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our concept

HALOsonic image showing concept detailImagine the car of the future. What if we utilise the audio system to improve safety, enhance the driving experience and contribute towards a greener world?

Ready for market right now, HALOsonic noise management solutions make this a reality. Read more…

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Our Concept

Imagine the car of the future.
What if we utilise the audio system to improve safety, enhance the driving experience and contribute towards a greener world?

Ready for market right now, HALOsonic noise management solutions make this a reality by bringing together HARMAN's world class expertise in vehicle acoustics and Lotus Engineering's proven active noise control technologies.

With both internal and external sound synthesis and engine or road noise cancellation there is a sophisticated and effective solution to every noise management problem. The technology is now available for commercial application for vehicle manufacturers globally – either as an integral part of the infotainment system, or as a standalone unit integrated into the sound system.

What is HALOsonic Sound Synthesis?   Read more…

What is HALOsonic Engine Order and Road Noise Cancellation?   Read more…

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Our Concept

What is HALOsonic Sound Synthesis?

Ready for market right now, HALOsonic noise management solutions make this a reality by bringing together HARMAN's world class expertise in vehicle acoustics and Lotus Engineering's proven active noise control technologies.

The two parts to HALOsonic’s Electronic Sound Synthesis:

1 – External Sound Synthesis (ESS)

  • A specified electronic sound is applied to an external speaker system to improve pedestrian safety
  • The synthesised sound, dependent on speed and direction, is projected from speakers at the front and rear of the vehicle, giving an early identifiable warning to pedestrians that the car is approaching (the sound is projected only in the direction of travel, fading away almost instantly once the vehicle has passed)
  • A synthetic engine ‘idle’ sound is also produced when the vehicle is switched on and the handbrake is released – i.e. when the vehicle is in a state ready to move.

2 – Internal Sound Synthesis (ISS)

ISS allows sound contouring inside the cabin, enhancing the driving experience by creating speed and throttle-dependent sounds audible through the in-car entertainment system:

  • The system delivers audible feedback to drivers even when the engine is almost silent
  • The creation of internal sounds is independent of exterior noise levels and hence legislation requirements

What is HALOsonic Engine Order and Road Noise Cancellation?   Read more…

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What is HALOsonic Engine Order and Road Noise Cancellation?

1 – Engine Order Cancellation (EOC)

The noise produced by combustion engine activity and exhaust is substantial. Traditional methods for reducing the transfer of this noise to the cabin have involved using large amounts of NVH material. All of this sound deadening material is heavy, adding weight to the vehicle which transfers to higher CO2 emissions and poorer performance.

  • HALOsonic EOC technology use a series of Error Microphones in the cabin which identify the frequencies of noise created.
  • These are relayed to the processor which generates a cancelling frequency played back through the audio system, reducing the noise heard by the occupants.

2 – Road Noise Cancellation (RNC)

Multi link suspensions create multiple noise paths into the vehicle. Bushes are harder for improved handling capability reducing isolation levels. Combined with the universal trend for wider, low profile tyres, road noise emanates through the structure of the vehicle, creating a ‘droning’ noise. This noise can induce driver fatigue and is annoying, with zero purpose or benefit.

  • As with HALOsonic EOC technology, the series of Error Microphones in the cabin identify the frequencies of noise created.
  • Again, these are relayed to the processor which generates a cancelling frequency played back through the audio system, reducing the noise heard by the occupants.

What is HALOsonic Sound Synthesis?   Read more…

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Safety

The increasing number of Hybrids and BEVs on our roads may present a safety concern at low speed as they may not be heard.
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Safety

HALO sonic’s External Sound Synthesis (ESS ) for hybrid and electric vehicles (HEV s) is a potentially life-saving technology.

Hybrids and BEVs present a safety concern at low speed as they often cannot be heard and recognised, particularly by high risk groups such as the elderly, children, cyclists and particularly the blind and their guide dogs. Several countries such as USA, Japan and parts of Europe are currently reviewing legislation to state that HEV s must emit a recognisable sound above a minimum noise level to help improve pedestrian safety. Special interest organisations, particularly those for the visually impaired, are supporting proposed legislation.

A study by The University of California identified that subjects could correctly judge the approach of a normal combustion engine from a distance of around 28 feet (10m approx), but a HEV ’s approach direction was only detectable from a distance of around seven feet (2.5m approx). This means that a pedestrian would not be able to correctly determine the HEV ’s approach until it was one second away.

With the rapid growth in numbers of these vehicles likely in our cities and suburbs, there is a growing demand for a solution to this problem. HALO sonic’s ESS provides specified electronic sound models applied to an external speaker system to improve pedestrian safety. A synthesised sound, dependent on speed and throttle position, is projected from speakers at the front of the vehicle, making it instantly recognisable that the vehicle is in motion.

The external sound produced is thrown forward, so it is concentrated on the danger zone for pedestrians, with little of the ‘wasted’ sound above and to the rear of the vehicle – the usual experience in a conventional vehicle.


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Involvement

Driving experience is enhanced when the driver receives sonic feedback on speed and rate of acceleration. Read more…

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Involvement

The driving experience in any car is greatly enhanced when the engine sound provides the driver with the sonic feedback relaying rate of acceleration and speed. This sense of involvement is lost in hybrids and BEVs as under battery power there is no recognisable ‘engine’ sound.

Perceptual Dynamics

Internal Sound Synthesis (ISS ) can create a link to the sensory connection that traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars provide, enhancing the driving experience and awareness by creating speed and throttle dependent sounds audible through the in-car entertainment system. The ISS system delivers audible feedback to drivers even when the engine is ‘silent’.

ISS provides ‘sound scaping’ in the cabin, allowing the driver to select their favourite internal combustion engine sound. When driving a hybrid or electric vehicle (HEV) the driver can enjoy listening to the tones of their favourite V12. This sound can be independent from the exterior noise levels, hence avoiding maximum drive by legislation requirements.

This ‘Brand DNA’ can be used in the conventional manner; as engine sound can be a significant feature of a vehicle however, some manufacturers are looking to brand their HEV with a unique ‘electric’ sound.

IESS is useful in all vehicles, not just Hybrids and BEVs and enables any characteristic sound to be tailored and generated.


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Environment

The energy conscious car of tomorrow will be lighter with new powertrain technologies, some of which may degrade cabin sound quality.
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Environment

The energy conscious car of tomorrow will be lighter and will increasingly feature new powertrain technologies, such as hybrids, cylinder de-activation, stop/start, 4 cylinder engines without balancer shafts etc, many of which degrade cabin sound quality. This can be partially treated with traditional NVH techniques but these will always add weight, eroding the gains in fuel economy and emissions. HALOsonic noise cancellation solves this problem by acoustically cancelling the unwanted sound with opposing frequencies, creating a quiet zone for each occupant without adding weight.

Along with the previously described benefits to pedestrians, the external sound projected from the vehicle is focused only in the direction of travel and once the car has passed the sound fades away almost instantly, rather than hanging in the air like the conventional exhaust sound of an internal combustion engine and therefore creating minimal amounts of unwanted noise.

Delivered in this directional manner, ESS reduces any reverberation or echo from surrounding buildings, ensuring that members of the public in these roadside buildings, above the first floor will not hear the vehicle as it passes.

ESS generates necessary sound that is useful and eliminates unwanted noise pollution.

The cabin sound quality can be further enhanced by combining this with IESS, providing luxury refinement for the Green car of tomorrow.



Our Technology

There are two groups of technologies.
1One to cancel unwanted noise inside the car caused by engine vibrations or the road surface
2Another to generate the desired sound of an engine, either inside or outside the car. Read more…

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Our Technology

There are two groups of technologies;


One to cancel unwanted noise inside the car caused by engine vibrations or the road surface

Another to generate the desired sound of an engine, either inside or outside the car.

Both noise cancellation technologies and interior engine sound can be integrated into the existing audio system within the car, with the addition of between 4 and 8 microphones for EOC and between 4 and 8 accelerometers for RNC, strategically positioned close to the suspension.

Exterior engine sound requires an additional speaker assembly at the front with an optional one at the rear for improved reversing warning. The diagrams show the system content for each of these. They can be single solutions or can be combined in any way and either embedded within a HARMAN audio system or as stand-alone hardware integrated within the existing vehicle entertainment system.

Noise cancellation technology
Sound suppression technology

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Our Partners

HARMAN and Lotus Engineering have worked together to jointly develop noise management solutions, using Lotus-patented Active Noise Control Technologies. This patented new technology is presented to the market under the HALOsonic technology banner. Read more…




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Our Partners

HARMAN and Lotus Engineering have worked together to jointly develop noise management solutions, using Lotus-patented Active Noise Control Technologies.

With its world-renowned audio design and production credentials, HARMAN is the production integrator and supplier, working with Original Equipment Manufacturers on vehicle-specific systems.

Lotus Engineering has over 20 years’ experience in Active Noise Technologies and will assist HARMAN in developing the system for production.

HARMAN and Lotus Engineering have jointly developed noise management solutions using Lotus-patented Active Noise Control technologies. This patented new technology is presented to the market under the HALOsonic technology banner. The technology is now available for commercial application for vehicle manufacturers globally – either as an integral part of the infotainment system, or as a standalone unit integrated into the sound system. With its world-renowned audio design and production credentials, HARMAN is the production integrator and supplier, working with Original Equipment Manufacturers on vehicle-specific systems.

HARMAN   Read more…

LOTUS   Read more…

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Our Partners

HARMAN

HARMAN designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 12,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $3.8 billion for the 12 months ended June 30, 2011. The company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE: HAR.


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LOTUS

Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognised automotive engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK. Global facilities include those in Michigan (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), China and offices in German and Japan, with rapid expansion in new territories such as South East Asia.

Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world’s Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and tier one suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and project design through development and integration of the complete vehicle to meet all worldwide market and customers to full production. This includes third-party ‘niche vehicle’ engineering and manufacture worldwide.

Lotus Cars builds world class, prestige, high performance sports cars for sale in 37 countries. These include the iconic Lotus Elise, the Exige, the 2-Eleven and Lotus’ latest model, the Lotus Evora. Lotus is a global high-tech company, expanding rapidly and committed to driving forward technology for both Lotus Cars and its Engineering clients, spearheading research into such areas as hybrids, electric vehicles and renewable fuels.


HARMAN   Read more…

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Lotus Engineering log
Image of Lotus EliseLotus Evora Concept Car

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Latest Technologies

Reincarnation of the 1967 Toyota GT2000 as a solar-electric vehicle featuring HALOsonic™ Sound Synthesis.

A conceptual application of the HALOsonic ESS technology has been implemented in Toyota’s Concept GT2000 Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV) project, also known as "Crazy Car Project."

Toyota GT2000

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Toyota Concept
Concept

The idea was to transform the original 1967 GT2000 iconic sports car into a solar-powered electric vehicle equipped with various innovative technologies. Harman proudly supported the project with its HALOsonic Electronic Sound Synthesis (ESS) and Green Edge audio system.


Toyota Concept
HALOsonic

In this application, HALOsonic departed from the traditional internal combustion engine sound creation and explored the other possibilities of sound generation while JBL Green Edge demonstrated the new generation of energy efficiency in speaker, amplifier and infotainment design.


Toyota Concept
Success

The GT2000 SEV exhibit at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon was a great success and the vehicle has since created a lot of excitement – the exact effect Toyota Automobile Association intended. After the very positive response from car enthusiasts in Japan, Toyota will exhibit the vehicle at the U.K.’s Goodwood Festival of Speed – a weekend-long celebration of "motor sport and all things automotive" June 28 – July 1, 2012.



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HaloSonic_Toyota_GT2000.pdf
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