TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Should EVs Make Artificial Sounds at Low Speeds?

Discussion in 'Electric Vehicles' started by Brent, Apr 10, 2008.

  1. TEG

    TEG Teslafanatic

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2006
    Messages:
    21,703
    #61 TEG, Aug 23, 2008
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2008
    Another idea:
    The car points a sound at any unrecognized bluetooth devices it detects.
     
  2. graham

    graham Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2007
    Messages:
    1,573
    Location:
    Aptos, California
    I still like the idea of just turning on the radio.
     
  3. SByer

    SByer '08 #383

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2007
    Messages:
    1,068
    Location:
    Cupertino, CA
    How about we use the numerous bluetooth security vulnerabilities to hack in a vibration response to proximity? (Or just reprogram the hundreds of thousands of recycled phones that have bluetooth capability and hand them out, if you're feeling squirmy about the hacking thing).

    Chris' point about bicycles is very well taken: At 20mph, tire noise from cars is more than sufficient. Bicycles travel at 15-20mph, and I don't hear any complaints about them being dangerous for the blind.

    I really get the sense that this is mostly about people who think they have an empathy for a handicapped group, but have no clue, because they really haven't done a mile in anybody's shoes. My brother is in a wheelchair, and while I'm always looking out for things that might get in his way, I've learned enough to know that you just don't know - ask.

    We need to get this back to science - what does the data actually show. But, of course, this is the California legislature. If it can't regulate gentle spanking or come up with a budget, it's got to do something. Idle hands, and all that.
     
  4. vfx

    vfx Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2006
    Messages:
    14,790
    Location:
    CA CA
    Great analogy. Our issue is even more ridiculous because we are subjecting 100 percent of the population to a noise maker for a tiny percent of blind.
     
  5. dpeilow

    dpeilow Moderator

    Joined:
    May 23, 2008
    Messages:
    9,151
    Location:
    Winchester, UK
    From The London Paper on my way home.

     
  6. graham

    graham Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2007
    Messages:
    1,573
    Location:
    Aptos, California
    Well, a bill has been approved by the California Senate which has been sent to the Governor on whether to form a committee to study if a recommendation for quiet vehicles needing to be noisier should be considered for 2010.

    This is a far cry from "A bill has been passed in California" requiring quiet cars be nosier.
     
  7. malcolm

    malcolm Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2006
    Messages:
    3,072
    #67 malcolm, Aug 27, 2008
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2008
  8. malcolm

    malcolm Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2006
    Messages:
    3,072
    Well wha-da-ya-know?

    Sound of sports car engine 'arouses women' - Telegraph

    "The roar of a luxury car engine does cause a primeval physiological response."

    Ah ha! So that's why everyone is suddenly expressing so much concern for the safety of the blind!

    It's not the members of the visually impaired community that they're thinking about.....
     
  9. vfx

    vfx Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2006
    Messages:
    14,790
    Location:
    CA CA

    I believe this is a learned response. Try it with small children or a jungle tribe member.

    Then compare the Tesla's sonics against them.
     
  10. vfx

    vfx Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2006
    Messages:
    14,790
    Location:
    CA CA
    #70 vfx, Sep 13, 2008
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2008
  11. Joseph

    Joseph Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2007
    Messages:
    343
    Location:
    South Florida
    vfx, that is a good comparison. If people went from loud horses to silent EVs 100 years ago, why can't we go from somewhat noisy cars to quiet EVs again?

    Well, IMO, the issue is on a much grander scale now. Cars 100 years ago weren't roaming the streets in the vast numbers they do today. Also, we live in a much more sensitive society (read: lawsuits) making it more difficult to just push issues aside. Unfortunately, I think the government might get involved in this, and complicate things.
     
  12. Takumi

    Takumi Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2006
    Messages:
    677
    Location:
    IL
    Why put it on the vehicles when it's probably cheaper to have it adapted to the streets? Just have it implemented into new streetlights. I also like the idea of implementing it into the cell phone.
     
  13. malcolm

    malcolm Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2006
    Messages:
    3,072
  14. vfx

    vfx Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2006
    Messages:
    14,790
    Location:
    CA CA

    Which brings us back to the above mentioned "red flag laws".
     
  15. malcolm

    malcolm Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2006
    Messages:
    3,072
    #76 malcolm, Oct 30, 2008
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2008
    GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site Blog Archive The Sound of the Chevy Volt

    Oh good grief. And I thought my UFO reference was daft enough....

    http://www.mediacollege.com/downloads/sound-effects/star-trek/tos/tos-transporter.wav

    http://www.mediacollege.com/downloads/sound-effects/star-trek/tos/tos-turboliftdoor.wav

    But at least their pedestrian warning sound seems to be under driver control:

    http://www.mediacollege.com/downloads/sound-effects/star-trek/tos/tos-photon-torpedo-1.wav

    :wink:
     
  16. doug

    doug Administrator / Head Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2006
    Messages:
    16,843
    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Well it looks like they haven't forgetton everything about the EV-1. I read once that the EV-1 made a gentle yet perfectly audible "bonk" sound when you flicked the high beams, and that this was great for letting pedestrians know that you're there in parking lot situations. Glad to see this is something of a carry-over to the Volt. I'm all for customizable sounds, just as long as the defaults are reasonable.

    Btw, phasers should be enough for pedestrians. Save the photon torpedoes for the SUVs.
     
  17. TEG

    TEG Teslafanatic

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2006
    Messages:
    21,703
    or,
    Spock's singing for pedestrians.
    Kirk's singing for SUVs...
    :smile:
     
  18. Joseph

    Joseph Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2007
    Messages:
    343
    Location:
    South Florida
    Please explain.
     
  19. TEG

    TEG Teslafanatic

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2006
    Messages:
    21,703
    Noise level testing I assume. Seems like an audio data logger hooked to microphones in a human head simulator.

    Either that or some robots took VP11 out for a joy ride!
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC