Featured artificial sound in the prius speakers?

There is an external artificial engine noisemaker for pedestrian safety. I don't know exactly when they started to include it but it was quite early in the run.

I'm not aware of an internal one for driver enrichment, though I know Ford has been including them on a few performance-oriented models.

 

Hmm..
My Gen 3, had the pedestrian warning sound, but it would of been a real stretch to call it an artificial engine sound, as it sounded more like a space ship hum.
And the design seemed exclusively external. I never heard it in the closed cabin. The only time I could hear it, was with the windows rolled down and driving through a drive-thru.

 

https://www.cars.com/articles/2010/08/toyota-prius-may-get-optional-noisemaker-for-pedestrians/
First announcement for Prius, I think Volt already had it.

My best guess is that these 'safety advocates' never listened to a Prius.

 

We are 'blessed' with a reverse beep inside that SHOULD be outside. But our 'engine noise' is outside confusing pedestrians where it should be. Now, if it only sounded like a car they would not be confused.

You want a pedestrian warning sound? This is my vote:

Pedestrians should perk up. (they pass a green VW about 5 times)

 

As stated, the pedestrian alerting noise doesn't sound like an engine. If it did, most walking on their phones likely wouldn't notice it.

There are two basic strategies for the driver enrichment engine noises. One is to physically increase and direct the actual engine sounds into the cabin. The other is to play a track over a speaker. It could be the actual engine sounds being picked up by a microphone, or a prerecorded track, this is usually designed to augment the existing engine sounds reaching the cabin.

Ford used the first when they first did so for the Mustang. Lexus has used both strategies.
Faking It: Engine-Sound Enhancement Explained - Tech Dept. - Car and Driver
Lexus and the art of noise - Lexus

Nor did they listen to the half dozen or so ICE cars that are quieter than the Prius.

 

If I floor mine, there is a most definite artificial engine sound

 

It was nearly 10 years ago but even now I think nobody's presented it better than Shonky and the Soundracer V8.

Thanks for the rare opportunity to pass it on.

 

"Of course the big problem with something like this, is it makes you want to take your eh... 'nice respectical family car'..., and thrash the guts out of it; you just wanna hear those revs! "

 

Why do humans have the innate need to be noticed?

 

mates

 

Oh, you mean like whistling at an attractive woman, know that she has been waiting all her life for someone to do that?

 

www.amazon.com/SoundRacer-Realistic-SuperCar-Engine-Effects/dp/B0030IQK30

But I want it on the outside.

Mind you, since the Prius has no 12 volt alternator fixed to engine revs, if it makes any noise, it would a constant tone.

 

There's another version that has a canned J79 turbojet sample. Might be more appropriate for the likely constant sound.

 

Hummmm, there maybe a business opportunity. A special, driver seat cover that incorporates a vibrating ‘massage’ stick whose frequency is speed related and acceleration controls the amplitude.

Perfect mental image when a no muffler motorcycle or ‘pony’ assaults our ears.

Bob Wilson

 

I actually think that soundracer could be a fun toy. Purely mindless...but fun.
But I'm guessing/speculating it wouldn't work with a vehicle with a CVT or eCVT transmission, because it seems you need a transmission that "gears up" to provide the reving illusion.

With my Honda Fit, it never gears up...CVT transmission...so I'd be curious as to what it would do.

 

The first.

 

If it is following the alternator for its output, the transmission type should not matter.