situations where a person is not detected by the camera, permanent low level omnidirectional signal needs to be emitted in addition.

That signal will be adapted to the background noise and to the actual location of the vehicle.

The characteristic of the location, determined from a GPS signal will also influence the signal. Within this year a practical demonstration of a vehicle will be available.

Inside of the vehicle, a directed signal will be emitted that informs the driver about the presence and the location of a pedestrian with collision risk. So far the system is developed to have frontal and lateral detection of pedestrians.

US: cost taken into account in the economic analysis is for speakers and added cost for energy.

COM: Beside these direct costs, also indirect costs must be looked at, such as cost for society, long terms effects, and health costs. The broader view on the financial impacts is the motivation for COM to launch the project.

eVADER: The costs for the system today are high as it deals with innovation. But it is expected to substantially lower by the factor of 10 within the 5 years.

OICA: Typical vehicle sound should be composed of single frequencies, not from broadband.

AI requests to define a frequency range and an overall level. Inside of this range, the OEM is free to liberately determine frequency bands incl. pitch shifting and modulation.