ARTICLE: Hybrid Cars May Include Fake Vroom for Safety, By JIM MOTAVALLI, New York Times, October 13, 2009
A truly interesting engineering issue: how to make silent hybrids just noisy enough to not constitute a hazard to pedestrians.
Let's hope they get artistic here, because we'll live the QWERTY effect if we're not careful. They'll want a universally recognized sound, but that doesn't mean it needs to be the same old, same old growl.
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Comments (6)
You pegged this right. There will be some interesting engineering solutions evolving to meet this new safety need. Reminds me of the deer whistles mounted on front bumpers to warn deer.
Posted by Elmer Humes | November 19, 2009 12:57 PM
Bring on the funk!
Posted by David Sutton
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November 19, 2009 7:01 PM
Adding a bell like sound (operated by the driver) probably would be the least obnoxious option. I'd hate to have after market modifications to hybrids upping the noise pollution. We already have enough problems with after market whistling mufflers.
Posted by Ryan E. Freckleton | November 19, 2009 8:05 PM
You have to be kidding . . People actually have either time or energy to worry about crap like this . . ?
People aren't smart enough already to "Look Both Ways" before stepping off the curb . . and the greatest share of new conventional Automobiles are no noiser than their Hybrid or Electric counterparts . .
I can't imagine anything dumber than having your Prius making electronic sounds like a Blown Bigblock Chevy . . Wanna noisy car? Do what I do and drive one . . (Chopped '34 Ford w/blown smallblock)
Actually, most automobiles with relatively agressive tires will make enough noise to prevent a car "sneaking up" on you . . or, just remember your first grade teacher's constant admonishment . . "PAY ATTENTION!"
Posted by large | November 20, 2009 8:58 AM
Now if they just required sound on those adult and teen bicycles that zip by us on sidewalk from behind without bell or word.
Posted by Louis Heberlein | November 20, 2009 2:45 PM
I think David has it; so long as teenagers insist on over-powered sound systems for their cars, some of them will be quite detectable (whether they become detestable remains open for further debate).
Posted by Michael | November 21, 2009 11:46 PM