gizmag
Those looking forward to quieter city streets as a result of near-silent electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids replacing internal combustion engine vehicles on our roads may have to think again. To ensure that cyclists and pedestrians, including the visually impaired, are aware of stealthy oncoming vehicles, researchers have been looking at different noises that can be applied to EVs. Toyota has also already announced plans to sell an onboard audio alert system for its Prius but it looks like such systems are set to become more widespread with the Infiniti M35h to be the world’s first hybrid to get an audible pedestrian warning system as standard.
I think the sound of the tires on the road makes enough noise… except at very low speeds.
# 15 mharry860 said, on November 19th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Wouldn’t someone see that ugly ass car long before they heard it?
Blind/Visually Disabled people certainly couldn’t SEE these vehicles, no matter how ugly they may be.
Very happy to see hybrids make their way to the mainstream.
If you having trouble adjusting to the inevitable future of battery operated cars, you can always strap a playing card to the wheel with a rubberband.
I’d like to nominate that warpbling sound that the “car” the Jetsons used to drive be used as the standard low speed sound for electric cars.
Here is a sample
http://tinyurl.com/yfo8ew9
# 21 Nugget Coombs “Blind/Visually Disabled people certainly couldn’t SEE these vehicles”
So, the problem is silent cars are not sensed by blind people who might step in front of them?
Ok. Do not add noise = fewer blind people = problem solved.
How about the extremely loud sound of amped up bass speakers blasting rap music? That’s all I need in my neighborhood.