the sound of a hybrid car
Oto-kun
Recently, there was news about the sound of hybrid cars. Because the running sound of the cars is quiet, pedestrians have difficulty hearing them approach, which is dangerous.
father
My father knows about that news too. In fact, I recently experienced not noticing a hybrid car approaching until it was quite close. I thought it could certainly be dangerous.
Oto-kun
The news reported that they tested a sound-emitting device for cars that makes a sound when approaching people.
father
It seems that there is consideration for producing sounds to alert pedestrians. People perceive their surroundings through their five senses, but especially for things they are not in contact with, they rely on visual and auditory information. However, since visual information can only be grasped within a visible range, it is necessary to confirm safety through auditory information, particularly when something like a car is approaching from behind. If the sound of an approaching vehicle, like a hybrid car, is quiet, then producing sound to alert pedestrians is, in a sense, a natural idea.
Oto-kun
However, since there are still few hybrid cars, it might be okay for cars to make noise, but when hybrids and electric vehicles become more common, it feels strange to intentionally make noise. Originally, having lower noise levels and being quieter is a good thing...
father
That might be true, as Oto said. Perhaps from now on, there will be technological efforts made to keep the environment quiet while also ensuring safety.
Oto-kun
It was said that quiet cars are a problem for visually impaired people as well, so it's not just a case of approaching from behind.
father
That's right. Have you heard of universal design, Otoha?
Oto-kun
Universal design? Is it about being barrier-free?
father
Yes, they are sometimes used with the same meaning, but the difference is best explained in the following way. First, 'barrier-free' refers to situations where the target, issues, and objectives are clear from the start, such as eliminating steps for wheelchair users. But what if the design target is a sidewalk and the users are visually impaired? Conversely, having no steps could make it scary to walk. 'Universal design' is about developing and designing with as many diverse people in mind as possible.
Oto-kun
Is it necessary to have a universal design perspective when adding 'alert sounds' to hybrid and electric vehicles?
father
That's right, ensuring safety for all individuals is one of the most important requirements of a car.
Oto-kun
In that case, it will become increasingly difficult to balance the direction of reducing noise.
father
That's where the wisdom lies. The sound that alerts you should not be a bothersome noise, in other words, it should not become a nuisance. For instance, when it comes to home appliances, a rice cooker makes a beeping sound when the rice is done cooking. These sounds that indicate the completion or operational status are called notification sounds, but they are not just random noises.
Oto-kun
Notification sound? Is the sound from the game also a notification sound?
father
In games, the sound is mostly made up of sound effects, but even so, when a player makes a mistake, a short buzzer-like sound is played to convey to the operator that the correct action was not performed. It is important to design the alert sound in such a way that its characteristics (pitch, length, timbre) evoke a certain meaning or nuance. Moreover, it should be designed so that it does not feel unpleasant to anyone who hears it.
Oto-kun
I see, the sound when passing through the automatic ticket gate at the station is a short, high-pitched beep when passage is allowed, but it becomes a ping-pong sound when passage is denied. Has the design of these alert sounds been a recent development?
father
The importance of design may have been recognized particularly in recent years. First, automated machines have flooded the streets. Additionally, things that used to operate mechanically have now become electric. It's a bit old-fashioned, but just as steam locomotives became electric trains, and gasoline engine cars became electric vehicles. Machines make sounds that correspond to their mechanical movements, but electricity does not. That might be a difficult point. I think sound design will become increasingly important.