The solution to silent electric cars?

Two sound generators have been developed to enable pedestrians to hear hybrid and electric vehicles which would otherwise be nearly silent.

The generators – called sounders – have been developed by Delphi, a global supplier of electronics and technologies for automotive, commercial vehicle and other market segments.

The first electronic sounder system provides a frequency range of 500Hz to 10 KHz and can reproduce melodies that represent the identity of individual vehicle manufacturers.

For applications requiring higher quality sound, Delphi has developed a high-fidelity sounder system that uses a cone speaker. The magnet-based system weighs 66% less than a conventional speaker system.

Diedrich von Behr, managing director Electronic Control Europe, said: “Delphi’s sound generators are specifically designed to warn pedestrians of oncoming hybrid and electric vehicles moving at low speeds.

“Not only do these green systems enhance safety by helping to make pedestrians aware of approaching vehicles, they become more valuable when integrated with other vehicle systems.”

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