Posted on 08/12/2018 1:33:47 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Hyundai Motor has developed a sound system for vehicles in which passengers and the driver can hear different songs or make totally private phone calls.
It is the first such system in the world, the carmaker announced Sunday, and will be offered in Hyundai Motor cars within a year or two.
Korea’s largest carmaker calls the system a “separated sound zone” and unveiled it on its official website and on YouTube last Sunday.
In the YouTube video, classical music plays in the front of the car where two parents are sitting, while pop music plays in the back for children.
Separate sound zones are created by the artful placement of different speakers. There is also software that control the sound’s reflective wave and output level, the carmaker explained.
Playing different types of music is the most basic thing the sound zones can do, according to the carmaker.
A driver or passenger could have a private phone call as well. Calls on speaker are usually heard by all people in the car.
With the system, passengers can enjoy individual choices of music while retaining the ability to converse among themselves, which isn’t possible if they are enjoying private music with earphones.
Sounds that are necessary to the driver but that are disturbing to other passengers can be controlled too, such as audible directions from the navigation system or warning sounds from the driving assistance system.
Music or direction guides that a driver is listening to won’t be heard by a sleeping child in the back seat.
Hyundai Motor said it started developing the system in 2014 and is almost ready to install it in mass-produced cars.
“This sound system will become necessary as the autonomous driving era nears and demands for entertainment inside a car evolve,” said Ih Kang-duck, a researcher in charge of developing the system.
Now I might be more open to taking my mother-in-law on car trips.
Cones of silence!
My wife and I both drive Hyundai automobiles. Solid cars, great warranty, and very well appointed for the price.
L
They’ve come so far from the Hyundai Pony which was the typical taxicab when I was stationed in Korea. A small, primitive car.
Mrs. L has a loaded Elantra. Premium sound system, driver assist cruise control, heated leather seats, 8 way power seats, the works. It’s a sweet ride.
Sometimes she even lets me drive it.
L
Well ain’t that nice. Now you and your spouse can sit on the side of the road and hear music just the way like it while you are waiting for the Tow Truck to arrive.
Trying to picture the kids listening to their isolated K-pop in the back seat . . .
Just more knobs or icons to fiddle with while hurtling down the highway at 70mph.
We’ve come a long way from listening to music on the AM radio.
Hyundai Genesis models are up-and-comers too. Luxury, and available with 420 hp V8 for $55k.
Great idea when driving mother-in-law.
Bad idea for normal people, couples and family. There is already too little interaction and talk.
IIRC some cars had record players way back when.
Test drive one earlier this year. That’s a sweet ride. We’ve owned 5 Hyundai cars and really like them.
L
Bad idea for normal people, couples and family. There is already too little interaction and talk.
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Right on!! That’s the bottom line.
Korea Ping.
I Can Duck??
Can you mute backseat drivers?
Driver’s side hears Yanni.
Passenger side hears Laurel.
I can’t believe no one beat me to this comment, was this foolishness so forgettable?
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