As Cars Get Quieter…..

I was born in the far long gone year when Science Fiction was BIG. The cartoon series that predicted that mankind would be the ones flying around in flying saucers, The Jetsons, was born in 1962.

A simple flip of the Flintstones’ basic gag from stone age to future, one truly memorable thing was the sound that the Jetsons’ family runabout made as it flew. Now today, I published a story about how car interiors are being made less noisy by sound reduction through noise cancellation technology or anti-noise. Rolls Royce, Mercedes and Bentley know about this but use sumptuous furnishings, lots of sound treatment and even double glazing.

We know about this from sound deadening for audio systems but this is a game changer. Along with increasing electrification, cars are getting quieter. I myself have once or twice done a double take as a Prius has snuck up on me in a car park.

So there is a big thing about cars making sounds on the outside, sufficient to ensure pedestrian safety. Here, is a learned page about the various studies about how the electric car can be made to emulate a car crunching upon gravel or making different noises as it turns left and right. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Electric_vehicle_warning_sounds

But you know what? Somebody did a survey and asked motorists what they would like to sound like to keep the foot traffic safe.

And the Jetsons’ flying saucer won hands-down. THIS is a glorious documentary I found, with rare footage of the bosses…