Audible pedestrian warning noise

[OlBlueCanDo]

As many have probably noticed on current electric and hybrid vehicles, most have an odd spaceship/ethereal sound emitting from vehicles at low speeds when in EV/Electric mode.

Just wondering if the engineering powers that be have considered using this pedestrian warning noise (not sure if this is a safety requirement or not) as an opportunity to provide options/upgrades for various Scout models/trims.

For example, piping in the reminiscent idle of a vintage 345 when a Scout is coasting/decelerating below 10 mph or is at a stop.

Perhaps there's an opportunity to provide a luxury trim of this audio feature that matches accelerator pedal usage to rev sounds emitted from the external speaker with a toggle feature to only use the pedestrian warning noise and not audio for all acceleration/deceleration.

I know Hollywood has done a spoof/commentary on this in the 2011 movie The Dilemma, but it could add value to the Scout.

 

[nolen]

Maybe just a low rumbling voice that says "mmmmoooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvee"

and for Halloween it can have the Frankenstein's Monster groan!

 

[speedrye]

I don't want a spaceship or ICE sound coming from mine, but I'd be okay with something more mechanical sounding like straight-cut gears. Maybe an industrial/machine sound. Whatever it is, I wouldn't mind it changing frequency/revs a bit with speed. Pedestrians pay more attention when they hear something accelerating at them

 

[nolen]

honestly what is stuck in my head now is that old GEICO commercial with the little pig hanging out the window going "wheeeeeeeee"

 

[Garbone]

Clacking of metal treads on pavement or something close to a IH combine.

 

[Mousehunter]

I can joke, but off road tires do a pretty good job of making noise themselves.

 

[nolen]

Clacking of metal treads on pavement or something close to a IH combine.

or the old steam engines

 

[Logan]

I can joke, but off road tires do a pretty good job of making noise themselves.

True. Anyone who has ever driven with Mud Terrain tires can attest to that.

Although thankfully they are silent when stationary .

I will say, it took me a bit to get used to the the backup beeping noises of vehicles EV/PHEV vehicles. But I will say, the noise while stationary/moving slowly through a parking lot are helpful. I've had a lot of people look up/notice.

That said, my Jeeps got a straight 6, and also gets looks, as they definitely know I'm there with that .

 

[Mousehunter]

My LJ has a strait 6 AND mud grips. It is almost painful at highway speeds - even after I soundproofed the interior. Only thing that would have made it worse is having a soft top.

 

[TaconicBear]

Maybe just a low rumbling voice that says "mmmmoooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvee"

But there are times when silence is best; in a parade, in a funeral procession, working a music festival venue when in a wildlife refuge, etc.

 

[TaconicBear]

My LJ has a strait 6 AND mud grips. It is almost painful at highway speeds - even after I soundproofed the interior. Only thing that would have made it worse is having a soft top.

Actually soft tops were considered to be quieter, back in the day. Of course we didn't adhere to the lugged beast tyres fad back then either.

 

[Swantor]

The GM EV1 had a great lower volume mini beep warning option on the left hand drivers stalk. It was a nice tone of several pleasant beeps per pull that would warn pedestrians and cyclists without resorting to a road rage inducing blast from the horn. it was great for letting folks know you were there, especially in parking lots and exiting a blind alley or drive. This would be great to have on your vehicles

 

[TaconicBear]

I think the (federally required) pedestrian noise should sound like an engine and be as quiet as legally possible. If the reason you have the noise is to let blind/inattentive people know there's a car operating nearby, why would you have it sound like anything else but a car??

I'd also like the option to automatically shut it off on my property. Allow the user to manually turn it off when on private property and have the car remember that so it happens automatically next time.

I've seen on the Ioniq 5 forum where someone rigged up a remote control button to turn it off and on. It turns out the sound had its own fuse, so setting that up was straightforward. I'd worry about forgetting to turn it back on, though.

I have specifically asked for that cutout button. It should be easy to program the Scout's computer to reactivate the sound after a given time, or when the mode of driving changes - like when it shifts up from first gear when crawling in a parade or in a wildlife refuge.

 

[TaconicBear]

That's brilliant!! I love it!

I realize it's a law so automakers have no choice. Nice to see an effort to loosen it though. I think it's a dumb law that still puts the burden of not being run-over on the pedestrian instead of the driver where it belongs.

Actually, I see this as an equally shared responsibility. Distracted, oblivious, and <whatever attribute>, can be equally ascribed to both drivers and pedestrians (and cyclists, and skateboarders, etc.). Everyone has a pretty much equal responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and safe therein. And maybe just be conscious of the safety of others in their vicinity. The only real difference is that one is controlling a potentially lethal weapon.

 

[International Bulldog]

I wouldn’t mind something like a model A , Harley Davidson or maybe a radial engine. If we had to choose

 

[MountainDad]

I would take a user-selectable sound for pedestrian warning.

Some of the gimmicky ones are gimmicky...but they can be fun. I just don't want a 500W subwoofer generating a V8 rumble just because you can.

 

[J Alynn]

I would take a user-selectable sound for pedestrian warning.

Some of the gimmicky ones are gimmicky...but they can be fun. I just don't want a 500W subwoofer generating a V8 rumble just because you can.

I recently read (don’t recall where) the EV/hybrid sounds are unique to each manufacturer. Meaning all teslas sound one way and Hyundais another.
not promising that is legit but having adjustable may not actually be permitted.
Wish it could be. Like uploading songs to be your ringtone on cell phones

 

[Logan]

Ok, I have to post this.

 

[Scoutsie]

Ok, I have to post this.

That’s so clever! They nailed idling, but did they get accelerating?

 

[LastDayScout]

I think there was some early discussions about this in the design thread but certainly worth new discussions and like your idea. A quality idling sound would be a nice throw back and would be better than the space ship sounds (being dramatic here) of so many other EV’s

Yes, it was discussed a long time ago. My suggestion was a swather or combine header sound as a subtle Easter egg nod to Scout’s heritage.

 

[LastDayScout]

I recently read (don’t recall where) the EV/hybrid sounds are unique to each manufacturer. Meaning all teslas sound one way and Hyundais another.
not promising that is legit but having adjustable may not actually be permitted.
Wish it could be. Like uploading songs to be your ringtone on cell phones

It would certainly add to brand identity.