On June 11, AAC joined Honda at CES ASIA 2019, unveiling a new automotive independent sound field control technology. The technology enables each user to have their own independent sound zone in the car. Each takes what they need in terms of sound without affecting others.
Exhibition site Photo/Sun Shuyuan
At the morning launch, Honda explained that this automotive directional sound system was developed by Honda in collaboration with AAC. The system equips the car with independent sound field control technology that, through the precise deployment of speaker positions and unique control of each speaker, controls the direction of the sound field audio for each passenger in the car, providing each passenger with a more private space.
A digital experience station was also set up at the exhibition to simulate the interior space of a car. Through AAC’s automotive independent sound field control technology, four application scenarios can be realized: driver navigation, independent music, rear cinema and front mute. In driver navigation mode, the driver is provided with real-time navigation while other users in the car are enjoying music; in independent music mode, each user can listen to their own music; in rear cinema mode, users in the rear can watch movies without affecting the driver; and in front mute mode, users in the rear can enjoy music while those in other positions can sit in silence.
Experience station Photo/Huang Chao
This is reportedly the first collaboration project between AAC and Honda Xcelerator. An R&D engineer with AAC said that the independent sound field control technology (PSZ) developed by AAC breaks the traditional model of sound sharing inside the car and truly realizes a customized sound experience for each passenger. Along with the rapid application of autonomous driving in the near future, intelligent vehicles will be able to provide more immersive multimedia content for each passenger. Sound should not only be functionally positioned as a carrier of information, but should also enable a new interactive audiovisual experience. With independent sound control technology, cars will not only become smarter, but will even make the ride more enjoyable for users!
About Honda Xcelerator
Launched in 2015, the Honda Xcelerator project aims to collaborate with companies with innovative prospects to introduce new technologies and applications. At CES ASIA 2018, Honda announced the official launch of the project in China and brought to the exhibition various innovative “black tech” developed in collaboration, while setting up experience zones for tech such as walking assistance, gesture recognition, digital scents, and holographic AR (augmented reality).
This year, Honda showcased a brand new digital interaction experience using displays, gestures and directional audio presented by AAC and Yes AR.