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You need some kind of engine sound, a bird chirping faster won't get pedestrians to realize that there's a car approaching. Unfortunately, we kinda associated w

You need some kind of engine sound, a bird chirping faster won't get pedestrians to realize that there's a car approaching. Unfortunately, we kinda associated whining with electric/futuristic cars - it's basically the coconut effect [0]. Additionally, you also need to be able to modulate the sound to the speed. Some manufacturers (like Porsche) get quite creative within those bounds, but it's going to be hard to create something really exotic given these constraints. [0] https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheCoconutEffect https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheCoconutEffect

rektide 4y ago
I did specifically think of birds as a pretty obvious exception. Even things like waves crashing, volcanoes bubbling, cafe chatter would have to be region specific, in case that matches the background. Limiting ourselves to abstract sounds is an interesting limitation. Had no idea that there needed to be modulation based on speed, but that totally makes sense, matches what I hear. Thanks for sharing!
- thaumasiotes 4y ago
  Cars making their normal combustion engine noises are already a serious source of noise pollution. The solution can't be to make noise pollution required by law. That's one of the stupidest ideas in the world. Stop running cars in areas that are easily accessible to pedestrians. There are already plenty of streets pedestrians have to use an overpass or underpass for. It's even safer and doesn't ruin the auditory environment.
  - jhugo 4y ago
    > Stop running cars in areas that are easily accessible to pedestrians. There are already plenty of streets pedestrians have to use an overpass or underpass for. It's even safer and doesn't ruin the auditory environment. I agree with separating cars and pedestrians better, but the solution can't be to make life harder for the pedestrians. Cities I've visited where you have to use an overpass to cross every road are awful to walk around.
  - aaaaaaaaata 4y ago
    Directed toward the roadway, and quieter? Why not?
xattt 4y ago
I am absolutely for electric cars having the sound of horse hooves set to the speed of the vehicle. A squeaking hamster wheel would come close second.

rektide 4y ago

I did specifically think of birds as a pretty obvious exception. Even things like waves crashing, volcanoes bubbling, cafe chatter would have to be region specific, in case that matches the background. Limiting ourselves to abstract sounds is an interesting limitation. Had no idea that there needed to be modulation based on speed, but that totally makes sense, matches what I hear. Thanks for sharing!

thaumasiotes 4y ago
Cars making their normal combustion engine noises are already a serious source of noise pollution. The solution can't be to make noise pollution required by law. That's one of the stupidest ideas in the world. Stop running cars in areas that are easily accessible to pedestrians. There are already plenty of streets pedestrians have to use an overpass or underpass for. It's even safer and doesn't ruin the auditory environment.
- jhugo 4y ago
  > Stop running cars in areas that are easily accessible to pedestrians. There are already plenty of streets pedestrians have to use an overpass or underpass for. It's even safer and doesn't ruin the auditory environment. I agree with separating cars and pedestrians better, but the solution can't be to make life harder for the pedestrians. Cities I've visited where you have to use an overpass to cross every road are awful to walk around.
- aaaaaaaaata 4y ago
  Directed toward the roadway, and quieter? Why not?

xattt 4y ago

I am absolutely for electric cars having the sound of horse hooves set to the speed of the vehicle. A squeaking hamster wheel would come close second.