Edmunds Inside Line reports, "Hybrid and electric vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius and the Tesla Roadster, may pose a deadly threat to people who rely on their hearing to cross streets, critics such as the National Federation for the Blind have charged. On Tuesday, Lotus Engineering introduced what may become a relatively inexpensive solution to the problem with its 'Safe & Sound Hybrid.'" The system, which Lotus says costs about as much as a conventional car stereo, projects the sound of a conventional engine "through waterproof speakers mounted at the front of the vehicle."
CNET explains, "Because it's just a speaker, Lotus can make any sound they want, but they've stuck to using an existing engine sound that makes the vehicle instantly recognizable, with the pitch and frequency helping to identify its distance and speed." The system can be configured to make constant noise for all-electric vehicles, or to switch off when the actual gasoline engine of a hybrid car ignites.
Because the sound is projected forward, it can't be heard once the car has passed. Lotus says it is also virtually silent to those inside the cabin.
PaulTan.Org has video of Lotus engineers testing the system on a Prius.
A similar technology is almost inevitable on future versions of the Prius and other hybrids. The federal government is reportedly considering regulations that would require the vehicles to make more noise.
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