3D Sound Localization for Autonomous Vehicle Passenger Notifications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles lack the visual and auditory cues that human drivers provide, leading to passenger confusion and mistrust, particularly in bidirectional seating configurations where omnidirectional notifications can be ambiguous, thus deterring adoption of autonomous transportation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing three-dimensional (3D) sound technology to provide localized and targeted notifications to specific passengers within the vehicle, using computing devices and speaker systems to mimic natural sound waves and associate specific sounds with events, enhancing passenger interaction and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If omnidirectional notifications are used in bidirectional seating configurations, then all passengers can hear the notification, but the notification becomes ambiguous and confusing for specific passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing sound notifications to specific local zones within the vehicle cabin rather than omnidirectional projection. The system identifies the location of specific passengers and projects sound waves to create localized auditory zones, ensuring that each passenger receives notifications intended for them without confusion from other passengers' notifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the vehicle interior into multiple acoustic zones corresponding to different passenger locations. By dividing the sound field into distinct spatial segments, the system can independently control and direct notifications to specific zones, eliminating the ambiguity that occurs when all passengers receive the same omnidirectional notification simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If autonomous vehicles provide minimal visual and auditory cues, then the vehicle design remains simple, but passenger trust and understanding decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sound projection system that acts as a mediator between the autonomous vehicle's control systems and the passengers. This intermediary layer translates vehicle status and intentions into localized auditory communications that passengers can understand, building trust without requiring complex visual displays or extensive system modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or omnidirectional audio notification systems with a sophisticated sound projection system that uses acoustic wave manipulation. This substitution enables precise directional sound delivery without requiring physical movement of speakers or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, maintaining system simplicity while enhancing communication effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If traditional omnidirectional speakers are used, then the speaker system remains simple, but notifications are too ambiguous for multiple passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional omnidirectional sound projection to three-dimensional localized sound field creation. By adding the spatial dimension of sound localization, the system can direct notifications to specific passengers in bidirectional seating configurations, providing notification specificity without requiring a complete overhaul of the speaker system architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of 3D sound technology clarifies notifications, increases passenger trust and comfort, and facilitates safer interaction with autonomous vehicles by providing clear, personalized auditory cues, thereby encouraging the adoption of autonomous transportation.
Implementation Method 1
cause the 3D sound to be output by the speaker system based at least in part on the signal, the 3D sound, when output by the speaker system, configured to cause the passenger to perceive the 3D sound as being emitted from a second location
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for utilizing three-dimensional (3D) sound for passenger notification are described herein. Computing device(s) onboard a vehicle can determine an occurrence of an event associated with a passenger of the vehicle or the vehicle, and can determine a 3D sound associated with the event. Then, the computing device(s) can send a signal associated with the 3D sound to a speaker system inside of the vehicle and, responsive to receiving the signal, one or more speakers of the speaker system can output the 3D sound such that a sound associated with the 3D sound is perceived to be localized relative to the passenger in the vehicle.